REFLECTION ON CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS UNIT
BY CARMI KOWALEWSKI
I worked with two classes of fifth grade students. We went to the computer lab and each child had there own computer for independent work completing the diary entry but they worked in groups of three for reading the book, predicting, and determining the personality characteristics of Columbus.
This unit was developed by expanding on an existing unit. In some ways, I think this was harder because I had to try to work in the constraints of the existing unit. In one sense, it was a bit easier because many of the learning activities were developed and has been used with students.
I developed the cyber lesson based on one of the books that I had found that I thought all the children in that grade could read without assistance. I then followed the format given and plugged my activities into the format. I am familiar with power point so this was not an issue for me. I did find that I developed the cyber lesson but had made it too involved and time consuming. Since I was ‘borrowing’ classrooms, I realized I had to pare down the activities to try to complete the cyber lesson in a 45-60 minute period. The children can visit the website (beyond reading) on their next computer room visit. Our computer technician also put it on the server so they can access it from their classroom computer in their free time.
1. How did you implement your cyber lesson? (small group, whole group, posted on the Internet to be done at home? Individually, as a learning center etc.) I introduced my cyber lesson to the whole group but the cyber lesson also requires the children to work in small groups and individually.
2. How did your students respond to the project? The students seemed to enjoy the project. They were engaged in the lesson and liked to click on the links.
3. Strengths? The lesson was interesting to the students. They loved the idea of a cyber lesson. There were plenty of activities to keep them busy. Working in groups allowed the children to use their strengths for their team’s advantage.
4. Weaknesses? Some of the language I used was unfamiliar to the children. I changed “Preview the text… “ to “Look at the pictures”. They also seemed unaware that what a character says can give you insight to what they are thinking. The lesson really would take two class periods to complete and the children had less background knowledge than I had previously thought. More pre-teaching of skills is necessary to lay the ground work for successful completion.
5. How would you modify the way in which you implemented the project to make it more successful? I plan to implement the lesson again with another class. I reworded some of my instructions, added another document for them to link to. I plan to do the before reading and during reading activity (where they work with the book) in the classroom since they only have 45 minutes in the computer lab each week. I want them to spend the bulk of that time on the computer when they are in there.
6. Recommendations? When planning a cyber lesson, be sure to take careful consideration of each particular class. I do not work in the fifth grade, but know my fourth graders could have done what I had originally asked (before I made changes). I have to remember not to assume that because they are a grade older that they have had the same experiences and understandings as those I already work with. I should have worked more closely with the classroom teacher before presenting since he knows his children better than me.