Increasing Vocabulary In Early Education EMPACTS Project Intro to Education Fall 2006 Meghan Gray, Teresa Shepherd, Christina Clark

Overview: 1.We created curriculum packets using books from the students’ classroom. 2.Curriculum packets included a Rubric with activities to enhance learning in different areas of learning. 3.We provided a hands-on learning experience by using props found in the stories that were read. The students were asked to draw an item from the bag and explain how it was used in the story. 4.All of the books were Thanksgiving themed. We also engaged the students in the actual process of making butter. As the stories were read, the students were allowed to pass around the jar of cream which soon turned to butter. The students were able to enjoy the final product as we had snack time.

Preparation: * In preparation, we each read two books provided by Mrs. Taylor Mrs. Taylor also provided us with her “rubric” for the lessons on each individual book. The areas covered by the rubric were: Contextualize the Word. Say the word together Give a student friendly definition Use in other contexts Engage students. Say the word together. * We chose our words and completed a form for each book chosen. * For a hands on effect, we chose items from the stories to place in a bag. The students were given the opportunity to choose an item from the story and explain how the prop was used.

The Big Day 1. The students arrived from specials and were asked to sit on the reading carpet. 2. We each took turns reading our stories to the children. 3. At the conclusion of the stories, the students were asked to draw an item from the bag and describe how that item was used in the story. The kids loved it.

The Big Day Cont’d 4. As the stories were being read, we thought that the students would enjoy creating something. We passed around the jar containing cream. As the student’s shook it, butter began to form before their eyes. The students were amazed. 5. After story time the students were sent back to their seats. We had bread with their butter on it for their snack.

Outcome: We gained a greater awareness of cultural perspective. We investigated the concept of diversity. We investigated the concept of diversity. The class that we served was 75 % Hispanic. The class that we served was 75 % Hispanic. We discussed the topic of Thanksgiving with the students. We discussed the topic of Thanksgiving with the students. All of the students provided input regarding the holiday. All of the students provided input regarding the holiday. As service learners we had to affirm each student regardless of ethnicity. As service learners we had to affirm each student regardless of ethnicity.

Outcome Cont’d : We also investigated the social factors affecting today’s students. We noted that some of the students were hungry and wanted seconds on the snack. We noted that some of the students were hungry and wanted seconds on the snack. One of the students was wearing largely oversized clothing. One of the students was wearing largely oversized clothing. An overweight student refused snack. He watched the others eat. An overweight student refused snack. He watched the others eat. Children were eager to show wounds. They were desperate for attention. Children were eager to show wounds. They were desperate for attention. We passed around a bar of soap. The students were fascinated with the soap. Mrs. Taylor informed us that she had to remind the students at the first of the year to bathe. We passed around a bar of soap. The students were fascinated with the soap. Mrs. Taylor informed us that she had to remind the students at the first of the year to bathe.

Conclusion: * We learned a lot about effective teaching methods. * We learned the power of hands-on projects. * We learned a lot about preparation. What it takes. * We observed great examples of effectively overcoming diversity in the classroom.

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