Artifact 15

This artifact contains details of a recent time that I witnessed the many benefits of implementing small group activities into lesson planning.

As educators, we understand the importance of small group instruction in the classroom to provide targeted support and personalized learning experiences for students. However, witnessing students deliberate firsthand during small group discussions and articulate their answers was an incredibly rewarding experience. This direct observation allowed us to see the depth of their understanding, the clarity of their reasoning, and the extent to which they could articulate their thoughts. It highlighted the effectiveness of small group instruction in facilitating meaningful interactions and fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their ideas and engaging in collaborative problem-solving. Additionally, observing students explain their reasoning processes provided valuable insights into their cognitive development and helped us tailor our instructional approaches to better meet their individual needs. Overall, this firsthand experience affirmed the significance of small group instruction in promoting student engagement, critical thinking skills, and academic growth.

Standard 8: Instructional Strategies 

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.