Reflection:
For this lesson, I chose the book Bugs because it was recommended to me by my cooperative teacher to use to teach this lesson. The Kindergarten classes are currently working on nonfiction text as well discussing insects in science and my cooperative teacher and I wanted to keep the students on track with their unit objectives. This book complimented my goals by having clearly labeled pictures of insects which allowed for me to continually model reading labels in nonfiction texts. Additionally, I found that most of the students were engaged in the text because of the interesting facts that were presented. I noted that after my lesson was done and my cooperating teacher asked the students what facts they thought were interesting, most of them were able to name at least one.
The knowledge that I have gained from Teaching Children’s Literature was so valuable to me in developing and putting this lesson into practice. Before I have fully decided on reading Bugs I evaluated the text using the criteria in the Huck textbook and found that it was quality children’s nonfiction. (Not to say my cooperative teacher would ever steer me wrong!) Additionally, before I taught the lesson, I practiced reading the text to my husband and dog, focusing on fluency and intonation. Finally, I was sure to ask open-ended questions throughout the read aloud to drive home the intended learning goal. All of these aspects I have learned throughout Teaching Children’s Literature.
Analysis:
Overall, I think my lesson went well. Based on the feedback that I received from both my supervisor and from my cooperating teacher, I think this was the best lesson I have taught so far. The students seemed to be genuinely engaged in the text and were looking at the pictures and labels to be able to point out differences in the insects. The pre-reading activities, in my opinion, was the strongest point in the lesson. Anytime the students are able to move their bodies to help learn a definition, they seem to be more engaged in the lesson. One of the challenges I did face though was having to have one of my students removed from the lesson because he was starting to throw a fit. I was however grateful that the ESE specialist was in the room to assist me. I also made the mistake of allowing students to get up out of their squares to come and point to the book and then towards the end trying to keep them in their seats. Looking back, I should have chosen one or the other and been consistent.