Author: mmcadam

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Guiding TEK: 110.15 English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 4 (b) (13) (B)
Image:
http://media.thestate.com/smedia/2012/10/24/00/11/wloke.St.74.jpg

This image is a polling results map for the 2012 presidential election as of October 23, 2012. I found this image on South Carolina Newspaper The State’s website. The map shows the number of electoral votes represented in each state. In addition, the map also displays the majority attitude of voters for the state as of October 23, 2012, which will determine which candidate will win the electoral votes for the state.
An instructional procedure I would incorporate when students are analyzing the map would be to have them fill out a KWL chart on the topic of electoral votes in relation to the map. Students could complete the KWL chart with a partner. Students would have already learned about how electoral votes are determined and the factors in which each state is entitled to a certain number of electoral votes. I would have students determine the state with the highest number of votes in the Electoral College as well as the states with the lowest number. I would also require students to report that states are solid and likely Obama and which states are solid and likely Romney. This activity demonstrates students’ ability to explain factual information presented graphically as stated in the TEKs for fourth grade.

One Great Text

BrainPOP’s video Voting is an informative and efficient way of providing students with a picture of the voting process. This video would be appropriate for grades third and up. The film is relevant to the upcoming election and could be used in the social studies content area. In the video some questions addressed include who are elected officials, how to elect or reelect representatives, the date for the presidential election, the process of registration, what materials you use when voting, and what voting decisions can help determine. Voting engages students without boring them as the video lasts less than five minutes.

I showed Voting to brother who is currently in fifth grade. He agreed that learning information through the video was better than receiving information through a textbook. He enjoyed watching the video because it was easy to understand and the robot that narrated the video was funny. It seemed as if the content in the video was too easy, as he is well informed for his age.  Most of the information he already knew. I asked him a variety of questions to prompt his engagement and learning in the video.  Prior knowledge he had before the video was that you vote in private. Something new he learned was the date of Election Day is the second Tuesday in November. A topic he thought needed to be voted on at his school was recycling habits. Something he had voted for previously was for the positions for student government. Overall, the video was clear, descriptive, and easy to comprehend.

Link to video: Voting

 

Alice in Pastaland A Math Adventure by Alexandra Wright

Alice in Pastaland A Math Adventure written by Alexandra Wright is a picture book parody of the novel Alice in Wonderland written by Lewis Carroll. The familiar theme and exciting plot will entice any student. Alice in Pastaland A Math Adventure is ideal for incorporating math content. It applies to multiple areas of the TEKS content including measurement in 2nd grade math in 111.4 (b) (9) “The student applies mathematical process standards to select and use units to describe length, area, and time.” It can also be utilized when teaching predictions within texts. Alice in Pastaland A Math Adventure provides a fun and engaging format to explore mathematical concepts in your elementary classroom.
Here is a snippet of the book:
“Alice was astonished to hear a rabbit speaking
about math. She jumped up explaining, “You just have
to multiply…” but he disappeared into a rabbit hole.
Alice stuck her head in the hole and tried to see into
the darkness. She only succeeded in losing her balance
and falling…down…down…down.”

Joyce Sidman by Megan McAdams

Joyce Sidman is a poet who can’t help but share her love for nature with readers. Her attention to detail and connection to the natural world will captivate any child. Her poems can be picked up by almost any student and read with ease. Sidman has published several books of poetry whose themes include animals, outdoor settings, the natural world, and insects. She is a perfect fit for any student who loves being outdoors or adventure. Her poems could be paired nicely with various elementary science lessons.


Link to Sidman reading some of Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
and explaining why she wrote this book.
Poems read:
•Welcome to the Night
•Dark Emperor