Standard A, Indicator 3: Identifies appropriate reading materials, other resources, and writing activities for promoting further learning by the full range of students within the classroom.

When identifying appropriate reading materials, writing prompts, etc. for each lesson, I frequently try to find resources that students can somehow relate to and/or make real life connections with. Attached is a chapter called "The Letter 'A'" from Christy Brown's autobiography My Left Foot, a text that is suitable for all ability levels. This particular chapter from Brown's novel fit into the 6th grade team's unit plan "Overcoming Challenges", due to Brown's (and, essentially, his family's) constant struggle to overcome cerebral palsy.

At the time, we were preparing students for open-response writing; therefore, I created a 5-day lesson plan that used the Keys to Literacy "ANSWER Key Routine" in direct relation to Brown's autobiography. The open-response packet I created and provided to students is attached below. 

All of our 6th grade classes are grouped by ability level; therefore, the packet could be completed slighlty slower or quicker, depending on the class. Both the academically challenged and academically advanced students had various modifications to the assignment. I spent little time instructing the academically advanced class with the ANSWER key process, due to their ability to understand the process and its compenents, especially after working together as a class with an example open response. If the class finished the packet early, they were asked to find an article from their ELA textbook and follow the "ANSWER Key" process to write another open-response. I implemented a quiz revolving around the open-response routine to ensure students' understanding.

The academically challenged studens needed much more explicit instruction. I spent a significant amount of time identifying and describing each step in the process. Students were required to take specific notes and then work with peers to study and familiarize themselves with the routine. Students were then asked to complete a quiz as well; however, it was slightly shorter and formatted differently than the academically advanced class.

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Christy Brown's "The Letter 'A'" from My Left Foot = The Letter A.pdf

Student Open-Response Packet = ANSWER Packet.pdf

Academically Advanced Quiz = Quiz - Academically Advanced.pdf

Academically Challenged Quiz = Quiz - Academically Challenged.pdf