1. Jessica James
CI 350 W 12:30-1:45
Assure Holiday Traditions
Analyze Learners- There are eleven girls and nine boys in my class of 4th
graders with a total of
twenty students. None of my students have disabilities but they are all culturally diverse. Two of
my students are Muslims, three are Jewish, and two are African Americans. My 4th
grade
students have previous knowledge in working with computers and researching material. They
know how to organize information and work in small groups together. Most of my students
prefer to work in groups and collaborate together. They all do well with hands on activities but
some of them excel with oral and written communication. My 4th
graders prefer watching videos
but they do not have a problem with reading the assigned material of the day.
State Objectives- My 4th
grade students will present the activities of Earth Day by the end of the
unit. The class will watch a video on the significance of Earth Day. The students will then be
placed in groups of four to research various topics pertaining to the holiday through WebQuest,
blogs, YouTube, and podcasts. They will then present their findings to the class through a
storytelling video, YouTube video, or slideshow along with a poster. They will participate in
hands on activities by making handmade bird feeders and learning the process of making
compost. On the last day of the unit, the class will work with the local greenhouse by planting
trees and flowers along the side of the school and cleaning up the playground to demonstrate the
importance of keeping our earth clean. By the end of the Earth Day unit, my class will know the
traditions and various activities of this holiday with 100 percent accuracy.
Select Methods, Materials, and Media- The education method of this unit is large group
instruction followed by small hands on activities and group research. The students will then use
the school’s library and computers to research their given topics and to complete their
WebQuests. The students will have access to poster board, pencils, markers, and personal
interviews to successfully complete their group assignments. They will also be given the time to
listen to various podcasts and read blogs. During school, they will have access to video cameras
to complete their group video or cameras to complete their slideshow.
Utilize Media and Materials- The video shown at the beginning of the lesson will be previewed
and the students will be given a list of appropriate websites and books to research for their group
activities. Before they give their presentation, I will make sure that all of their findings are
appropriate. The materials needed for the group research presentation will be laid out at the back
of the classroom for the students use. The materials for the bird feeder craft and the compost
exhibit will also be prepared before the start of the class period. The TV monitor, DVD player
and video will be in working order before the students view the video. The desks in the class
room will be divided into groups of four to accommodate the group learning. The library will
have enough computers for half of the class to use while the rest of the students read books. To
prepare my students for their upcoming lesson, I will conduct a class discussion on what they
already know about Earth Day. We will discuss what we will be doing throughout the lesson and
how they should approach their research and interviews. We will then discuss the activities that

2. they will participate in on the last day of the unit. The classroom and library will be well prepped
for the students to successfully learn about this unit. The TV monitor will be placed in the front
of the classroom so each student and see it and the computers will be equipped with the
appropriate software needed.
Require Learner Participation- On the first day of the unit, the class will discuss as a whole,
their current knowledge on Earth Day. They will then watch a video on the significance Earth
Day. Throughout the entire lesson, there will be various group lectures and activities. The class
will learn how to make compost and bird feeders together with individual help if needed.. On the
last day of the unit, the class will work together on some of the outdoor activities planned. The
class will be divided into small groups of four to research their given topics on Earth Day. They
will remain with their groups throughout their research, presentation, and analysis of the other
student’s presentations. Towards the end of the week, each group will present their group project
to the class. They will have the opportunity to work in small groups or pairs when working with
the local greenhouse for the outdoor activity.
Evaluate and Revise- At the beginning of the unit, I will assess my class’s previous knowledge
by leading a group discussion. Throughout the small group assignment, I will stop by each
individual group to ask questions about what they are learning and how their research is going.
During their presentation, I will grade each student and group with a rubric and compile a group
score along with an individual score.