Instructional Practice

Instructional Practice 

Standard #6: Assessment 

The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. 

For this standard I decided to use a lesson plan I made for a my math unit plan from my Teaching Math class. I chose this lesson plan for this standard because I use a range of assessment techniques to track students' progress and direct both my teaching and their learning. I check for understanding in real time during guided practice in this lesson using informal assessments like observation, questioning, and student explanations. As students work in pairs, I also use an observation checklist to monitor their progress and spot any misunderstandings.

Additionally, I incorporate a more formal assessment using the independent Unit Review worksheet, which enables students to show that they understand counting, place value, and adding and subtracting tens. This lesson, in my opinion, is a great illustration of assessment since it provides students with numerous chances to demonstrate their knowledge while also assisting me in personalized instruction to their individual needs. Additionally, it helps students become more conscious of their own development by encouraging them to consider what they have learned during closure.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction 

The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross- disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.  (El Ed - Teaching Math Lesson Plan; Sec. Ed - Gen Methods Unit Plan)

For this standard, I choose a fluency lesson plan I created in my Teaching Reading and Language Arts class.  I selected this lesson plan for this standard because it shows how I use strong content knowledge, effective instructional strategies, and an understanding of my students to plan instruction that supports all students in meeting learning objectives. In order to help students develop fluency skills like rate, phrasing, and expression, I use modeling, guided practice, and independent practice in this lesson. In order to demonstrate my ability to plan according to the needs of each individual student, I also incorporate accommodations for a range of learners, including ELL students, struggling learners, advanced learners, and students with dyslexia.

In order to enhance student learning, I also employ interesting and developmentally appropriate techniques like choral reading, repetition, and discussion. Additionally, this lesson makes connections to students' past experiences and knowledge, which fosters comprehension and self-assurance. This lesson, in my opinion, is a great illustration of this standard since it demonstrates how I create an inclusive learning environment where all students can succeed by utilizing my content knowledge, instructional strategies, and student knowledge.

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. 

For this standard, I chose a lesson plan I created in my Integrating Arts Class. The reason I chose this lesson plan for this standard is in the lesson I use a variety of instructional strategies that would encourage my students to develop a better understanding of this content. In this lesson I give my students a take home activity that they can complete with their parents and it is talking about their emotions and why they feel the way they feel. I think that this activity represents a great strategy to use in the classroom because it helps students to learn outside of the classroom and make better connections outside of the classroom instead of their learning always being incorporated inside of the classroom.