Fieldwork Group 4

This week was Group 4's turn to teach! I can not believe that we are already in the last week of fieldwork. I feel like we just began! Group 4 is teaching about culture and celebrations, which is a great way to end our time in 3rd Grade!

As always, they first began by teaching a direct lesson to introduce the vocabulary that needed to be known. They introduced the word culture, and then went into aspects of four different cultures: African, Indian, Chinese, and Hispanic. They discussed the languages, religion, food, and clothing of each of these cultures. I like how they gave examples like this instead of just doing vocabulary words. They then went over holidays and traditions and gave examples for both. Throughout the lesson, they did "stop and thinks", which was a great way to check for student understanding. For guided practice the group did matching, guess the symbols, a matching game with a partner to match the pictures and definitions, and a think pair share. I thought that the group did a great job of thinking of creative guided practices. It is hard being the last group since most ideas have already been used, and they definitely tried their hardest to be unique which really showed! The group did kahoot for independent practice, which got the kids a little too excited. In the end, though it was clear that the students understood what they were taught. 

The teachers began inquiry by introducing mailman Tom. Tom needed help sorting packages. The students were provided with boxes with symbols on them. Based off of the symbol they had to hypothesize where they thought that the boxes should be sent to. The students then got to open the boxes and pick out one item at a time. The students then read letters that came with the boxes and highlighted important information. I loved this idea because I felt that it was so creative! The teachers did a great job of picking items to include. The students presented their findings to the group. Once they were finished the students were to write a letter back to the pen pal who sent the package. They were to tell the pen pal everything that they had learned while looking at the package. This was a great lesson and I can not wait to see what they come up with for cooperative!

For cooperative learning, the teachers split the class into four corners. Each corner had to do a different type of project. The projects included a collage, a skit, a poem, and a news report. I loved this idea because it gave students an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity. The teachers did a great job organizing everything. I'm sure it was a lot of work to set everything up, and the group did great! The students were very excited and loved doing different things. 

Everyone did great, and I can not believe that fieldwork is over already! I can not wait for the celebration of learning!