Teaching Materials

 Based on what I learned about the material while creating project examples, I began to consider which lessons were needed and how to sequence them in a way that allowed me to scaffold the student’s learning. With this in mind, I developed the following 5-lesson sequence. 

The collaboration with PS 329Q marks the first time I had the chance to work directly with 4th and 5th-grade students, teaching lessons I developed based on a chosen theme. Co-teaching with another Pratt student, we committed to delivering two-hour-long lessons every Monday and Thursday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. In February 2024, there were approximately 16 students that participated in this afterschool program. They were divided into two groups to accommodate the simultaneous teaching sessions, with each group led by a pair of teachers each teaching separate units. Below is the presentation I created to support my teaching while at the program. 

Through the opportunity to teach my 5-sequenced lessons at the afterschool program, I gained valuable insights into both the strengths and weaknesses of my 5-lesson sequence unit plan. Recognizing the areas that needed improvement and those that were effective, I seized the chance to refine and expand upon my original plan. By incorporating additional lessons, I addressed the gaps I identified within the initial framework while enhancing student learning and comprehension.

The supplementary lessons not only reinforce the main learning objectives of the original plan but also provide ample space for deeper critical thinking, further project development, and a heightened emphasis on fostering trust in the classroom through culturally responsive pedagogy. Below, I present the revised 14-lesson unit plan sequence, which reflects these enhancements and refinements.