Tools for Change: An Educator's Resource Site

Author(s): Susanna Palomares

Publisher: Innerchoice Publishing

Type of Resource: Classroom activities

Target Grades: 4-9

Canadian Resource? No

Resource formally evaluated? No

What is the source, internet link, or article title for viewing the formal evaluation of this resource? (none supplied)

Subject Areas:language, health and physical education, family life, English

GRADE FOUR

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes and to specific audiences (e.g., write a brief research report on a class investigation for classmates)

Begin to write for more complex purposes (e.g., to present and discuss their opinions and viewpoints, to pose questions, to record information)

GRADE FIVE

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for specific purposes (e.g., to present and support a viewpoint) and to specific audiences (e.g., write a letter to a newspaper stating and justifying their position on an issue in the news)

Use writing for various purposes and in a range of contexts, including school work (e.g., to summarize information from materials they have read, to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and imaginings)

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Identify strategies to deal positively with stress and pressures that result from relationships with family and friends

GRADE SIX

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to inform, to persuade, to explain) and to specific audiences.

Use writing for various purposes and in a range of contexts, including school work (e.g., to develop and clarify ideas, to express thoughts and opinions)

Produce pieces of writing using a variety of forms (e.g., newspaper articles, lyrics, summaries of information), techniques and resources (e.g., library resources) appropriate to the form and purpose, and materials from other media (e.g., film clips)

Select words and expressions to create specific effects

GRADE SEVEN

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to outline an argument, to report on observations) and to specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose and topic

GRADE EIGHT

Language: Writing

Communicate ideas and information for a variety of purposes (to evaluate information, to compare points of view) and to specific audiences, using forms appropriate for their purpose (e.g., a survey soliciting opinions on an environmental issue) and features appropriate to the form (e.g., focused questions)

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Family Life:

• developing our gifts
• building a loving, just community and exploring social issues

English, Grade 9, Academic (ENG1D)

Writing - Overall Expectations

• use a variety of organizational techniques to present ideas and supporting details logically and coherently in written work;

(where noted: Consistently (C)   Often (O))

Exploring Well-Being Through Relationships

This resource shares knowledge with students about:

• personal growth in and through relationships (C)
• how the nature of relationships are characterized by growth and change (C)

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• explore relationships from personal perspectives and experiences (C)
• develop personal self-awareness and understanding of well-being (C)
• express personal feelings, thoughts, and experiences (C)

Exploring Social Relations of Violence, Oppression and Equality

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• personalize knowledge of social relations of oppression and empowerment (O)

Exploring Identity, Gender, and Diversity

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• identify, explore, and name their own identities, experiences, and values (C)
• express, learn from, and build multiple perspectives on social experiences and diversity (C)

Developing Connections, Creative Thinking and Participation

This resource shares knowledge with students about:

• understanding violence and healthy relationships from one’s own personal perspective (C)

Structure and Format:

• Ready to use scripted format
• Sequential guide or lessons that are user friendly

Teaching/Learning Strategies:

Direct Instruction: whole class and small group

• Explicit teaching and use of thinking skills and strategies
• Explicit teaching and using self-assessment and reflection

Interactive Learning

• brainstorming

Indirect Instruction

• Guided teacher-directed inquiry

Activities/Lessons Include:

• Choice, where possible, in student tasks and assignments
• Multiple opportunities for practice and feedback.
• Use of graphic organizers (e.g. Venn diagrams, mind maps, tables)
• Opportunities for students to use their learning styles to learn and demonstrate learning
• Integration of Multiple Intelligences theory to learn and demonstrate their learning.
• Oral and written reflection/journal writing

Assessment Methods:

Personal Communication:

• Journals
• Students assess their own learning and set specific goals

This resource provides students with the opportunity to promote self-awareness through journal writing. The resource provides an opportunity for developing language skills, creativity, imagination, verbal skills, reading comprehension, and written expression. Journal writing explores family history, life events (positive and negative), friendships, feelings about school, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, “life right now” (feelings within yourself), values, and goals. Journal writing is meant to be confidential and not evaluated. The focus is on creative writing and expression as a fulfilling and enjoyable activity.