Women's History Month

Title of Project: Women's History Month

Schools and Teachers

Charles E. Schwarting Teachers: Anthony Romano & Stefanina Guttilla

ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology

Entering, Transitioning, Expanding | Stand-Alone | 4W2, 4W6, 5SL5 | Buncee

Assessment

Formative & Summative: Students will be able to accurately answer “who, what, when, where, and why” about the person they researched on their Buncee and show evidence as to how the person they chose persisted within the context of their lives.

Description

This unit is centered around Women’s History Month which is in March. Students will choose one woman from their country of origin. They will use a graphic organizer to create a biography. Students will then use the organizer to create a Buncee which will then be presented. All women chosen will be women who have overcome difficulties to achieve their goals. Within that context the vocabulary word “persisted” will be taught. This lesson is meant to empower students and teach others about their culture and history.

Content

I can use “who, what, when, where, and why” to describe the historical background of an inspirational woman from my country.

Language

I can understand and use the word persistent in context and explain how my inspirational figure was persistent in her life. I can use grade level academic vocabulary.

Technology

I can create a biography in BUNCEE describing the details of my individual’s life. I will do this by using both pictures and words.

Student work


Procedure

The students were introduced to the idea after listening to the story “ She Persisted Around the World” by Chelsea Clinton. Students had the opportunity to search the web to find an inspirational woman from their country. Students were encouraged to find individuals who have made cultural contributions and encouraged change throughout their life such as writers, poets, artists, actresses, politicians etc. After choosing, students outlined a biography of their inspirational woman on a graphic organizer. After they had enough information they were able to proceed with the Buncee portion of the project.

Resources and Other Materials

  • The students used the Title III iPads and the app Buncee to complete this project.

Reflection

The broader topic of culture was difficult at first as there were so many different ways to go. However, we really wanted to steer away from the more typical areas of culture and focus on things that the students had less familiarity with. We felt the topic of choosing cultural figures empowered the students to not only be proud of their cultural identities but explore areas of social studies that have yet to be addressed. This idea was driven home even further by the fact that students chose women. This lesson had many challenges and successes. Other than the beginning lessons, which were really instructional and directive, the unit was almost entirely student centered. The student centered instruction really drove the student’s motivation. There was an intrinsic desire to find out information regarding these individuals. There had to be a bit of guidance in terms of the research and eventually once students found the resources they wanted to use, the texts were modified for their use. The technology enabled a learning opportunity for everyone. The students enjoyed learning the tricks of Buncee with me instead of just teaching it to them. It was a very explorative environment. When engaged in their work conversation tends to stop so there needed to be a time to stop and collaborate verbally so the students were engaging with one another. Interestingly enough, some students who did not have strong communication skills had strong technology skills. Thus, this served as an empowering moment for the student as he was able to teach his peers. Stemming from these situations, his peers were able to provide the language for him so that he can communicate what he was doing on the Ipad. Overall it was a unit that was successful. The students and the teachers enjoyed its open ended topic of culture and its direct relationship to cultural diversity. This lesson would be great to revisit and build upon within the coming year.