Kristin Raia Portfolio

Objectives: Learn how to multiply fractions Develop the conceptual understanding behind the procedure Method: I started the lesson with a warm up. We were just beginning the new chapter, so we began with a facts check in using a Mad Minute. Using the examples from the Math In Focus: Lesson 4.1, I created a worksheet for the girls to write on to model the concept behind multiplying fractions. I projected the sheet onto the white board and we used different colored markers and highlighters to demonstrate how multiplying fractions is the same as finding a fractional part of the other fraction. I said, "Which way shows fourths? Color in 1 row to show 1/4. Here there are tally marks to show 1/4. Which way shows thirds? Color in 2 columns to show 2/3. How many units are in the whole rectangle? What fraction is both purple and has tally marks? 2/12 which is the same as 1/6." We followed that same dialogue for the next few examples. After completing a few more, I asked th...

Objectives: Review the characteristics of a fable Understand the meaning of morals and how they can apply to modern day Read several fables to become familiar with this type of traditional literature Determine the moral of a fable using text evidence Method: I began the lesson with a review of the characteristics of fables from the previous day’s lesson. I asked the students, “What is a fable?,” anticipating responses to include the use of animals (personification), a lesson/moral, short story, conflict and resolution. Next, I asked the s tudents to recall the morals of the fables that were read for homework. The class discussed the meaning of those morals and how they would apply to modern day. Next, I walked around the room with a container. Each desk group selected a moral from the container and discussed its meaning. The students modernized the morals, explaining it in their own words. I projected the morals on the whiteboard for all students to see as the groups...

Objectives: Understand injustices by learning about the life of slave Expand background knowledge on the topic Reads a non-fiction text and takes notes Paraphrase using own words Publishes and presents work using technology Method: Our first Social Studies unit of the year was Slavery and the Underground Railroad. The girls had a lot of background knowledge on the topic, but they had several questions, many of which came up during our KWL chart discussion at the beginning of the unit.  One of the first activities in this unit was a jigsaw activity using the class set of books If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad . I put the girls into pairs, and in one case a group of three, and divided the questions from the book into seven sections. Each small group received a recording sheet and were instructed to take notes on their section of the book. The girls were given one class period to read and gather information. I moved around the room and monitored their not...

Objectives: Explore the pre-writing process by generating lists, participating in discussions, and using graphic organizers Include sensory details to paint a picture for the reader, to show feelings and events rather than simply tell them Use effective techniques to develop an interesting lead, focusing on dialogue, sound, setting description, or action Write a creative and well-organized personal narrative retelling an event from the student's memory Method: ( link to unit packet here ) Lesson 1: Brainstorming Emotions I presented the girls with an A-Z chart and instructed them to generate a list of strong emotions for each letter of the alphabet. The girls were given time to think independently, and then they could pair-share and team up with their desk partners to complete the list. After monitoring the room, we had a group discussion where we shared emotions for each letter, and the girls were instructed to take notes on emotions they didn't have listed on the...