Ms. Judith Dixon
I am a special education teacher at East Rock Global Magnet School. I teach in a fifth grade inclusion classroom. The curriculum is adapted to meet the academic needs required for special needs students. Literacy is the major focus in our school system. Literacy addresses reading, writing and speaking. In my unit the choices of literature will reflect the past and present issues in African American History. The children will read and discuss in creative ways what the author is trying to convey to the audience. Literacy is vital to a child's growth. It opens up a whole new world when they're able to read and be able to understand what they've read.
I will center my literature on the Underground Railroad, Civil Rights Era, and the book entitled,
Through My Eyes
by Ruby Bridges
There are discrepancies and a lack of factual information in regard to African American History. I will choose two or three movies, and let the children go beyond what was presented during these movies through reading additional literature and researching various topics presented. In order to better interpret the movie and gain a better understanding of race and ethnicity, my students will compare and contrast the information presented in the movie(s) versus non-fictional literature.
In fifth grade, the students are required to write all the time. They learn how to write expository essays. In order to address the speaking and writing aspects of literacy, I will introduce the students to various pieces of art, which depict African American Historical moments in history. They'll be introduced to Jacob Lawrence's pieces called, "The Migration Series" and "Harriet Tubman Series," along with Faith Ringgold's pieces on the Quilts. They will in turn write to explain what the piece of art means to them, and make an oral presentation to the class on their findings. They will create their own artwork, and try to collectively create a quilt of their own interpretation. The lessons I plan to create will teach them how the artist develops his/her paintings, and chooses textures and materials to be used on various backgrounds. These will include reading and writing lesson plans as well as hands on activities.
I will modify the methods that I learn in this seminar and teach them to my children. It will enable them to be better equipped to critique different forms of art, and to decipher the accuracy of the information presented.
In the past few years, the State and the New Haven School District have implemented standards that measure a student's performance. Teaching methodologies have been challenged. Teachers have had to change their teaching strategies. What once was the ideal method has become none existent. All students must take the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT). There are standards and objectives that must be covered in fifth grade.
What has occurred most often is that we score below state standards. Students need the exposure to many facets of learning , to a variety of people and places. Knowledge of the world around them will minimize the gaps of learning and application.
The unit will include the following sections:
I. Timeline History
-
A. American Revolution
-
B. Underground Railroad
-
C. Civil rights Movement
-
II. African American Media
-
A. Review of age appropriate videos relating to the Underground Railroad
-
B. Civil Rights Era
-
C. Present day life in the City - "Finding Forrester" Video
-
III. Literature
-
A. Explore the short stories of Faith Ringgold - Aunt Harriett's Underground Railroad in the Sky; Dinner At Aunt Connie's House
-
B. Explore the story - Freedom Crossing
-
C. Life story of Ruby Bridges
-
D. Present day life in the City - June Bug, Tar Beach
-
IV. Art
-
A. Explore and research works of Faith Ringgold
-
____
1. Quilts
-
B. Explore the works of Jacob Lawrence
-
____
1. Migration Series
-
____
2. Harriet Tubman Series
*In collaboration with the Art Teacher - the students will learn about different types of paints and brushes used on various types of canvases or fabrics.
The following CMT objectives are included in this unit, as well as New Haven's District Standards.
