Topic/Theme Statement

For my unit I am going to focus on language art focusing more especially on compound

words, Cesar Chavez language arts statistics are very low compared to what the Michigan State

standards of where they are supposed to be so I am hoping that I can help increase that

percentage. The topic my teacher asked me to focus on was compound words. Compound words

aren’t introduced to students until about 2nd grade but I am determined to introduce the topic to

my students. The big questions that I will be asking are: what are compounds words? What’s a

root word? Can all words be compound words? Does the meaning change when a compound

word is created. One challenging question I want my students to think about it if you don’t

combine two words together but have them next to each other does it still have the same

meaning? This question could really be challenging my students to think what’s the point of a

compound word and when are they used.

One issue that can occur when teaching the lesson is that if my students don’t know the

words separately, will they be able to understand them when put together? Another issue could

be that my students might not be able to read or know how to use the compound word properly.

When thinking about what strategies my teacher used for harder concepts in her classroom. In a

teaching strategy article, it states “personal and social aspects of leadership, and each generation

contributes and develops fresh experiences of leadership (Livingston, R. E. 2003). Every year

bring new students and you will have to work on changing your leadership and what works best
for you and your students. Particularly for my classroom, I am learning how to turn my lessons

into the appropriate grade level for my students, planning it for my students to understand in an

easy and comfortable way. When teaching my lessons it will be focused on activities that the

students are familiar with and lots of physical pictures so that the lessons are suitable for my

students.

Within my unit, there will be five lessons, language is such a big part of our community

and everyday life. I really want to get that point across to my students. I have noticed the

differences in language in the school, going to a school where Spanish is the primary language

spoken at home and often at school. I want my classroom to understand the sense of community

and how language is a very important factor in that. Language arts connect with students because

we are connected through language and it’s important as they grow up because they will need to

learn to read and write in order to be apart of society.

Livingston, R. E. (2003). The impact of leadership education on changes in leadership

behaviors: An evaluative study of the effectiveness of leadership education as perceived by
students in a police executive leadership program (Order No. 3098526). Available from Business
Premium Collection. (305224070). Retrieved from
https://lib-proxy.calvin.edu:2676/docview/305224070?accountid=9844