Standard 2 - Content Area and Pedagogical Knowledge – The competent teacher has in-depth understanding of content area knowledge that includes central concepts, methods of inquiry, structures of the disciplines, and content area literacy. The teacher creates meaningful learning experiences for each student based upon interactions among content area and pedagogical knowledge, and evidence-based practice.
Standard Connections:
2A) understands theories and philosophies of learning and human development as they relate to the range of students in the classroom;
2C) understands the cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning (e.g., critical and creative thinking, problem-structuring and problem-solving, invention, memorization, and recall) and ensures attention to these learning processes so that students can master content standards;
2D) understands the relationship of knowledge within the disciplines to other content areas and to life applications;
2E) understands how diverse student characteristics and abilities affect processes of inquiry and influence patterns of learning;
2F) knows how to access the tools and knowledge related to latest findings (e.g., research, practice, methodologies) and technologies in the disciplines;
2G) understands the theory behind and the process for providing support to promote learning when concepts and skills are first being introduced; and
2H) understands the relationship among language acquisition (first and second), literacy development, and acquisition of academic content and skills. Performance Indicators.
2I) evaluates teaching resources and materials for appropriateness as related to curricular content and each student’s needs;
2J) uses differing viewpoints, theories, and methods of inquiry in teaching subject matter concepts;
2K) engages students in the processes of critical thinking and inquiry and addresses standards of evidence of the disciplines;
2L) demonstrates fluency in technology systems, uses technology to support instruction and enhance student learning, and designs learning experiences to develop student skills in the application of technology appropriate to the disciplines;
2M) uses a variety of explanations and multiple representations of concepts that capture key ideas to help each student develop conceptual understanding and address common misunderstandings;
2N) facilitates learning experiences that make connections to other content areas and to life experiences;
2O) designs learning experiences and utilizes assistive technology and digital tools to provide access to general curricular content to individuals with disabilities;
2P) adjusts practice to meet the needs of each student in the content areas; and
2Q) applies and adapts an array of content area literacy strategies to make all subject matter accessible to each student.
In these lessons, I was able to use our everyday board games to create and use new concepts. With these new learning strategies, I have created interactive and engaging ways for students to apply addition facts and use letter recognition. This lesson allowed me to have the students use their prior knowledge from their spelling words and create words using the game of Scrabble. These lessons allowed me to use a variety of tools to help build their understanding
This lesson connected to the standards allowed the students to apply critical and creative thinking, problem-structuring and problem-solving, invention, memorization, and recall) and ensures attention to these learning processes so that students can master the content. It also provided support instruction and enhances student learning. It designs learning experiences to develop student skills in the application of technology appropriate to the disciplines. These lessons use a variety of explanations and multiple representations of concepts that capture key ideas to help each student develop conceptual understanding and address common misunderstandings. Finally, these lessons also facilitate learning experiences that make connections to other content areas and to life experiences.