K.+Lesson+Comparison

Lesson Comparison: The two lessons I provided for this project build upon each other. As a first grader, the Indiana State Standards require the student be able to write a poem using rhyming words. I focused my attention on that skill for this lesson. (I would hope that next year I can get second grade on board for this unit and bridge the gap between first and third grade.) Third graders are required to identify different genres of literature - poetry included. For first grade lesson, the students are required to write a poem, but they are given a basic idea. They are asked to write a poem about something they wish for. The maturity level of the third graders assignment is much higher. After being taught about different forms of poetry, the students are asked to find examples and then create their own examples. The students are not given topics to begin with.

In each lesson, the students are not asked to produce products without being given the proper preparation for such products. In the case of the first grader, the students are given a much greater amount of guidance throughout the entire unit. The third graders are given guidance, but they are also required to do much of the exploring on their own.

Speaking in terms of the instructional specialist, at the first grade level, he or she has a large part in directing the student and being part of the inquiry process. At the third grade level, the instructional specialist is more of a facilitator. The first grade student information scientist is still learning the ways of inquiry and requires the extra guidance. The third grade information scientist plays a true role of a scientist discovering the wonderful world of poetry!

Information Standard Comparison:

1.2.3 Demonstrate creativity by using multiple resources and formats. First grade students during the lesson were provided with examples of rhyming poetry, where third grade students were required to use multiple sources to explore and locate examples. For the final product, first graders used two different formats to demonstrate creativity, while third grade was required to use only one. The format the third graders used was much more complex and required a more skilled user.

2.1.6 Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create products that express new understandings. Both the first and third graders were required to create products demonstrating understanding using the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills. Again, the first grade project was less complex than the third grade project. The first grader was required to complete one example of a rhyming poem. The third grade students requirements far exceeded that of the first graders. Using each of the standard elements, the third grader was to complete 5 poems and create an end product using PowerPoint.

2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning. Both levels completed projects to express that learning had occurred and knowledge was gained. As I stated above, the expectations for the older student were much greater than that of the younger. This is what you would expect to see as more and more knowledge is gained during student growth. I wouldn't expect the same thing from a first grader that I do from a third grader. 4.1.8 Use creative and aristic formats to express personal learning. Both of the lessons allowed the students to express their personal learning artistically.