Putting It All Together - The Fundamental Five
Over the last few weeks, I have tried give you a quick look at the components of The Fundamental Five by Sean Cain and Mike Laird. I wanted to overview each and give you my own personal perspective of its use in the classroom. Independently, each component seems feasible, but if you are like me...putting them ALL together can be a bit overwhelming!
Perhaps, I went about learning about them the wrong way. My husband came in raving about a book the administrators of the district were reading. He said it was a "must read" and "right up my alley". So, of course, I read it. I was already in that "big plans for back to school" state of mind and it seemed overwhelming to add this new way of thinking to my plate. However, once school started I learned we were going to be reading the book and taking a section at a time. Phew. Much more manageable. As I reread each section, I was able to fold this new component into my lessons until I saw a more complete picture. In that spirit, I encourage you to conquer one step at a time Grab your own copy of the book, and commit to working in chunks on your existing plans! Order it here!
As well, I wanted to share with you one of my upcoming lessons and how I tried to include all of The Fundamental Five. I do not claim that this is the best lesson I have, nor do I claim to be an expert on the Fun 5, but rather I want you to see how I put it together. I would be grateful for all feedback! :) Here it goes!
TEKS: 4.5A identify the impact of various issues and events on life in Texas such as urbanization, increased use of oil and gas, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and World War II;
We are ready to start the Dust Bowl. In 5....4...3...2...1
Today We Will: view multiple images of the Dust Bowl and explain how it impacted parts of Texas
I know I've Got It When: I can write a short summary of what life in the Dust Bowl might have been like
Focus Activity: Begin viewing images from the PBS photo gallery
http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/photos/
FSGPT: What similarities do you see in the photos? How do they make you feel?
Input: View PBS Video using Woody Guthrie's The Great Dust Storm Song http://video.pbs.org/video/2250514396/
FSGPT: Which do you think has more effect on you? The still images? Or the video? Why do you feel this way?
(R&R - Listen for answers that use specific evidence to prove an opinion)
Guided Practice:
Have students read over the lyrics to "The Great Dust Storm Disaster". Together we will paraphrase and look at figurative language.
FSGPT: What impact did April 14, 1935 have on someone living here? Use text evidence to support your answers
Independent Practice/Closing Task: Imagine you were living in the Texas Panhandle April 14, 1935. Write a short response answering the following: What would your day have been like? What thoughts would you have had? How would you have felt? What ultimate decision would you have made? Why?
Extension: Let students play the interactive Dust Bowl Activity on PBS.org
http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/interactive/
Obviously, the Power Zone is very difficult to include in a lesson plan- but I almost never sit down! I am always up and about. :)
I hope that seeing my plan that uses the Fun Five will help you to visualize how some of these elements can transform your lessons! Please feel free to comment with any suggestions and tweaks to take this lesson to the next level.
I am so honored to have been able to share this journey with my readers for the last few weeks. I promise that it isn't over yet! Starting soon, I plan on focusing just on the Critical Write component. How many ways can we write...that doesn't feel like writing! Stay tuned!
Perhaps, I went about learning about them the wrong way. My husband came in raving about a book the administrators of the district were reading. He said it was a "must read" and "right up my alley". So, of course, I read it. I was already in that "big plans for back to school" state of mind and it seemed overwhelming to add this new way of thinking to my plate. However, once school started I learned we were going to be reading the book and taking a section at a time. Phew. Much more manageable. As I reread each section, I was able to fold this new component into my lessons until I saw a more complete picture. In that spirit, I encourage you to conquer one step at a time Grab your own copy of the book, and commit to working in chunks on your existing plans! Order it here!
As well, I wanted to share with you one of my upcoming lessons and how I tried to include all of The Fundamental Five. I do not claim that this is the best lesson I have, nor do I claim to be an expert on the Fun 5, but rather I want you to see how I put it together. I would be grateful for all feedback! :) Here it goes!
TEKS: 4.5A identify the impact of various issues and events on life in Texas such as urbanization, increased use of oil and gas, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and World War II;
We are ready to start the Dust Bowl. In 5....4...3...2...1
Today We Will: view multiple images of the Dust Bowl and explain how it impacted parts of Texas
I know I've Got It When: I can write a short summary of what life in the Dust Bowl might have been like
Focus Activity: Begin viewing images from the PBS photo gallery
http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/photos/
FSGPT: What similarities do you see in the photos? How do they make you feel?
Input: View PBS Video using Woody Guthrie's The Great Dust Storm Song http://video.pbs.org/video/2250514396/
FSGPT: Which do you think has more effect on you? The still images? Or the video? Why do you feel this way?
(R&R - Listen for answers that use specific evidence to prove an opinion)
Guided Practice:
Have students read over the lyrics to "The Great Dust Storm Disaster". Together we will paraphrase and look at figurative language.
FSGPT: What impact did April 14, 1935 have on someone living here? Use text evidence to support your answers
Independent Practice/Closing Task: Imagine you were living in the Texas Panhandle April 14, 1935. Write a short response answering the following: What would your day have been like? What thoughts would you have had? How would you have felt? What ultimate decision would you have made? Why?
Extension: Let students play the interactive Dust Bowl Activity on PBS.org
http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/interactive/
Obviously, the Power Zone is very difficult to include in a lesson plan- but I almost never sit down! I am always up and about. :)
I hope that seeing my plan that uses the Fun Five will help you to visualize how some of these elements can transform your lessons! Please feel free to comment with any suggestions and tweaks to take this lesson to the next level.
I am so honored to have been able to share this journey with my readers for the last few weeks. I promise that it isn't over yet! Starting soon, I plan on focusing just on the Critical Write component. How many ways can we write...that doesn't feel like writing! Stay tuned!
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