Here I was tasked with writing a lesson that was differentiated for my students, but not in the content, in the product. Students were to be graded on quality of their work not the quantity.
Standards:
SL.CCR 1 Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
SL.4.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
Objectives:Students will participate in discussions about the text with classmates Students will build on one another’s comments and questions about the text
Rubric:
Participation
(SL.4.1)
Met with Strength: Students are actively participating by commenting to peers posts in a positive and cohesive manner
Met: Students are participating by commenting on peers posts in a positive and somewhat cohesive manner
Not Met: Students are participating by commenting on peers’ posts. Comments may be basic or impolite
Building on Comments
(SL.4.1)
Met with Strength: Students comment or ask questions back to their peers by adding on with the same topic/idea, extending their thinking in a cohesive manner
Met: Students comment or ask questions back to their peers by adding on with a similar topic/idea in a cohesive manner
Not Met: Students comment or ask questions back to their peers adding on with a different topic/idea
Activity:The district I am in uses Lucy Caulkins for reading and writing. One unit involves students participating in group work to read a book. Students will be put into groups to read a book or passage at their independent reading level. Students will be participating in discussion about their book, some questions and discussion topics will be given to them. Students are in charge of choosing their medium for discussion, as a group. They can use a classroom/group blog provided for them, in person discussion, or do some sort of video or voice recording discussion. This will continue for the entirety of the unit, or book if they decide to change the medium for the next text read.
Reflection: This task was a bit challenging for me, as I usually work with second graders, but since they have not been exposed to technology much, I was hesitant to make a lesson for them. I think that allowing students to converse about text in a way that is easiest and fun for them will allow them to be more creative in their discussions.