Week 7 Mid Planning Thoughts

The work has began for Team 6's unit plan regarding recycling. To divide the work, we both stuck with what we knew, so that this unit is a viable resource for me to use with my students. This planning has been quite interesting as I have never worked with a media specialist and the students that I teach will be new to Theresa. I found it very important to explain thoroughly to her what my classroom was really like so that the media specialist lesson would be something that is beneficial for my students and not frustrating for her. My students, although between the ages of 14 and 16 are labeled as moderately cognitively impaired. So that means that they have an I.Q of no more than about 58. I have a "rainbow" of students. Some can read, many can not; some can speak, some can not, many can write, some can not, etc. This can be frustrating because there are limits in what my students can do for projects without direct help. This also is interesting in the aspects of assessment because how do you assess someone with the abilities and comprehension of a pre-schooler? Well this is the challenge that we both face.

I will be outlining the unit content and Theresa will supplement not only with project ideas but with lessons on how to teach technology to students. We both will offer suggestions for activities. I mentioned to Theresa that my students are quite visual and any resource that shows the real-life component of what they are doing will develop their comprehension and improve retention. My students are also very hands-on and this will be reflected in the unit as well. We decided to focus on one literacy/core standand per week, as repetition is quite necessary for my students. However, a pre-assessment will be developed to aid in the development of an assessment for the finished project that will be a powerpoint presentation. My students have limited experience with using such tools but there is an excitement in developing a lesson in which they can express their own thoughts and comprehension.

I know this collaboration will open a whole new world for my students. If you don't know how to read, why is a library of any importance to you? Well it is and this collaboration will show that the place with books, is more than just a place with books. It is a resource that can help you express thoughts and ideas, in addition to increasing your comprehension of the world around you.