This past week...

This past week in my Production and Utilization of Technology class we focused on how we could use technology in a lesson. We looked up different standards when it comes to technology use in the classroom as well as state content standards. Based on those two sets of factors we had to come up with a outline that would be in a lesson plan (Given, the student will be able to). It was interesting to have to come up with a lesson of our choice within the standards but also incorporate technology that will appropriate to facilitate learning in the lesson.

For my lesson plan I chose standards for 10th grade literature and focused on writing and comprehension within those standards. I used the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and upon finishing the book students will be able to write a letter home to "mamma"  from the viewpoint of the main character, Francie, using at least 5 details from part 3 of the novel. Where the technology comes in is the students will use the computer/internet to look up & learn about life in Brooklyn, New York or the University of Michigan during the mid to late 20th century.

In young adult lit, we read Witness and on Friday discussed different ways we could introduce and teach the book in class. Since the novel is set in 1924, I would choose to show the silent film The Birth of a Nation. The film was produced in 1915, and showcased the KKK as a sort of "Captain America" group of men whose job was to protect the white women from the "rabid" black free slaves. With this film you get such a profound biased viewpoint and it would be a good background and starting point for class discussion, especially when you factor in important production choices of the time. An example would be the African American slaves are actually not played by African American actors, but white actors in black face makeup.
Here's a clip....