Benchmark Assignment – Literacy Cross-Curricular Unit Plan

Assessment Description

The classrooms of today require teachers and literacy/reading specialists to plan for their diverse student populations. This requires the use of culturally responsive best practices, differentiated instruction, UDL (Universal Design for Learning) strategies, and a demonstrated value for cultural diversity. Teachers will need to align their instructional planning with the diverse needs of students in their classroom.

Using the “3 Day Unit Plan Template,” design a three-day, cross-curricular unit that supports reading and writing for the grade level of the students in your field experience classroom. The unit plan should demonstrate respect for diversity and culturally responsive best practices. An emphasis should be placed on building content area vocabulary, language comprehension, and reading-writing connections. Include differentiated activities to meet the needs of all students.

The unit plan should include:

· At least one informational and one narrative text appropriate for the selected literacy and content standards that meet the literacy needs of all students. 

· State standards from the primary content area, along with the applicable English Language Arts standards and content area topic identified in Topic 4.

Important Note: Select the content area standards and English Language Arts standards identified in Topic 4 to be taught during Topic 6 in your field experience classroom. You will be implementing one of these lesson plans during your field experience in Topic 6. Please share the lesson you would like to implement with your mentor teacher for feedback and approval prior to Topic 6.

Each lesson should include:

· Multiple Means of Representation: Apply theories of diversity and equity by presenting content in various ways to meet the needs of all students.

· Multiple Means of Engagement: Apply culturally responsive best practices to meet the needs of all students as they explore, practice, and apply literacy skills in the content area.

· Multiple Means of Expression: Select a variety of assessments that meet the needs of all students to evaluate instruction and monitor student progress toward literacy and content related objectives.

Following the unit plan, write a 250-500 word reflection on the importance of placing value on cultural diversity in schools and in the community. Describe how you designed the unit plan with cultural responsiveness in mind and how you will implement the instruction in a way that values all students.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.