Standards of Effective Practice

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14OmvuWAN3O9nr0LOqY5FnZ1lLqfhAdsAXZuD3tOsqZs/edit?usp=sharing

For a math class, we focused on creating the materials for a unit about area and perimeter. These materials include important vocabulary list, graphic organizer, guided notes for all three sections, three activities along with an assessment. Students use their knowledge about this topic to answer real world problems along with developing their ability to problem solve and think critically.

Standard Seven: Planning Instruction

Teachers need to be able to plan and manage instruction based on content, standards, student and community. To begin this process, I was given a copy of the state standards required for the unit. From there I researched important vocabulary for students to know about the topics give. Next I created a graphic organizer about what I wanted the students to know and care about for all three sections of the unit. From there, I created guided notes that would be presented to the students as a group. All three sections of guided notes include conceptual questions, application questions and procedural questions. There is also a variety of different types of questions including word problems, equation problems, picture problems and table problems. Next, I created activities for all three sections that helped students gain a deeper understanding about the material. These activities are done with a partner or in a small group of three students. Lastly, I created an assessment. For this unit to be completed, it would take about a week, one day for each lesson, a day of review and the fifth day would be the assessment. Modifications can easily be made so all students can participate in the lesson.

Standard Eight: Assessment

Being able to assess students understanding is a very important part of education. Giving students feedback about the work they do for assessments is also vital for student to improve and continue the students learning. Using summative assessments like exit tickets or homework is helpful not only for the teacher but also the student. This type of assessment can show the teacher what the students are struggling to understand and can show the students what they still need to learn more about. Formative assessments are what I focused on in this unit mainly because of the age of the students. Middle school to high school students have a better understanding of this types of assessment. The assessment I created has a variety of questions at a variety of different levels. Formative assessments make it easy for teachers to give feedback because their work is on the page and teachers can spot mistakes quickly.

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This assignment required me to create a classroom layout and explain why I set my classroom up the way I did. I choose to place my students in groups of two that stagger all facing the front of the room. The classroom supplies and class books are at the back of the class and the classroom computers are farthest from the door. Students turn their homework into a basket at the front corner of the room. My desk would be the farthest front corner of the room facing the students.

Standard Five: Learning Environment

It is important for a teacher to understand their class and create an environment that is conducive to learning for all students. To do this, teachers need to understand their students first and create an environment that works for that class. This can mean that it changes every year but the rules that you have in a learning environment doesn't have to change. My layout encouraged group work which helps build peer relationships along with responsibilities among the students. My classroom will be welcoming to all my students and the students will help me create classroom rules that everyone will follow. It is just as much of the teachers responsibility to create the environment for the students along with the students responsibility to respect the expectations, rules and others in the class.

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For this assignment I were given a variety of different activities to choose from to research a demographic group. My group was African American students in special education. For my activities, I read the book Why are so Many Minority Students in Special Education, I also met with Ne'Angela Edwards who works in the Inclusion and Diversity office at Winona State and finally I researched a website. These activities not only helped me gain knowledge about my specific demographic group but much more.

Standard Three: Diverse Learners

These activities gave me a better understanding of what diverse learners can look like along with what they need to succeed. In my interview with Ne'Angela, she focused a lot on what African American students in general need. She noted that students need to see themselves in the curriculum and around the school. She also mentioned that making slight changes as a teacher to understand students culture can be a big change in their education. In the book, they focused on teachers differentiating activities so all students no matter their first language, background, home life, etc. can understand the content. The website focused not suspending students right away but finding other techniques in the classroom to help them.

Standard Ten: Collaboration, ethics and relationships

The book, Why are so Many Minority Students in Special Education, focused on collaboration between all parts of the school along with the families of the students. Having strong relationships with the families and students is an important part being a teacher. Not only does it build a strong community within a classroom but it builds strong teacher to student relationships that help students succeed in school. Collaboration within a school is important so all faculty are on the same page and it can help create respect amongst all parts of the school. All parts of my activity covered a part of ethics. Having a strong ethical background is an important part of being a teacher. Ne'Angela Edwards stressed this in her interview, she thinks that having a strong moral standings will help make a change for the better when it comes to helping all students succeed inside and outside the classroom.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FRZwyKyhNujvPM6xi-3kI_yM2tf1O9cewbpje56Lbw4/edit?usp=sharing

For my ethnography I decided on my topic by spending a lot of time in Winona Middle School observing different classrooms. After observing, two main classrooms I decided my topic of the paper would be culturally relevant teaching and classroom management. From there I did research about my topic from different literary journals along with my observations. My paper was then peer reviewed and I made changes based off of the peer reviewers advice. I gained a better understanding of the school I was at along with how to be a better educator.

Standard Nine: Reflection and Professional Development

It is important for teachers to reflect and develop beyond were they are currently at. This paper helped me research culturally relevant teaching practices that are in use today. I also researched popular classroom management techniques that are used along with classroom environments that students succeed in best. It also made me think about what I would do if I was currently in the teachers position that I was observing. This reflection about myself is important to remember for the future because it is key to becoming and staying a great educator. I also was able to take peers advice and better my paper from their advice. It is important to be able to collaborate professionally with others along with take advice from peers and do something with that advice. This not only helped me reflect on myself as a future educator but also helped me develop into a professional in the educational world.