Context: I created and taught this unit in Martha Saffer's sixth grade class at Blue Ridge Elementary.  I collaborated with Ms. Saffer and two of my university professors to develop this collection of lessons.  I also explored the internet for ideas, but many of the activities and lessons are completely original.

Impact: I will constantly be planning and teaching units in my classroom.  I will rely on veteran teachers, information sources like the internet, and my own creativity to develop fun, integrated lessons that my students will enjoy.

Standard 7

• Indicator 1 because my lesson plans include reference to the standard course of study.  In each lesson, multiple subject areas have been integrated, and the pacing and alignment of the entire unit is consistent with the SCOS. 
• Indicator 2 because each lesson combines skills from many different subjects, including Social Studies, Technology, Science, Art, Language Arts and Math.  The interdisciplinary nature of my unit allows students to make connections between subjects and ideas, and appeals to a variety of learning styles.
• Indicator 3 because I used the information I gathered about the students' prior knowledge to guide our discussions about the subjects.  We discussed how our misconceptions and stereotypes had changed, and I utilized their suggestions about what interested them to plan future lessons.
• Indicator 4 because I used a variety of teaching strategies throughout the unit to appeal to a variety of learning styles.  I utilized whole-class discussions, small group discusssions, learning through artwork and poetry, using technology and individual journal responses.  This way, both auditory and visual learners were reached during each lesson.
• Indicator 7 because I used a variety of assessment strategies to track the progress of each student.  My assessments included a K/W/L, a whole-class Jeopardy game, a found poem that required them to work collaboratively as a group, an initial (individual) formal assessment, a final (individual) formal assessment, and daily journal entries.