Wisconsin Teaching Standards
and
The Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Model Core Teaching Standards
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #1- Teachers know the subjects they are teaching.
InTASC Standard #4- Content Knowledge, InTASC Standard #5- Application of Content
The artifact I chose shows my knowledge of the subjects that I teach by being able to integrate Social Studies and English Language Arts standards into one unit. My knowledge of the curriculum and content allowed me to manipulate the application of the content and how the students learn the information I am teaching. Through the Constructivist Unit, the unit is revolved around the student and guiding their own learning. When I created this unit, I went beyond the textbook by bringing in online, non-fiction books, and informative articles and resources for the students to explore and learn about September 11, 2001 and Patriot Day. Additional planning was completed to find differentiated options to meet the needs of all my learners.
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #2- Teachers know how children grow.
InTASC Standard #1- Learner Development
Throughout this course, I have learned strategies that cater to the development of learners in my classroom in all areas. Each student has areas of growth and the strategies I have learned through this course will allow me to give every student the instruction they need to make growth and develop as a learner. I also know that students need to be able to build off of prior knowledge to develop and grow as a learner. In my artifact, the Constructivist Unit, it can be seen that each day in the unit builds off of the prior day to grow the students' knowledge about 9/11.
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #3- Teachers understand that children learn differently.
InTASC Standard #2- Learning Differences
A constructivist classroom meets the needs of all students. Through the constructivist model, students are guided in the learning process and encouraged to ask questions to further their personal learning and understanding of the content. Through this course, I have enhanced my strategy list to meet the differences in the way my students learn. I know that students may need more than one of these strategies to succeed. I also know there may be strategies that I have learned that will not work for some students. By teaching my students a variety of comprehension strategies, I was able to provide students with strategies that worked for their different learning styles. Through the Constructivist Unit I created, the lessons are differentiated to meet the needs of all my students and their learning differences. Providing the students with choices allows the student to choose what works best for them.
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #4- Teachers know how to teach.
InTASC Standard #5- Application of Content, InTASC Standard #8- Instructional Strategies
Throughout this course and through the reading of the textbook, Subjects Matter, I have been able to add a long list of instructional strategies to my toolbox. During this course, not only did we read about before, during and after reading strategies, but we utilized these strategies during class and within our classrooms through coursework. Being able to see how the strategies actually work by using them, helped incorporate them and see how they can work within my classroom. Through my artifact, it can be seen that I am able to integrate multiple instructional strategies within a unit to teach all of my students in a way that works best for them.
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #7- Teachers are able to plan different kinds of lessons.
InTASC Standard #7- Planning for Instruction, InTASC Standard #8- Instructional Strategies
As shown through my artifact of a Constructivist Unit, it can be seen that each day of the unit the lessons vary. These lesson plans incorporate many of the reading strategies learned during this course and the constructivist elements. As I was planning the Constructivist Unit, I took into consideration the diversity of student learners I have within my classroom to create the lessons and choices for differentiation. I also considered the Common Core State Standards and curriculum goals.
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #8- Teachers know how to test for student progress.
InTASC Standard #6- Assessment
The artifact I chose shows my ability to assess my students through many different outlets and forms. I am able to show how to assess student progress with formative and summative assessments like the ones that are incorporated into my Constructivist Unit. I have included formal and informal assessments throughout the unit to ensure student understanding and progress towards meeting unit objectives and Common Core State Standards.
Wisconsin Teaching Standard #10- Teachers are connected with other teachers and the community.
InTASC Standard #10- Leadership and Collaboration
Through my artifact, it can be seen that during my unit I work to incorporate and collaborate with the community. My 9/11 Constructivist Unit provides my class with an opportunity to connect with the community by attending a community event, in particular a local 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. I also collaborated with other teachers when creating this unit by presenting my unit and receiving feedback on how to make the unit better for my students, along with gaining further resources to share with my students. The unit also involves families as students interview their parents or family members about their experience and what they recall from the events of September 11, 2001.