Planning For Learning

Goal

Planning for learning is one of, if not the most essential teaching competency. Without long term or short term planning teachers can easily become disorganized with the material and risk not teaching all program and curriculum goals. Throughout our program we are taught to lesson plan with a detailed lesson plan outline that includes any and all information we could every need. We are warned in advance that in our practicum, where we are teaching more often. teachers rarely have time to create lesson plans for every less taught in a day, week or month. Speaking closely with my mentor teacher, we came up with a plan to share work for planning which I think will be extremely helpful to stay organized. My goal this semester is to better learn how to create mini lesson and with that a template plan that does not take very long yet includes all of the necessary information and tools I will need for my lesson. I think this will be very beneficial to my time and allow me to stay prepared and organized throughout my practicum. Students deserve our very best work and attention when it comes to learning so it is my highest goal to ensure I provide them with the utmost opportunities and tools to succeed.

This artifact I chose is my lesson plan assignment for the winter 2020 semester. I felt it was important to include because planning is an essential part of learning. It is used as a tool for educators to map out their teaching journey. Without planning you cannot ensure you are following appropriate curriculum and specific guidelines. It also allows you to prepare for unforeseen difficulties that may arise. With planning for learning the program outcomes I followed and I think are very important are 2,3,7. (P 2,3,7). These outcomes are to demonstrate knowledge of learner development and use this previous base of knowledge to build on and create lessons. This requires students to think about what they know and attach it to new information they are learning. I showed this through my lesson plan and actively saw it as I taught the students. These outcomes also should use the program of studies as a guide to accurately follow the curriculum. Through my lesson plan, I hit specific targets in mathematics. Finally, lesson planning should require deep thinking and create engagement between students. Allowing collaboration between students and their peers can introduce new ideas and is something positive in the classroom. Using activities that do not require tests and paperwork can prove to be very beneficial and allow students to depend on their brains only. I have observed through my mentor teacher the importance of planning and I hope to continue to place so much emphasis on it because I understand its beneficial value.

The artifact I chose for the teaching competency "planning for learning" is my fall 2020 lesson plan. This year we were under difficult circumstances not being able to be in a classroom and completing everything online so I think this term is even more appropriate. This lesson plan followed a grade 3 classroom in an ELA lesson about vocabulary. The lesson plan was in a very specific and detailed outline that was very helpful to complete. By having such a comprehensive understanding of what you are going to teach, you can easily adapt to situations that arise and be prepared. In my EDUC 2237 course, we spoke a lot about phonetics and differentiation which were the main focuses in my lesson plan. By creating these plans and having all material or changes ready you can really set yourself up for success. My lesson plan follows a specific curriculum imposed by the province of Alberta and utilizes its key outcome and understandings. By following this I can ensure that I am meeting all targets and I am also able to connect this to other classroom material. My goal with this lesson plan was not only to create a lesson but deeper my understandings of lesson plans and how to facilitate ones with ease. A bigger goal I have for myself is learning how to make simplified versions that can accompany most if not all of my future lessons in classrooms. Being organized and prepared for all lessons is important, especially for a new-coming teacher. These lesson plans really have to help me decide with I think is important to carry on with or highlight and also what things can be removed and not discussed. I look to further my goal in the winter 2020 semester when I will have had more exposure to understanding classroom settings and how to introduce these lesson plans into everyday life. While lesson plans are very important, my mentor teacher also mentioned that it is important to be adaptable. Planning is an essential part of teaching, but so is being able to go with the flow and change anything on the spot. Anything can happen and having a cookie cutter way of teaching will never work! Being able to adjust to any situation is a main idea I will carry with me throughout my schooling and future teaching years.

Planning

The artifact that best fits with planning for learning as a teacher is my resource bank. The resource bank is compiled of ten resources and the application of these resources through mini-lesson plans. Each resource follows components of the Alberta ELA program of studies in my EDUC: Teaching ELA course. Through this assignment, my partner and I have "developed varied activities and assignments that are relevant, clearly aligned with learning goals, require deep thinking and support student engagement, collaboration, and choice" (PL7). Planning for learning requires teachers to be thoughtful and detailed with their curriculum planning. The foundation of this is the program of studies and how teachers incorporate these guidelines into their instruction. The resource bank helped me "use the programs of study to set learning goals" (PL2). The outcomes are something we focus very strongly on in classes, and this artifact allowed me to review these outcomes for all elementary grades. Knowing how to incorporate program outcomes in engaging ways into our instruction as teachers is very important. Each resource contains includes a teaching strategy, outcomes, and a brief description of the lesson. While this artifact focuses specifically on English language learning, all subjects are equally crucial for planning. Being able to organize mini-lessons and simplify them allows us as teachers to

As teachers, we should be planning for our instruction in order to be prepared. I will be conducting mini-lessons and using drafts in my future classrooms to plan to learn and ensure I am best prepared for situations. Planning allows teachers to be set up for success and best-fit students' different needs. I will continue to deepen my understanding of planning and incorporate many aspects from my resource bank into future practice. I believe that planning for learning is the best way to create thoughtful, provoking, and engaging instruction for students where authentic learning takes place.