8. Collaborative Relationships

Rationale:

The above lesson was created in collaboration with my cooperating teacher as well as other members of the social studies department. This lesson focuses on the practice of gerrymandering, and was a part of a larger unit where students discussed different ways to improve Congress.

The importance of this artifact is that it shows that I initiated "collaboration with others to create opportunities that enhance student learning" (8L). I had mapped out the lecture portion of the lesson, but reached out to my cooperating teacher who provided the activity on the left. Another department member had found the mini-golf game during a prior school year.

This is another lesson that features the students modelling what we discussed in class, similar to the amendment writing activity. However, this lesson was different in that I got the chance to contribute to the school's curriculum, which became one of my favorite parts about my student teaching experience, and is something I hope to do more of in the future.

This is an assessment I created with my cooperating teacher as a part of a unit on Congress. The written portion of the assessment covers the "blue-slip" policy commonly used in regard to federal judge nominations, and the multiple choice covers what was discussed during the week.

Through this artifact, I met one of the knowledge indicators for collaborative relationships, "the competent teacher understands the collaborative process and the skills necessary to initiate and carry out that process" (8B). This was the first time I had written an essay question, and my cooperating teacher wrote the multiple choice. We communicated frequently on what the test should cover, and information the students would need to know to successfully answer the questions.

Students were very successful with this assessment, and I had the opportunity to collaborate with my cooperating teacher. It gave me an opportunity to work one-on-one with another educator, and gave me practical experience writing a test. This assessment is an important part of my portfolio because it shows not only my ability to write assessment questions, but also shows that I am a team player.