Caitlin Grav

10175685
CURR 355
Section 002
J. Chan
April 27th, 2016

Literacy Portfolio
To provide context, I taught this lesson during my alternative practicum. I was placed at a
day treatment program through a childrens hospital for students with complex behavioural and
mental health needs to succeed in a modified classroom. The class I was in was a grade 5/6
but the skill levels were anywhere from grade 2 to grade 8. The students had an incredibly high
level of work refusal and their biggest struggle was writing. When they did engage in any
projects that required writing, they were prone to copying and pasting. I taught this lesson in an
attempt to engage them in a writing activity through the use of technology. The students are all
on IEPs and therefore have modified expectations for literacy. The main goal of this assignment
was just to get them engaged with writing as they usually refuse.

Component 1: Gradual Release of Responsibility Model

Step 1: Share the book I made on Book Creator about something that I am passionate about.
Step 2: Show the students how to use the different features of the Book Creator app by making
a new page in my book on the SmartBoard:
Step 3: Co-create a page in my book with the class, based on their suggestions to see that they
understand the basics of the app:
Step 4: Allow students to start making their own books on their iPads, circulating to check in with
each student that they are on the right track and answering all questions:
Step 5: Allow students to work on their books independently, answering any questions as they
come up.

Component 2: Lesson Plan

Writing Task: Make a Book!
Curriculum connection:

2.2 establish and appropriate voice in their writing, with a focus on modifying language and tone
to suit different circumstances or audiences.
Learning goal: I can make a book to describe something Im passionate about.
Success criteria:
My book has a cover with a title
My book has at least five pages
Every page of my book has some text and at least one picture
The writing in my book is all in my own words
Materials:
SmartBoard
iPad for each student with the Book Creator app installed
Book made by the teacher to illustrate the app to the class
Instructions:
1. Explain to the class that you are going to share a book that you made with them. Mention
that the book is about something you are passionate about.
2. Using the SmartBoard, show the book made by the teacher to the class, reading it aloud.
3. Explain that the book was made on an iPad using and app called Book Creator.
4. Show students the different features of the app by making a new page in the teachers book:
insert image, insert text, pen tool, background colour, as well as how to edit all of those
features.
5. Co-create another page in the teachers book using suggestions from the class to gauge
their understanding of the app features.
6. Explain that students will be making their own books about something they are passionate
about. Put the success criteria up on the SmartBoard and read them aloud to the class.
Talk about having the writing in their books in their own words to express their own voice
through their writing.
7. Distribute an iPad to each student and let them get started, circulating to help them figure
the app out.
8. Answer any questions and help as needed as students work on their books, leaving the
success criteria posted.
Assessment:
Give feedback using Google Docs on the students books, using the star and a step model.
Reflection:

 Students actually really enjoyed this activity even though it required writing. They were

interested in my exemplar and asked lots of questions about how I made it. I think allowing
students to write about something they are passionate about helped ease them into have to
produce written output.

Component 3: WALT and WILF

We Are Learning To:

Describe our passions to someone by writing a book.

What Im Looking For:
My book has a cover with a title
My book has at least five pages
Every page of my book has some text and at least one picture
The writing in my book is all in my own word

STUDENT WORK
:

Feedback: Given on Google Docs (where students shared their work with me) using the success
criteria checklist and the star and step model. As students are on IEPs with assessment
accommodations, students do not receive letter or number grades on their work.
Name: ___________________ Book Title: Goats and Goat Related Games

Success criteria:

My book has a cover with a title

My book has at least five pages

Every page of my book has some text and at least one picture
-You didnt include a picture on your last page, but you did have lots on previous
pages so I feel confident in your abilities to incorporate text and images.
The writing in my book is all in my own words
You did a fantastic job _________ writing in your own words and I could really
hear your narrative voice coming out as a result. Your writing sounds so much
better when we get to hear your personality come through! You included lots of
information on goats and some great pictures.

Next time, try to focus your topic more or provide a better transition between different topics, like
when you switched from talking about different breeds of goats to goat video games. Maybe try
using chapter headings to split them up and help the reader!