Chapter 1 Activity 1.1: Reflection on Approaches Write a reflection on the approach(es) you remember experiencing during your Kindergarten-to-second-grade years of learning to read. How did these approaches impact your learning to read and your attitudes about reading? Activity 1.2: Student Diversity Research the statistics on student diversity within the school districts in which you have participated in clinical experiences. Write up your findings and include copies of any documents you found.
Chapter 2 Activity 2.1: The "No Child Left Behind Act" of 2002 Research how this act is being implemented in the school districts in your area. What new programs have been created? How have school budgets been impacted? What about accreditation requirements? Compile your findings into an easy-to-read table. Activity 2.2: One-Room Schoolhouse Visit a one-room schoolhouse museum and write a reflection on what it would be like to teach multiple grades today. What factors are different in your time, as compared to that era? What challenges existed back then that do not exist today?
Chapter 3 Activity 3.1: Annotated Bibliography You'll notice in Chapter Three that many wonderful examples of quality children's literature have been cited along with ideas on how to incorporate them into literature-based instruction. Create your own annotated bibliography of children's literature that includes, along with the usual bibliographic information, genre, age levels, and ideas for use in instruction. Activity 3.2: Modifications Choose one of the instructional strategies described in Chapter Three and write-out a lesson plan for it. Then, identify ways that you would modify the lesson for English Language Learners or for students with learning disabilities.
Chapter 4 Activity 4.1: Thursday Folder Create the letter that you will include in the Thursday folder when you send it home for the first time. Be sure the explanations and expectations are clear! Activity 4.2: Parent Evening Design a plan for a parent evening. Focus on ways that parents can encourage their child's literacy development through an everyday activity such as those described on page 173.
Chapter 5 Activity 5.1: State Standards How familiar are you with the literacy standards established by your state department of education? Locate and include a set of these standards in your portfolio. Activity 5.2: Internet Inquiry Search the Internet for research on portfolio assessment, suggestions for implementation, and actual example student portfolios.
Chapter 6 Activity 6.1: Classroom Floor Plan Sketch out your ideal floor plan for your first grade classroom. Include everything that comprises the physical environment of the room. Code the items included and on a separate sheet of paper provide details and explanations about the items. Activity 6.2: Narrative Description Take time to observe an exemplary primary grade teacher as he/she teaches reading and writing to emergent readers and writers. In narrative fashion, relate everything that occurs in the classroom, for example, teacher-student interactions, materials used, descriptions of the classroom layout, and how the lessons taught relate to what you are learning in your methods courses.
Chapter 7 Activity 7.1: Make It Fun! Research engaging activities that make word study fun for students. Compile an annotated list of activities and include websites or bibliographies. Activity 7.2: Word Wall Take a photo of the word wall you created during your student teaching. Along with the photo, provide a description of how you implemented the word wall in your classroom.
Chapter 8 Activity 8.1: Your Philosophy What is your philosophy of teaching reading? More specifically, how do you intend to foster reading comprehension in your classroom? Activity 8.2: Videotape Obtain permission from your cooperating teacher, her students, and the students' parents to videotape a literature circle discussion in your classroom. Include an annotated script of the conversation so that viewers can readily understand both what was said and why it was important.
Chapter 9 Activity 9.1: Graffiti! One of the methods that engages students in exploring and enjoying vocabulary is a graffiti board. Create your own graffiti board to coincide with a specific interdisciplinary unit. Make a small, camera-ready version of the board to include in your portfolio. You may wish to either use a digital camera or scan a photo of the board. Activity 9.2: School-Home Connection Many of the activities recommended in Chapter Nine may also be used by parents at home. Create a brochure that describes and gives examples of several methods appropriate for home use. Be sure to include why vocabulary learning is so important and how you will be available to assist parents.
Chapter 10 Activity 10.1: Recommended Reading As you explore the world of children's literature, you will encounter books that you cannot wait to introduce to new audiences. In an album or binder keep a list of these books and include ideas for book talks, constructs, discussion topics, and extension activities. Be sure to note the basics: author, title, copyright, ISBN, and publisher. Activity 10.2: Reflection Do you remember the first book you fell in love with? How old were you? How did you find this book? Did you own it? Who read it to you, or with you? What did you love about it? Can you remember any of it by heart, or vividly describe any of the illustrations or plot?
Chapter 11 Activity 11.1: Gender Issues As noted in Chapter Eleven, adolescent boys read for pleasure considerably less often than adolescent girls. Research and compile annotated lists of novels and poetry anthologies appropriate for adolescent boys. If time allows, do the same for mixed groups and for adolescent girls. Activity 11.2: Readers' Theater Choose one of your favorite children's books and write your own Readers' Theater script. As you do so, notice the process, pitfalls, and helpful hints so that you can share these reflections with your students as you describe the experience to them.
Chapter 12 Activity 12.1: Graphic Organizers on PowerPoint Create a PowerPoint slide show that provides information on graphic organizers, including types of GOs, how and when to use them, and examples. You can also print out the presentation to use as reproducibles. Activity 12.2: Interdisciplinary Teaching Unit Create an interdisciplinary unit on the topic of your choice. Include in the unit your rationale, standards addressed, learning objectives, specific lesson plans, a bibliography of recommended expository books, modifications for diverse learners, and a list of final project options from which students may choose as a culminating activity. | 
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