Rationale

I preferred to create my own outcome for Grade Four Social Studies because I believe it is important to understand all aspects of an outcome in the curriculum. I found working with only an outcome, and no indicators to be challenging at times. Indicators are there to guide the teacher and I feel as though without indicators I encountered bumps along the way, but overall I am very satisfied with my unit. I feel by creating an outcome I am able to better understand outcomes within the curriculum. It was beneficial to practice creating an outcome because once I am in the teaching profession I could actually contribute in making the curriculum. It is possible one day I will pursue this option, and I believe I will have a bit of a head start when considering this option. I chose to approach these lessons in the way I did, because I feel the lessons are inquiry based and will provide students with a positive learning experience. The first lesson is introduced to students in a basic way. They are able to learn and explore the topic of natural resources in Saskatchewan, and build upon their prior knowledge. I feel it is important to learn about the natural resources Saskatchewan has as they are learning about what their province provides for them to use. Students will be able to further expand their knowledge of their provinces economy, and become informed citizens. It is important for students to understand how their province is involved in the distribution of natural resources for their province, country and the entire world. While I was planning my lessons for this unit I was focused on creating student centered activities. My lesson plans have a good balance of questioning and student exploration. By using both students are guided through the lesson, and drawing upon the important aspects of the lesson. Both of my lesson plans incorporate an adaptive dimension. Within the adaptive dimension I have included an adaption for students who are struggling and for students who need to be challenged. I feel these adaptations are easy to make within the classroom as I notice a student struggling or needing to be challenged. I feel it is important for lesson plans to be adapted to meet the needs of the learner, as students must be invited to learn. If the activity is not engaging the students will not want to participate in the lesson. I feel it is important to tie the essential question into other areas of study for the students. I believe students will benefit if they are surrounded by a topic in multiple subject areas, once again providing students with the best possible environment to learn. This will also allow students who excel in different areas to gain an understanding of the concept.
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