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Isidora Pierattini
LS 4001
Michaels
28 March 2016
Slavery Lesson-5th graders
When I first heard that we were going to watch a 5th grade lesson plan
about slavery, my first thought was how this lesson was going to be
conducted about such an important and sensitive issue safely. I was happy to
see how well the teacher created a happy and safe environment for these
students and conducted the lesson about slavery so well. The teacher that
conducted this lesson did a great job at her TPE 1, subject-specific
pedagogical skills for teaching reading/language arts, TPE 7 teaching English
learners and TPE 11 social environment.
TPE 1 for teaching reading/language arts in this lesson was very strong
and evident. As the lesson was going on I could see many of the TPE
standards. For example, to be able to know how the students were learning,
one of the first worksheets was a passage about how the slaves were fed.
This included giving evidence from the text and an explanation for why they
believe their answer is correct. I love to see students giving their own
interpretation of why they think their answer is the right one. This also ties
into TPE 11 about respecting their peers. A student did not answer what the
question was asking and another student respectfully told him why his
answer did not answer the question, even though he thought it was correct

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in the beginning. This also shows how well the students are able to develop
their oral communication and interpersonal skills. Without this the students
would not be able to respectfully disagree. I love to see this higher level
thinking in the classroom and it being supported with the teacher and
students.
For TPE 7, teaching English learners, I noticed and the teacher talked
about this after the lesson that the tools we need to teach English learners
are such great tools to use even if you do not have any English learners in
your classroom. It just makes sense. This is what I saw during the lesson,
they were tools to make every student succeed. During the whole lesson
there were a lot of visuals being used. It started off being the power point in
the beginning where there were picture of how the slaves were being treated
on the boats, to how they were being held captive on the boat. Then it
moved to the map that the students had to be able to figure out how to read
within their groups. It was challenging for some but overall the students did
great with the map. It was a struggle at first getting started with the map
since it was not easily color coded from what they are probably used to but I
thought it was an appropriate challenge for them. I believe that the pictures
and maps helps the students understand the slave trade and even those that
are not English learners the help that they need.
I noticed that right away the teacher talked to the students about how
sensitive this topic is. How the students would be using names that are only
used in the classroom when they are learning this specific subject. The

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students heard her, listened and understood that this topic was not to be
discussed on the playground at school and to only talk about this subject
with students in their classroom and adults. This clearly shows how the social
environment was conducted and used safely, TPE 11. I also observed the
classroom as a whole and noticed that they did not just understand this
agreement but also that they agreed as a class. To be able to having a class
discussion and where students feel safe to share out answers without feeling
ashamed when they get it wrong it amazing to see. They are able to agree
and disagree respectfully with others is something that I want in my
classroom. These were the concerns that I had going into the lesson, I
wanted to know how these students were going learn in thein an
environment safely while still be able to gain all the information they needed
to learn and understand this important topic.
I really enjoy being able to see a lesson about slavery as I always
thought that this subject was sensitive to learn even in middle school. I was
able to see through the students respectful agree and disagreements that
they understood the lesson. Each student gave their understanding of the
primary sources given, and passages of how these slaves were being fed. I
know this by the way these students answered questions, and supported
their reasoning. The 5th graders and the teacher did a great job being able
have such a safe learning environment alongside English language learners,
and skills for teaching. I will definitely be using the safe learning environment
because no matter what a child needs a safe place to learn and become a

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student. They will be in my classroom most of the year and I want it to be a

safe place where they are able to share what they want and to not be afraid
if they get the answer wrong. The teacher did a great job with her TPEs and I
cannot wait to see how I transfer what I learned in this lesson to my future
lessons as a teacher.