Context:
This is an interdisciplinary unit entitled “Cultures Around the World: Harvest Festivals” and will be used for first graders. This unit was created at Appalachian State University, Fall 2007, under the advisement of Dr. Diane Marks. It was taught at
Impact:
After completing this unit, students will understand how various cultures have similar festivals, all of which celebrate the harvest.
Social Studies - First Grade
Competency Goal 4: The learner will explain different celebrated holidays and special days in communities.
4.01 Recognize and describe religious and secular symbols/celebrations associated with special days of diverse cultures
Language Arts - First Grade Alignment: Standard 7: Elementary teachers use developmentally appropriate strategies to design and deliver instruction in all areas of the elementary curriculum. Indicator 1: Teachers development and implement the pacing and alignment of curriculum that is consistent with the NCSCOS, LEA standards and pacing guides, and national standards in all subjects’ areas. When creating my unit, I first thought of a concept that was in alignment with the NCSCOS for Social Studies, and cultures were the perfect choice. My next step was to find as many books as possible that could be integrated into the unit. My students will be reading about the harvest festivals of various cultures. Indicator 2: Teachers understand and use an interdisciplinary approach to teaching by connecting and integrating language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, healthful living, and arts concepts and process, with appropriate technologies to enhance their teaching This unit uses an interdisciplinary approach to incorporate social studies, language arts, and science to teach students about harvest festivals around the world. The science aspect of the integration will come when we discuss the season of harvest and the effect it has. Indicator 3: Teachers promote new learning by using students’ prior knowledge, misconceptions, and interests when designing learning. Indicator 4: Teachers implement a variety of teaching and communication strategies for instruction. This unit will include a variety of teaching and communicating strategies for instruction. My students will work primarily in centers and small groups to complete this unit. However, direct instruction and independent instruction will also be incorporated into the learning environment. Indicator 6: Teachers modify instruction and assessments to meet the needs of individual students. The class in which this lesson will be taught, has many diverse learners. I will modify my lesson plans to accommodate those students. The unit’s instructions and assessments will be modified to meet the needs of students who have trouble in reading, who are below grade level, and who have English as their second language. Indicator 7: Teachers develop and use a variety of formal and alternative assessment strategies as an integral part of instruction and learning appropriate for assessing individual, peer, team, and collaborative skills. My instruction is going to vary from day to day, in order to accommodate the various learning styles of my students. Likewise, my assessments, both formal and informal, will continue with these variations. It is very important to use a variety of assessment strategies, in order to reach the needs of all your students.
Competency Goal 2: The learner will develop and apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
2.03 Read and comprehend both fiction and nonfiction text appropriate for grade one using:
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