Identifying Instructional Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Identifying Instructional Resources - Essay Example This activity supports the instructional objective by giving the students multiple representations of the content: first, they read the content in our class text. Next, they identify the most important information in the text - that which defines and gives the function of the three branches of government. Lastly, they place the informational in a new organizational context - the Concept/Definition Graphic Organizer. This activity is well suited to the students' academic level because it requires comprehension of text, the selection of important content, summarizing that content, and placing it a new context. The graphic organizer will show the content in a new context for students, and more contexts will yield a more thorough understanding. From page 214 in the manual, students develop their understanding of the instructional objectives through the use of a Comparison Matrix. It asks them to compare and contrast the different branches of governments and their various responsibilities, including those of checks and balances. To practice multiple representations of content, they also create a picture or illustration using paper and markers provided by the teacher demonstrating their knowledge of checks and balances. ... Instructional objectives: - compare and contrast the different branches and their role within the U.S. - demonstrate an understanding of checks and balances by illustrating in a picture. - use word processor; create a paragraph explaining each branch of government. From page 214 in the manual, students develop their understanding of the instructional objectives through the use of a Comparison Matrix. It asks them to compare and contrast the different branches of governments and their various responsibilities, including those of checks and balances. To practice multiple representations of content, they also create a picture or illustration using paper and markers provided by the teacher demonstrating their knowledge of checks and balances. Students then use the Comparison Matrix as an outline for an essay that they complete using a word processing program. These activities should be highly engaging for students because they employ several different learning modalities and are at a skill level that is challenging but attainable for their age group. Resources: Internet access. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/; cnn.com: http://www.cnn.com/; and The New York Times Online: http://www.cnn.com/ Instructional objectives: - locate and be able to discuss current issues in the media concerning the government. - formulate at least two concerns/problems that would fall under the jurisdiction of the branches of government. Students find current issues in media concerning the government by using Internet search engines. They write a summary of these issues using a word-processing program. They include two examples of a current issue for each of the three branches of government. These activities link the abstract notions of what government does with