The Units for Books Program at the Chicago Teachers' Center at NEIU is a way to earn class sets of young adult books for your classroom. You develop a standards-based thematic unit that features great young adult literature and we provide a class set of the books so you can implement the unit with your students.
How does it work?
Select a book (or a set of literature circle books) and get it approved by a GEAR UP professional development specialist. Then write a unit plan. Submit your unit for approval and we will purchase the books you need. You implement the unit in your classroom and provide documentation to GEAR UP.
When we receive your unit plan we will order your books. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.
Who is eligible to participate?
Teachers from GEAR UP high schools and certain CTC partner schools are eligible.
What must my unit plan include?
Units for Books Planning Template - Use this template to submit your unit.
Unit Overview - Use a calendar or schedule to reveal how your unit will be delivered to students over 15 class sessions.
One-Day Lesson Plan - Use a lesson plan format of your choice. Your lesson plan should demonstrate interactive teaching and learning and include Illinois State Learning Standards and CPS literacy components.
Signed Match Form - Help us meet federal requirements for matching funds by documenting your unpaid work time spent developing your unit.
What resources are available for me?
The Teachers Planning and Reflections Questions - This document can help you as a planning tool as you write your unit. No need to send it in—just use it however it works for you.
Teacher Units - Look at units written by other teachers on our Units Showcase page.
GEAR UP Specialists - Talk with the GEAR UP PD specialist at your school or another teacher who has completed a unit. Not sure who that is? Contact Chris Johnson at c-johnson15@neiu.edu for information.
Support Sessions - Attend a Support Session after the conference and earn more CPDUs. For more information contact your school’s GEAR UP PD specialist or email Chris Johnson at c-johnson15@neiu.edu.
How do I document my unit?
As you implement your unit we ask that you document the work and include the Teacher Reflection Page.
Teacher Reflection Page - Please reflect on your unit: what worked; what you learned; what you’ll change next time.
Student Assessments - Submit 3-4 student self-assessments or samples of student work.
Digital Media - (Optional) Submit digital photos and/or video along with an explanation of the content. Student media releases are mandatory. A GEAR UP staff member may be able to help with documentation.
How can I share my work with colleagues?
Units Showcase - With your permission, outstanding units will be posted on our website for other teachers to browse and adapt.
Units Presentations - Teachers who write outstanding units may be invited to present their work at YAL.
|
