Assignment 4

·         Assignment#1 Answer the following questions:

Text Twist is a game that allows users to think of words they may already know and learn about words that they may have not known. http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/texttwist.jsp. During the game you have two minutes to spell as many words as possible with different letters during each two minute section. After getting words correct or advancing to the next round a few sounds right but other than that all aids are visual and graphic. On the left hand side of the screen a list appears with the amount of letters in all words that are left. During the game if you don’t get a certain amount of words spelled correctly then you cannot advance to the next level. The goal of the game is to spell all of the possible words with the letters provided. The game could be easily linked to New York State curriculum.

Assignment#2 Create a simple ELA lesson plan addressing the following components:           

Grade level 8^th grade

Common core standards and learning outcomes:

W.8.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

Craft and Structure

RI.8.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

RI.8.5. Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.

RI.8.6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

RI.8.7. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

Knowledge of Language

L.8.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

Use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve particular effects (e.g., emphasizing the actor or the action; expressing uncertainty or describing a state contrary to fact).

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

·         L.8.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).

Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.

Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).

Instructional activities:

During this activity students can test their knowledge and ability to spell words. After every two minute round students will write down words they didn’t find. If they know the meaning of the words but just didn’t find them they can fill in the definitions. As for the words they didn’t know students can use www.dictionary.com to research the meaning of the words. After they have 12 words that they didn’t previously know the meanings for they can use their list as a vocabulary list which they can later be tested in.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed using a quiz that they have developed. Students will learn about new words that they personally didn’t know of by using the game Text Twist.

Debriefing

In order to debrief students is to first show them how the game text twist functions then have students write down words that they don’t know. Students will later find out that those words will become a vocabulary test in one week.

What cognitive skills do this game help to cultivate?

The will learn skills that will increase speed of recall and memory. They may also recognize the words that they didn’t know if they play using the same letters again.

What new literacies skills do this game help to cultivate?  

The game helps students learn new vocabulary words and at the same time test their spelling skills and words they may already know.