Responses to Analytical Reflective Prompts.

Element 4.1

1. This unit helped me to think that I can bring more writing into my class. This unit is
made to build a bridge my students and I, and to build a bridge between music and ELA.
Mixing both subjects is not easy when working with diverse students, but if the students
are pictured as humans that possess emotions, feelings and a unique personality, this mix
could bring great results.

Response Prompts
2. The final outcome is to write an autobiography. By doing it, students can show more of
themselves in class. If writing is difficult task to teach in middle school, I think there are
opportunities that could make it easier for teachers and students. An autobiography can
ease the path of teaching writing. In this unit, students will experience working with
technology because they will type their autobiographies with their computers. They will
manipulate DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to make their own music, and they will
record their voice.
3. There are some strategies that I will use. These are from the book: In picture with Words
(Chapter 7, technique 8 – Using Scenes as a list), In the best interest of students (Mentor-
Text, Modeling in the Revision Stage) and Teaching what We Teach (Autobiography).

Gallagher, K. (2015). In the best interest of students: Staying true to what works in the ELA

classroom. Stenhouse.

Schmidt, P. R. (2011). Practicing what we teach: How culturally responsive literacy

classrooms make a difference. Teachers College Press.

Ray, K. W. (2010). In pictures and in words. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

4. The core part of this unit will be modeling. Students will be working from simple to hard
by steps. They will start telling their story first by putting together pictures and images.
5. Students will have a final work that includes musical, art, and written skills. Students
won’t be assessed for anything that is not appropriate with this unit.

Element 4.2
1. This unit focuses on the students’ lives. They will bring their whole existence into my
class by sharing their lives through writing, music, and images. Their project is not only
about writing, but rather, it is about using different elements to describe themselves.
Response Prompts

2. The project by itself helps me to understand who they are. They first production of
writing will help me to evaluate where they are. Middle schoolers tend to talk about
 them, and although there are some that avoid talking about themselves, they can do
through other activities.
3. The entire project engages culture from my students. Since my students are humans that
have a story, ideas, feelings, and family, they will share everything that represents them.
4. Each class students will have to submit their work either written, music, images or
recorded voice. They will have a check list of what they need to accomplish every class.
5. My students are predominantly African. However, I have 4 students from Mexico, and
two Asian. Students are accustomed to variety of interactions. My Asian students are
more reserved, but they have been assimilating the American culture. This has been
positive in some way because they are not afraid of doing “American” stuff. This unit
challenges my students because they are going to open their lives to us in the classroom.
Although they don’t have to share everything about them, they will still be sharing
important information.

Element 4.3

1. Although opening our lives to others could be scary, this unit will set up the tone of
respect and kindness in my classroom. As a teacher, I will be the first one opening my
life to my students, and that will help my students to feel safe when sharing their lives to
others.

Response Prompts

2. With this project, students will realize that their classmates have a life and value because
they will be sharing their experiences, maybe fears, culture, and families. Since our
country shows great dividedness, we might forget that people are people like us. This
project will help to sensitize the differences among my students.
3. They will create an art piece that combines writing, music, voice, and images. The main
part is the writing part. They will be able to write with a narrative style.
4. Students will show their work to teachers and students around the school. There will be
showing day and everybody from our school will be invited to check my students’ work.
5. Students’ work (written part, music, recorded voice, images) will be the summative
assessment for this unit. In each class, students will be working on each part of their
assignment, so there will be a following check of understanding.

Element 4.4

1. I really wanted to do this class to create a mentality of tolerance and respect among
students. These virtues don’t come by themselves, but they come when people throw
themselves to get to know other people, cultures and beliefs. An autobiography will help
my students to show themselves.
2. This unit will help my students to practice moral virtues such as respect, tolerance, and
appreciation of anything that is foreign to them.