The Giving Tree Lesson by Mary Anne Pacis-Lizares and Aleah Lombardi

Lesson: The Giving Tree

SELF-REFLECTION: Teaching Language Arts

Reflection of your lesson:

            The lesson that Aleah and I delivered on Friday, April 12 was great.  I think the lesson went well for the adults in our class even though he/she had to misbehave and act like third graders.  I must admit I was nervous because these were my own peers but I had to come in to a state of mind where I would have to deal with each individual as seven to eight years old.  I feel that “The Giving Tree” lesson was one of my “baby”- I made sure that the lesson was detailed and on point.  I wanted to prepare the lesson as to where anyone who may read it, he/she will not have a problem reading and be able to teach the lesson too without any problem.  This is one of my favorite lessons that I had to create, prepare, and teach. 

How did you prepare?

            As for preparation, I had to pick a partner in the class.  I picked Aleah instead of one of my friends in the class.  I believe that was a great choice to work with someone that I barely even know.  Although some may think that is challenging because you do not know the personality of the person, but I beg to differ.  I like new ideas and getting to know someone new all the time.  Meeting and working with a new person in my opinion is great because I know I can always learn or get great ideas from someone new.  After Aleah and I agreed to work together, I was very persistent on using The Giving Tree as a book to work our lesson on.  We discussed ideas and collaborated, then that resulted a successful and well-delivered lesson.

Explain the objective(s) and assessment measures of your lesson.

(*You can add the lesson as an attachment if you choose)

“Objective(s):

SWBAT to create a leaf project using linking words and phrases (because, therefore, since,) to connect opinions and reasons.

Assessment:

Formative:

1.  Teacher will observe the students reactions to the story.

2.  Teacher will ask questions to the students about the story, and the linking words and phrases. (See procedure numbers 4 and 7.)

3.  Teacher will observe the students to make sure they are responding correctly to the writing activity, and to the leaf class work project.

4.  Teachers will circulate around the room while the students are working independently.

            Summative:

1.     Teachers will use the rubric to assess the leaf class work project.

2.     Students will be graded, and should meet the 4 out of the 5 criteria with a “ (= ”.  If not, the teacher will provide one-on-one assistance to student(s).”

The objective of this lesson was to create a leaf project using linking words and/or phrases to connect opinions or reason as to why the student(s) picked whomever the person may be his/her giving tree just like the book we had plan to present to the class.  The assessment that Aleah and I came up with is basically what we wanted to do as acting teachers, these are some guidelines that will direct us to hit off our objectives thoroughly and effectively.

Was your lesson plan executed exactly as it was written?

            The lesson that Aleah and I planned was executed firmly but exactly maybe not in order, although Aleah and I tackled everything we had in mind to do and written so that the lesson will make sense to the students too.

What was the most important thing you tried to teach your “students”?

            The most important thing I tried to teach my students was making sure that all students were in the same page in the project by doing so I had to implement or make sure that all of the students understood and followed the directions.

How do you think it went?

            The lesson was exactly how Aleah and I had planned it and I believe it went pretty well as for my first time writing or creating a lesson with a partner along with dealing with behavior issues.  It was a great challenge and a fun experience.

What did you learn from your students?

            I learned a lot from my students because all students have different capabilities, attitudes, mentalities, and behaviors.  As a teacher, I have to be firm in sticking to what I say and mean it to the class.  Also, I need to make sure that I have an open mind and be mentally prepared to what students have in store for me in class day by day.

What would you have done differently?

            Differently?  I think I’d like to make sure to keep an eye on the time more and have the classroom set up well because of the seating arrangement we had in the our class.  There were too many chairs and in an elementary school the classroom will have tables.

How could you have made the lesson even more effective?

            For the lesson to be more effective, I should have gone over the linking verbs a little bit more so that the students can have a little bit more knowledge of what the SWAT was suppose to be in class.  Therefore, my follow-up lesson is to look back on what was not clear and teach it the next day.

What do you think you need to improve or do differently?

            Perhaps, as for improvement I would like to teach another lesson and have a better time management because I can get carried away when teaching a lesson.  I am not to sure what I could have done differently but I am open to suggestions.