Week Seven at Cornerstone

This week was by far the best week yet! I had the opportunity to lead the class in a unit about maps.

On Monday, we started with an introduction to maps. We discussed the part of a map and how to use them. We started by reading out of the textbook to help us answer worksheet questions.  We passed around the microphone so they could be heard as they read. Then, as a class, we filled out the pages in the pack I made them. I had transparency copies made for the overhead so they could follow along with me as they went. I let the students volunteer to come up and write the answer on the overhead, which they seemed to enjoy.  I was feeling sick that day and had trouble giving the class a lot of energy. They seemed to pick up on this and give me little in return.  In addition, they had already done with worksheet with their cooperating teacher, of which I was not aware. I only heard a few “we’ve already done this” comments, for the most party they played a long. This was rather upsetting, as the week before I double checked with my teacher to make sure the lesson was appropriate and not something they had already done.

On Tuesday, we continued with the same format, this time discussing landform maps and product maps. I was feeling much better and was able to put more energy into the lesson. They definitely picked up on this, and gave me way more in return. Participation was much higher and they were very cooperative.  This just goes to show that when you’re sick as a teacher, you’re not the only one who suffers.

Wednesday started off our fun culminating activity.  The students were given the task of creating a map of their own.  The map was to be of an imaginary place, but include all of the components we discussed the previous two days. We began by creating a list of essential elements, which I put up on the overhead for the duration of the work period. That way, they could refer back to it if they forgot what they needed to include. I had a lot of “can we?” type questions at first, but once they realized they were allowed to be as creative as they wanted, they got straight to work. I gave them each a piece of printer paper at first where they could draw a sketch of their map and gather their ideas. Once they were finished, they has to show me their map and point out all of the elements we had talked about. They then received a large piece of tag board paper on which to create their final product.

On Thursday we jumped right back into work on the maps. My original plan was to stop them 15-20 minutes before the end of the period to give them the opportunity to share their work. However, they all seemed to be wrapped up in their work, so Miss Dillion and I decided to let them work for the rest of the class, and push the sharing time until Monday.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the way my unit went this week.  While power point lectures aren’t the most exciting form of instruction, by allowing them to fill in the answers I was able to maintain engagement. In addition, the culminating activity allowed the students to demonstrate what they had learned in a hands on manner. I think they took a lot away from the unity, and I will definitely implement this project in my classroom in the future.