Judith D. Dixon
The students will learn through a multisensory approach. The unit will integrate social studies, language arts, and reading. Students will read novels centered around African American and Latino stories involving family as well as individuals; utilizing a variety of reading strategies through teacher guided instruction, and read aloud stories and poems. Biographies will be completed by students through oral and written presentations. This will give a clear indication of what my students strengths are. In pursuing a multiple sensory approach I will gear my lessons toward a kinesthic and visual-spatial approach for lessons involving art, music, and poetry. In using this approach the students who have difficulties with written communication skills will have the opportunity to participate and contribute to the lesson. For discussion lessons I will use the verbal-linguistic approach. Many special education students struggle in this area. They have a difficult time processing information. Sometimes it takes awhile for their brain to piece things together.
In order to evaluate whether my unit was successful I will conduct teacher observations throughout different lessons. How did the students respond to the information? Were there any connections made between what knowledge they acquired about the ethnic group that we studied? Measurable evaluation will consist of the students' written responses to teacher-made questions from novels and content area. The library media specialist and teacher will collaborate together to formulate a rubric to address all the students' needs. My class is comprised of regular and special education students. Oral reports will be observed and evaluated by the teacher. There will be four areas where points will be earned: information, eye contact, diction, and creativity, (for the oral reports).
In pairs they will research projects on New Haven history, immigration of ethnic groups with assistance from the library media specialist. Geography lessons will focus on mapping and locating important places. Students will explore various types of art, creating their own murals. They will view a variety of different movies critiquing and creating their own short play. Another hands-on activity will be cultural suitcases. Students will interview family members and present their findings to the class. Working in groups fosters a peer-tutor relationship, collaboration and helping the special-needs students to be successful.
