Unit Reflection

The "All About Me" Unit has been interesting this year. The children have really liked ldearning about themselves and others. The unit has developed into something unique and exciting with input from the children. I am very flexible and this is important with this unit. As of right now the children are not finished with the unit and I think that we will continue this unit all year long. For example, we have created many self-portraits using different mediums and we have documented their growth in this area. The children have been using their learning about self portraits and implementing these skills in their drawings and other school work. I am very proud of their learning and growth since the beginning of the year. The work very hard everyday and want to learn. This unit is a perfect fit for young children to explore themselves and others around them. For the next part of the school year we will continue their learning and go deeper into learning about each other using venn diagrams, time-lines, personal stories, traditions, values, lessons, learning and observations. The children are really involved in this unit and they have added to the unit in many ways and I hope this excitement continues.
Working with the art teacher has been difficult. She has been very busy with her work, learning and teaching. Time still remains a factor and has been a component in working together. I have consulted with her about specific skills and concepts for the children to understand and Kim has been very helpful and a great resource for me and the children. I am thankful for her guidance and support when I needed her.
Overall, I am very happy with the unit and most of all, the children's learning and achievement.
I am proud of them and myself for taking on this new model of learning and developing a meaningful and genuine learning experience.
Some recommendations I would make for myself and the children are;
more transformational uses of technology
more time to share their work
space and time consideration to display work samples
more time and people to collaborate with
year long unit of study so the children have more skills to do work more independently
I am thankful for the experience with the backwards planning design and I hope to use it more effectively in the future. I am happy that i have created real rubrics and anchor packets that
have value and meaning in the unit.
I am excited and eager to share this unit with other professionals and with other classes continuing to make changes and additions along the way.