Assessment 3: Integrated English Language Arts Unit Plan
Assessment 3: Integrated English Language Arts Unit Plan:
In the undergraduate secondary English Language Arts program, students to teach are prepared to teach in high school English placements. One of the primary and initial forms of assessment is the integrated English Language Arts Unit Plan, a unit plan that incorporates knowledge of students and curriculum with the NCTE standards for effective English Language Arts instruction. This unit plan is the culmination of the senior methods course, and, as such, reflects student learning in the following standards:
Content Pedagogy: Planning Literature and Reading Instruction in ELA
Standard III: Candidates plan instruction and design assessments for reading and the study of literature to promote learning for all students.
Content Pedagogy: Planning Writing and Composition Instruction in ELA
Standard IV: Candidates plan instruction and design assessments for composing texts (i.e., oral, written, and visual) to promote learning for all students.
Learners and Learning: Implementing English Language Arts Instruction
Standard V: Candidates plan, implement, assess, and reflect on research-based instruction that increases motivation and active student engagement, builds sustained learning of English language arts, and responds to diverse students’ context-based needs.
The unit plan is evaluated with a rubric aligned to the new NCTE standards, specifically focusing on how the unit meets standards in planning literature and reading instruction, planning writing and composition, and implementing planned lessons. Students complete a version of the unit plan in the senior methods course, then revise for implementation during the student teaching placement.
Expectations for 2-Week (10 day) Curricular Unit:
*Note: These should not necessarily be completed in the order listed. It would make sense to begin with your overall goal or objective, consult the standards for the grade of interest, and then begin crafting activities and a reading schedule. The parent/guardian letter will be easier to write after you have completely thought through the unit itself.
1. Two page contextual analysis of the classroom and school in which you are completing your practicum. Use this as the context for the unit you imagine teaching.
2. An overall goal or objective for the unit modeled after Wiggins and McTighe's Understanding by Design framework of essential questions.
Questions to consider:
a. What are the key skills and ideas you want your students to understand after completing this unit?
b. How can I best teach those skills in a creative and cohesive manner?
c. How does this objective align with the Common Core State Standards?
d. How does this unit demonstrate knowledge of the NCTE/CAEP standards?
3. Parent/ Guardian Letter discussing the significance of the unit.
4. Unit calendar highlighting planned activities
5. Detailed lesson plans that explicitly include objectives. You should use the Common Core State Standards to help identify objectives appropriate for the grade level you wish to address in your unit. Your audience should be able to see your larger vision in the daily progression of the unit.
6. A variety of activities that appeal to all types of learners in various contexts. You should write into each lesson plan the modifications you would make for the students needing modification in your field placement.
7. A variety of assessments that will incorporate ideas from your student teaching site, methods and approaches from your previous coursework, and new resources introduced this semester.
8. Supporting material for lesson plans: Handouts, supplemental readings, art/photographs, etc…
9. Comprehensive bibliography including all resources from books, articles, class sessions and websites.
10. 10-minute presentation describing your unit and linking your work with 3-5 external resources.
11. Development of a philosophy for teaching the English Language Arts that is constructivist in nature and addresses the major components of the English Language Arts curriculum