Marcia Jones

UNE Module 4
Literacy Project
Video One
Getting Ready To Write: Citing Textual Evidence
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-about-textual-evidence
Citing textual evidence is a daunting task for many students. When done correctly, this skill can
demonstrate a students ability to comprehend and connect to any given text. There are many facets
associated in learning this skill set and are astutely conveyed through the video titled Getting Ready to
Write: Citing Textual Evidence(Fulton, & Pepe 2016). In this video, students selectively highlight
pertinent information to justify a given topic. The process begins as the students are guided through a
text where they discuss and consider what information is significant to their end goal. Students then
deliberate about one particular point to make sure they can effectively support their knowledge gained
from their reading as well as design a topic sentence that will guide them during their writing.
An additional detail that was spotlighted was the use of guided questions or graphic organizers.
This type of strategy can strengthen the student connection with writing. It's designed to assist the
students with direction, focus and content associated with their topic. As the students collaborate they
learned to use their engagement to increase the essence of their writing.
Furthermore, one major aspect that I concluded from this video was the power of discussion. As
I watched the children confer with one another, I saw engaged students collaborating to develop true
effective connections to higher level thinking. More importantly, I valued the connection it will bring to
my practicum and more directly, my daily teaching practices. By executing discussion into the writing
process, I will ensure confidence into my students through explicit direction, focus and team work. For
my tutoring focus, discussion will deepen the student's relationship between expressive and receptive
language.

Video Two
Analyzing Text: Brainstorm Before Writing
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-brainstorming
Allowing students the opportunities to discuss their thoughts or work can bring extraordinary
benefits in and out of the classroom. After viewing the video, Analyzing Text: Brainstorming Before
Writing (Brewer 2016), it became apparent just how advantageous this strategy can be. Students used
sticky notes to make notations while independently reading. This process permits the students time to
organize their thoughts as well as highlight crucial information associated with the reading. Students
then deliberate their thoughts and connections within their assigned groups. During the discussion time
students articulated predictions, conclusions and connections regarding the text. As students talked, the
teacher circulated within the groups to make sure students remained on task as well as made
appropriate prompts to guide students to collaboratively reach sound verdicts about important facts
associated with the text.
What connected me most to this video was the scaffolding of strategies used. The mixture of
individual duties and collaboration creates a cohesiveness that centers around the text. More
importantly, students were engaged in their learning and willing to take risks. Even though the
majority of the students were English Language Learners, I feel this strategy would generate higher
level thinkers with any student body. In particular, I have seen similar rewards using sticky notes with
my practicum student. This technique strengthens student engagement and has improved my student's
drifting while reading problem. She is now able to stay on task and her retelling skills has increased
as well. Along with the sticky notes, discussion is an invaluable approach to raising student
achievement and confidence. Allowing students to verbalize and reflect on their thoughts enables them
to organize their prewriting thoughts which will fundamentally will affect them while writing.

Video Three
TED Talks Education: 3 Rules To Spark Learning
https://www.ted.com/playlists/125/tv_special_ted_talks_educatio
This video from Ted Talks Education, titled 3 Rules To Spark Learning(Musallam 2103), was
enlightening as well as inspiring. The speaker, Ramsey Musallam, highlights the benefits of teaching
through students questions or curiosity of the unknown. Brilliant! In addition, he emphasizes the
importance of accentuating the trial and error process as well as encompassing the following three rules
into the classroom; rule #1: curiosity comes first, rule#2: embrace the mess, & rule#3: practice
reflection. What stood out to me most was Musallam's (2013) statement questions can be the windows
to great instruction. This method would surely strengthen student motivation and increase
engagement in and out of the classroom. Mr Musallam's passion for teaching was very apparent in this
video, his methods are solid and explicit.
There were several educating aspects to this video, but what resonated most with me was using
students questions to drive instructions. In the past, I have employed prior knowledge as my conduit for
instruction. Even though there are benefits in using prior knowledge, I see how utilizing students
questions can create a stronger student lead environment. Furthermore, I identified with the speakers
sentiments regarding reflection. Reflection brings great advantages to the learning process and yet
again, I realized I was not using this strategy to it's full potential. Allowing students to practice this
daily would maximize their connection to the given content. Lastly, embracing trial and error into daily
practices would show the students that being challenged will lead to success. The process of getting
there is just as important as the destination. This video was my favorite. It reminded me of why I teach
and that it's about embracing the daily process of learning.

References:

Brewer, S. (n.d.). Analyzing Texts: Brainstorm Before Writing. Retrieved February 15, 2016, from
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-brainstorming
Stevenson Elementary School, Bellevue, WA

Fulton, K., & Pepe, L. (n.d.). Getting Ready to Write: Citing Textual Evidence. Retrieved February 15, 2016, from
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-about-textual-evidence
Dawn Norris

TV Special: TED Talks Education. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2016, from
https://www.ted.com/playlists/125/tv_special_ted_talks_educatio
Ramsey Musallam