UPages

Jamie Nemec Unit Plan Genre Study


 * 1) The three unit plans I chose to study are 1) Identity: Coming to Know One’s Self Through Literature for 7th grade 2) The Exploration of Self Within Society for 9th grade and 3) Who Am I?: A Unit of Self-Discovery Through Literature for 11th grade.
 * 2) I chose these three unit plans because they each represent a common theme of discovering one’s self identity, which is an important lesson for growing, learning students. The lesson plans range across age, so I found it interesting to discover how each unit plan adjusts accordingly.
 * 3) Of the three unit plans, I like 3 the best. This may be a bias opinion since 11th grade is the ideal level I hope to teach some day. But I also believe it is the most relative since around this time students are considering which college or work force they will join after graduation. When being faced with such a substantial decision, it is essential that students are well aware of their identity through not only literature, but society as well. It is most easily adapted to a real world situation.
 * 4) If I could choose one unit plan to change it would be unit plan 1. This unit plan is well thought out and can be effectively taught to 7th grade, however lacks a few essential qualities. There is no table of contents to refer to throughout the unit. There is also no list of unit goals. While the goals may be obvious through other categories of the unit, it is still important to have the list obvious to students. This unit plan could cause complications for a substitute teacher.
 * 5) A major common characteristic between these unit plans is the rationale. I find this to be an important quality in unit plans because both the teacher and students must recognize why it is important to learn the lessons they do. Otherwise, learning is handicapped on both ends. A common trait between unit plans 2 and 3 is a list of overall unit goals. This is also an important trait in a unit plan because it allows students and teachers to recognize what the students must achieve by the conclusion of the unit. All three include references and materials to help the teacher stay organized through out the unit, as well as an introductory activity to help reel in the interest of their students.
 * 6) The similarities between these unit plans can be attributed to successful, experienced teachers. Each unit plan is well structured with appropriate activities for their age groups. However, it is also the age groups that can account for some of the differences in the unit plans. I trust that each teacher has written the unit based on their knowledge of the age group.
 * 7) If I were to create a list of criteria for the structure of unit plans I would list “Organization” including coherence, table of contents, time management. I would also list “Content” including goals, material, lessons. Third, I would include Assessment, ensuring that the goals were achieved in an appropriate manor.
 * 8) Looking at the three different unit plans, I can conclude that the English Language Arts curriculum should not be overly dependent on a strict regime. Since it can be a rather subjective course, it is important to accept the possibility of class discussion veering away from the original plan. Allowing the students freedom in what they wish to explore in the subject matter is what makes good instructional practice. Students should be capable of analyzing the material and relating it to their own matters and life.
 * 9) and 10. Through the attitudes of these lesson plans, I discover that these Language Arts teachers appreciate freedom of choice in learning and collaboration with others, each of these being very essential in any learning environment. Not only are students learning the classroom material, but are also being exposed to real life situations.