Rachel Ison

ESLP 4100

3/30/12

The Vowel ‘I’ Phonemic Awareness

The focus of the unit is to develop phonemic awareness of the vowel ‘I.’ The lesson is mainly for first grade to build on strategies to decode words. The lesson is centered on BICS and CALP standards. BICS is applied to the unit by creating an environment for ESL students to interact within learner groups, pairs, and whole groups to complete assignments in a timely manner. CALP is applied on the unit by focusing on Language Arts, a vital foundation to develop phonemic awareness.

Standards Addressed in Unit
Standard 3: Reading: Foundational Skills
·  CC RF.1.2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
·  CC RF.1.2.a Distinguish long from short vowel sounds in spoken single-syllable words.
·  CC RF.1.3. Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
Technology
·  Standard 3.0 Students will use technology productivity tools.
TESOL Standards:
·  Standard One: ELLs communicate for social, intercultural, and instructional purposes within the school setting.
·  Standard Two: ELLs communicate information ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of Language Arts.

Strategies implemented throughout the unit lesson were a foundational strategy to develop phonemic awareness. The strategy was to stretch out the word to identify the individual phonemes that create the word. This strategy is fundamental in establishing phonemic awareness which can be beneficial for ESL students learning the various phonemes one letter can possess. Another strategy was to identify an image to a vocabulary word. The strategy is extremely valuable for an ESL student to associate an image or concrete object to a word for comprehension.

The assessments established within the unit plan aid instruction by allowing a teacher to adjust to ESL students’ needs. The assessments utilize images that ESL students can use to comprehend and identify the vocabulary words to a particular image. The Guess Bag pre-assessment allows for a teacher to assess the ESL students’ way to utilize the breaking down strategy to identify phonemes in vocabulary words to categorize by vowel sounds. This assessment aids instruction because it uses imagery and has vocabulary word as reference to identifying the appropriate bag. The post assessment test at the end of the unit allows ESL students to identify and connect both lessons as one unit by sorting by both phonemes for the letter ‘I.’ The assessment aids in instruction by connecting both lesson as one entire unit that an ESL student can build on when working on fundamental skills to break down to phonemes. Many assessment tools can be utilized to aid instruction but the best tool is the use of imagery and realia.