Upper Literature Field Portfolio
Throughout my Upper Literature class, I worked on creating a unit plan for fifth grade students that went along with the book A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. Below is a portfolio of the projects and lesson plans I made for this unit.
*Student names are blurred for safety.*
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About the Field
Where: Hillview Elementary School
What: Unit Plan for A Long Walk to Water
Why: Learning how to plan and teach a full length upper literature unit plan to students
Field Information: 11 days (1.5 hours each day), 2 students, 5th grade
Lesson Plan
Click the PDF below to view my lesson plan!
Lesson Artifacts
Miss Kilfoyle's Favorites
Here are some of my favorite projects we worked on throughout the unit!
Unit Plan
Assessment
I chose to make an assessment that encompasses the most important topics covered throughout the unit - including main ideas, themes, vocabulary, characters, plot, and setting. I used Kahoot to create a fun and engaging assessment that will help the students celebrate the knowledge they gained while reading the book.
Lessons Learned Throughout this Experience
As I finish the unit plan experience, I find it valuable to take time to reflect on how it went. One of the most important lessons I learned throughout teaching this unit plan was that you have to be ready to adapt. Things you have planned may take longer, and that's okay! Some lessons may go way quicker than you anticipated, and you have to be ready with things to do when there is extra time. Some students may struggle on things that you did not anticipate, so be flexible and willing to spend more time with that student to help them understand the content.
I have also found the importance of letting students struggle. When students take time trying to answer questions on their own, they overcome challenges and learn more about themselves. Give students time to think and learn on their own, and when you notice students are having a hard time, guide them in the right direction through thoughtful discussion. You don't have to give away all the answers right away!
Students may relate to books in different ways than you did and that's okay! Allow students to express how they interpreted the book and give them a voice. Provide a safe learning environment for students so they know that all thoughts are valued and accepted.
As a whole, I think the unit plan was a great experience that allowed me to grow as a future educator. I was able to find activities that worked well and engaged my students in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.