Content Knowledge
Human Development and Learning
Diversity
Planning for Instruction
Learning Environment
Instructional Delivery
Communication
Assessment
Collaborative Relationships
Reflection and Professional Growth
Professional Conduct

Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, methods of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to all students.

When I plan the lessons for the class I based the lessons on the standards for the state and the school.  I also look at the students' needs.  After I have decided on a lesson I will research the topic in order to gain more information to be a knowledgeable assets to the class. 

Literacy Lesson Plan

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Human Development and Learning

The teacher understands how individuals grow, develop, and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.

Through out the entire year the students in my class were being assessed.  This provided the teacher with the knowledge of each individual students learning.  I would also reflect on how well the students understood the concept being taught and that would guide my lessons.  If the students did not understand then I would re teach the lesson using a different method.

The students were allowed many opportunities to work together in pairs and groups.  This provided support for the students in the area of their social and personal development. 

 

 

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Diversity
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

A teacher needs to be aware of the different learners in the classroom.  When a teacher is aware of the diversity present in their classroom, then they may design their lessons around these different learners.  This is done so everyone in the class is able to learn the content of the lesson.  I designed lessons so I knew these students would understand the lesson but the lesson was still challenging to the others in the class who were not at this level of learning.  By knowing all this information about my students’ knowledge and skills, I could help each one with his or her individual learning.

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Planning for Instruction
The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.

I developed lesson plans that interest the students so the students are more willing and capable of learning the material.  When I designed the lessons, I thought of all the possible situations that may occur during the lesson that would affect the lesson.  In addition, when considering lesson plans I used the learning standards for the state and the school.  I must also know where each student’s learning is at in order for the lesson plans to progress the students' learning.  I would make sure the lessons are encompassing so each student is being challenged. 

Math Lesson Plan

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Learning Environment
The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

In the classroom, the class followed the I-Care rules.  There was also a stop light chart to record individual student behavior.  At the end of each day the students must assess their behavior for the day by filling out a happy/sad paper.  For those on sad the teacher must write on the happy/sad paper what the behaviors were for that child moving their clothespin to sad.  In addition, the teacher would ask each child why they were on sad for that day.

 

In addition, I taught a multicultural lesson with the concept of how people can be different but still be similar to each other. The class enjoyed the lesson and understood the concept I taught.  I noticed that the class was getting mean and aggressive towards each other stating that this person said they were not going to be their friend or he/she said he/she does not like me.  After I taught the lesson, I did not hear this conversation among the students.  This is how I knew they understood that it was fine to be different but everyone is friends with all the students in the class.  When the class started having problems with not getting along I would remind them of the crayon box.

 

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Instructional Delivery
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

Since I was in a kindergarten classroom I repeated a lot of the concepts taught because this is the best way for the students to learn.  I was always finding new ways to teach the same concept to the class.  I would try to involve the students in some way to keep the students interested.  I would also ask higher order thinking questions to my higher level students. 

In addition, when I wrote my lesson plans I included information on differentiated learners.  This helped me know which students needed more one on one help, needed some accommodations for the work, or needed the more challenging work.

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Communication
The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

During student teaching I wrote a newsletter every week telling the parents what went on that week and what the class will be studying next week.  I included all the parent and teacher association’s activities in the newsletter.  This was a way to let the parents know what is happening in the classroom and school.  I would also welcome parent volunteers for field trips and for big events that occurred in the classroom.

Introduction Letter to Parents

Goodbye Letter to Parents

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Assessment
The teacher understands various formal and informal assessment strategies and uses them to support the continuous development of all students.

During my student teaching I did many assessments.  The main one I used was oral.  Since I was in a kindergarten classroom this was the best way to get the students to tell you what they knew.  I could not have the students write what they know because they are just learning how to write their letters and some of the common words.  I did have them do writing assessments on a concept that I taught.  I have also given the students worksheets to see how much they understand on their own with math concepts.  I would collect the worksheets and writing samples to make a note of the students who need the extra practice with the concept and to work with them the next time the concept is presented.

In addition to the assessments I used, the students also filled out I Can Do It sheets.  These are sheets where the students can record whether or not they know the concept and the teacher can also record the students progress for the concepts taught in kindergarten.

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Collaborative Relationships
The teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support student learning and well-being.

While student teaching I was required to attend all district/school meetings with my mentor teacher.  I attended building meetings where I got to talk to the different personal in the school.  I also attended grade level meetings.  During these meetings, the grade level personal talked about where students should be placed in reading groups, the next field trip and what themes and activities are going to be taught in the classrooms. 

In addition, I also volunteered at many of the PTA functions.  I ran plinko at the school carnival.  This was a lot of fun because I had the opportunity to interact with the students and their families.  By volunteering at the PTA events this shows the parents that I valued education and family interaction.

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Reflection and Professional Growth
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates how choices and actions affect students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.

Teachers need to continue learning new concepts and the laws for the school system.  When teachers learn they are learning for their students.   I did this by being a part of the Student Education Association (SEA) and holding a board position of Illinois Education Association/National Education Association (IEA/NEA) state representative.  As a member of the IEA/NEA, I get the opportunity to attend conferences.  I have attended four of these conferences and have learned a great deal.  The workshops include lessons for math and reading, classroom management, how to interview, tips for the first year teacher and hints on how to decorate your classroom.  I have also attended an I Can Do It conference sponsored by the IEA/NEA.  At this conference, I learned many techniques to help with classroom management. 

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Professional Conduct
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.

By being a part of the ISU/Pekin Professional Development School I have had the opportunity to take the role of a professional teacher.  I had the opportunity to see education as a profession that must maintained high standards for every aspect involved.  I also provided the students with leadership in order to improve their learning by being their teacher. 

Now, I have a greater understanding of the different aspects of lesson planning, teaching, and classroom management.  During this internship, my confidence in planning and teaching has grown.  I am now ready to begin teaching as a professional.


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