Unit Plan
Communities
This unit introduces the concept of regional community. I started the unit with a review of the characteristics of the local community. I took the students to the next level by introducing the concept of a regional community as they locate Oakland County and metropolitan Detroit on a Michigan map. This is a part of the Social Studies curriculum set out through the state of Michigan and Ferndale Public Schools. The district uses these lessons as an integral part of the curriculum.
This is a student's work showing how a community starts at our home and works it way out to the whole planet.
My reflection:
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This unit was very interesting to me. I did not grow up in Michigan so I personally enjoyed exploring the different communities of Michigan. |
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The student's prior knowledge surprised me more than any other part of this lesson. They were very intelligent. We created a list of characteristics of a community at the beginning of the unit. The students 6 out of the 7 major characteristics before the lesson even began. I think that my cooperating teacher was just as surprised. |
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One thing I would have changed is to take the lessons a step farther. Go more in-depth with the students. I would give the students more time in the computer lab to explore the sites dedicated to communities in Michigan. During my student teaching there was only a certain amount of time to complete the unit so getting more involved at this point would have been hard, but in my own classroom that is something I would change. |
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I learned that you should never underestimate the knowledge students come to the classroom with. It can be overwhelming and as a teacher I should foster that knowledge. |