During Block 4, we were asked to work in small groups and create an inclusive unit plan integrating English Language Arts lessons with Fine Arts. My groupmates and I chose to develop a unit plan for Grade 1 level English Language Arts that had cross-curricular connections to Visual Arts, ADST, Music, Social Studies, and Physical and Health Education. You can find it posted below!
We also developed an “explainer” detailing how students with diverse, complex needs could be meaningfully included in this unit. When we began this project, we were given details about three hypothetical students with diverse needs — Ryan, Peter, and Cassandra. We developed our unit plan with their needs in mind. I will post the explainer below shortly!
I always enjoyed math as a student, but I recognize that math is not an enjoyable subject for all learners. I am grateful that over the course of Block 4 we spent time exploring how to make math creative, engaging, and less intimidating for students. I think that nurturing the mathematical wellness of all students is a worthwhile and helpful endeavour. Math is everywhere so making math more approachable to my students is something I feel will be important in my practice. Whether its ensuring I use the proper mathematical vocabulary for directions during Art instruction or making manipulatives available to my students as they explore new mathematical concepts or making patterned Mandelas from materials found in nature, there are so many fun, different ways to encourage mathematical thinking!
One activity I am excited to put to use in the classroom next school year is constructing flexagons. Flexagons are a fun paper craft that has a variety of applications. They could be used from grades 3-6 to support students’ understanding of 3D shapes, triangles, angles, perimeter, area, volume, transformations, and patterns. They could be made during Math or Art depending on the approach. Students get to create a product that they can use as a visual aid and play with! Creating a flexagon requires careful, precise cutting and folding so they also create an opportunity to develop refined fine motor skills in a way that feels more grown up. I have included step-by-step directions and a template for making a flexagon. Just click on the PDF below!
During Block 3 of the program, we were asked to complete 3 hours of professional development related to literacy. The particular focus of the professional development was left up to our discretion. I am interested in increasing students’ vocabulary and weaving English Langauge Arts lessons into how other subjects like Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, etc are taught. With that in mind, I chose to attend an online seminar through Really Great Reading. It provided a great foundation for connecting vocabulary instruction with the Science of Reading. I’m glad I selected it! You can read my reflections on the seminar below by clicking on the PDF.
