Lesson 3: Learning Express Library

Basic Discovery Exercise:

1.  I set up an account in Learning Express Library, and looked through the available exams.  It offers materials for 4th grade to adult with current practice exams, self-paced courses, and e-books.

2.  I chose 4th Grade Algebra and Patterns: Practice 1.  I got 14 out of 15 right.  I think having tests like these available for kids and adults is good.  School districts will be moving towards having more online and standardized type tests, so any practice students can get on these before taking ones that "count" will help them become familiar with taking online exams.

3.  Under career resources, I added the course Great Resumes.  It's always a good idea to keep your resume updated, even if you aren't looking for a job.  Different sources may recommend different things, but some things are stressed regardless of where you look.  You can always compare several and see what works best for you and the job you are applying for or audience who will view it.

4.  I searched under teaching as a career topic, and found an e-book that looked interesting.  I selected Best Careers For Teachers.  This book has chapters on many teacher-related careers and guides you through the process of considering if they would or would not be a good fit for you.  There are jobs tutoring, assisting homeschooling families, editing, writing, teaching online, and several more.


Common Core Connections:

ELA Reading Standards: Fundamental Skills
Anchor Standard: Fluency
Grade Level: 4

Standard:
4.RF.4  Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
a.  Read on-level text with purpose and understanding.
b.  Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

To teach the standard above using Learning Express Library, I would have fourth grade students add an e-test: Fourth Grade Reading Practice: Poetry 1 to their center and then start the test.  They could practice reading the poem out loud to work on fluency and accuracy while reading poetry aloud, and then take the 5 questions test at the end to see how the did as far as comprehension for that poem.  If the comprehension is not there the first read-through, students can go back and re-read and look through the answers they did incorrectly.