2. Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge

Description: While student teaching 6th grade health, I created a case study mini unit regarding the concept of added sugar and whether there should be a ban on sugary drinks in America. The case study included a research portion, where students used different reading strategies to gather evidence and knowledge, a debate, where students were split into two teams to defend their position using evidence, and an infographic, made using google sites in support of which ever side of the debate they were on.

Connection: This case study connects to standard two, specifically performance indicator 2J, in that it represents my own grasp of domain specific vocabulary as well as my ability to help my students develop content area literacy in multiple ways.

Explanation: Watching my students interact with and complete each of the three parts of the case study reminded me as their teacher of the importance of facilitating learning in a way that is meaningful, applicable, and interactive.

Description: This lesson plan is one I taught to introduce our volleyball unit while student teaching at a middle school.  

Connection: This lesson plan connects to performance indicator 2m in that it introduces the sport of volleyball in a way that is fitting for all students, depsite difference in prior knowedge. The lesson helps students differentiate common form errors as well as builds off previous knowledge from past years in PE.

Explanation: Teaching this lesson helped me learn the importance of asking leveled questions in order to create opportunity for all students to participate in discussion and learn. The more I understand my own content, the better I will be able to help my students understand its structures and litteracy.