Culture Lesson Reflection

    The fifth lesson in our interdisciplinary unit was about culture. The fourth graders at Agnes B. Hennessey Elementary participated in this lesson by analyzing primary sources, comparing/contrasting how cultures have possibly changed over time, and making a small clay pot with teacher guidance. As always, my partner and I collaborated on writing the lesson plan, creating materials, and teaching the lesson. Each lesson uses at least three different laminated primary sources, laminated vocabulary cards with visuals, an anchor chart, and multiple worksheets for the students. We continue to display social awareness and professionalism while working with our group by taking time to respond to student questions and comments with thoughtfulness and accuracy.

    There are two students in our group who benefit from having a TC sit next to them during the lesson. Our lesson is adapted so that my partner and I sit next to the students and provide support while still leading the lesson. I provided extra support to the student sitting with me by helping her spell/sound out words when writing. My partner provided support to the other student by helping the student stay on task and providing encouragement while working on the lesson's assignments.

    One aspect of our lesson that was successful was the hands-on activity of making a small clay coil pot. To connect our activity to our theme of culture, we discussed how clay is important to Native American groups, as it was/is used for practicality and expression (arts). Our students expressed having fun with the activity, and all students were engaged.

    An area of weakness during this lesson was the connection to our multicultural text. Though the students enjoyed the stories, the explanation of how fables and folklore can connect to one's culture was not as in-depth as it could have been. Using an anchor chart before reading the story would have been one way we could have delivered information to the students.

Our lesson objective was as follows:

• By the end of the lesson, students will be able to compare and contrast life in the present to life in the past of the country/state by analyzing primary sources (Hide and Seek or sensory exploration chart) and by exploring present day life in the country/state through music, dance, and an interactive read-aloud of a folktale and informational texts.

The Little Red Hen Read Aloud

The Macarena Brain Break

    Our students worked to explore different cultures by first thinking and answering a few questions about their own, and sharing/listening to their peers about their cultures. This helped our group think about diversity and how it can apply within their lives. We also incorporated culture into our movement break by doing the Macarena together! We even discussed how this dance can be an example of school culture, as many of us can recall doing the Macarena at school dances!

    Below is an example of a student who is still working to reach the objective. The goal of this Venn Diagram was to help students compare and contrast the norms within their home and school culture. This student in particular had difficulty with connecting culture to home and school, insisting culture was not applicable to school. In the future, to help students better understand how culture can apply to multiple different aspects of our lives, we could show the following video: https://youtu.be/FOEB87B0Zas?si=8XPjtZ7VV7ujRKyV

    This lesson has highlighted how students respond well to hands-on learning. When students are able to participate in the lesson without the pressure of writing and spelling, I have noticed an increase in enthusiasm and engagement. While I recognize how reading and writing are important in a child's education, I emphasize the importance of also allowing students to learn and intake knowledge without the pressure of having to perform via reading or writing. When students are able to participate in a hands-on activity and are engaged using multiple of their five senses, they are more likely to retain information.

The following link is to a great article highlighting a multisensory approach to teaching: Multisensory Learning

    Going forward, I'd love to find more ways to incorporate hands-on and multisensory activities into lessons. As I continue to participate in this practicum experience, my teacher tool-kit is expanding, and I am able to find what types of activities work best for my teaching style.