Sixth-Grade Literacy Block Enhanced with Computers
Meeting the individual needs of 34 sixth grade students can prove to be a
daunting task for anyone.
One thing that I have established in my classroom
to help with this task is a 45 minute block of time each day when every student
is reading at his or her level.
It is during this time that I am able
to work in a small group with my most critical students.
Technology
is extremely beneficial during this time.
I present my students with
extensive research projects.
These projects
often relate to our
social studies curriculum.
The students delve deeper into a certain
aspect of an ancient civilization that we are in the midst of studying.
They are able to use the computers to conduct in-depth research, practice
their word processing skills and turn their research into slide show presentations
to share with the rest of the class.
The use of computers allows them access to a wealth of information that otherwise
would not be available.
They are developing critical thinking skills
by being able to locate the necessary information. In order to pull out the
important, relevant facts they need, they must sift through the extraneous
information.
The reading strategies of summarizing, clarifying and questioning
that have been ingrained in these students now must be used at a much higher
level.
The students enjoy these challenges and it is a great way for
them to extend their learning through the use of technology.
At first glance word processing skills may not seem to tie into literacy
at all.
However if
students are quick and accurate with their typing
skills it is going to help them in many different aspects of their education
as they progress through the grades.
The less they have to concentrate
on where the keys are the more attention they can pay to the content of what
they are writing.
Allowing students access to the computers during this
research time gives them the hands on application and practice they need to
become proficient in these skills.
After the students have completed their research and typed a paper, they
then make a presentation in the form of a slide show on the computer.
This allows them to share what they have learned with the rest of the class.
For this they need to again gauge the importance of the information they have
found and whittle it down to the main details.
They also must think
about the sequencing of events and how this will affect their presentations.
In essence, having students complete these projects independently while I
am working with a small group allows them to apply several different reading
and writing strategies that they have been taught thus far in elementary school.
It also allows them to improve on a variety of technology skills that are
a necessity in today's world.
Jill Baker, Sixth-Grade Teacher
Grand Oaks Elementary School
Citrus Heights, California
Reflective Questions:
- Ms. Baker uses computers to free her to work with groups during literacy
block. Given that students may stay engaged in independent work more successfully
while using computers than with other work, imagine a classroom where there
is only one computer available—or none. Discuss, as though in an interview
for a job, how you will help students work independently in order to free
you for small group work.
- Think about online research you have done for assignments. Address the
issue of what can be downloaded and/or copied without plagiarizing. How
would you teach Ms. Baker's sixth graders what they can use from the Internet
and how to document the source of what they use?
