• 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.

 

I did an underwater unit with my third grade class in March of 2006.  Before I started the unit, there were many things I did to prepare for it.  First I did research on the internet to search for ideas and information to use in my lessons.  Then I looked for underwater books in our school learning center to display in our classroom.  From there, I made posters and decorated bulletin boards with factual information and descriptive illustrations of the mysteries of the deep.  I wanted to provide my students with information about our unit all over the classroom.

 

Here is a picture of my mentor and I in front of one of my underwater bulletin boards.

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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.

 

As a teacher I try to create my lessons to reach the multiple intelligences that I have in my classroom.  One way I do this is by incorporating a computer activity into my lessons.  I have found that children love to be on the computer and are actually learning while they are having fun. Another way I reach the various intelligences in my classroom is by giving the students small and whole group instruction, as well as one-on-one and guided instruction.  This gives me a chance to see how my students do on an individual level along with a group setting, too.

Here is a picture of me working with my students in a small group setting.

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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.

 

At the beginning of the school year, I make sure that I find the various learning styles of my students.  I think that it is important to find these diversities at the beginning of the year in order to incorporate them in planning, goal based lesson plans, throughout the year.  All of my lesson plan goals are based upon state assessed skills.  With those goals, I make sure that I vary my instruction to adapt to all of my various learners.  If I start a lesson instructing up in front of the classroom, I will more likely than not, give my students a chance to work independently or with a partner.  I feel that hands on experimentation and student peers can be the best teachers.

Here is a picture of two of my students who are working with manipulalives during a fraction lesson.
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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.

 

When writing lesson plans, I think of ways that I could gain student interest using curriculum goals.  I first try to start off with a good anticipatory set.  An anticipatory set gives the students a chance to become engaged in the lesson.  Once I draw my students into the lesson, the key is to keep their interest.  One way I keep their interest was to break up a lesson.  If I am going to instruct at the beginning of a lesson, then there may be a need for me to stop halfway through the lesson and give the students a chance to work on their own or with a partner. Another way to keep their interest is to keep them actively involved. When students are doing a hands-on activity, they are allowed to explore the activity and learn on their own or withtheir peers.  Students need to become responsible for their own learning and teachers need to give them opportunities to do so.

 

Here is a picture of one of my students reading an accelerated reader book at her reading level.

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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.

 

 

It is important for students to understand why they are being disciplined.  As a teacher I try to form a relationship with each one of my students so the student will understand that when he is being disciplined, it is because there are higher expectations of him.  The reason is not because I dislike the student, rather it is because I know that the student can do or act better.  Students need to know that they are responsible for what they do and that there are consequences for good and bad behavior.  These expectations should be relayed to each student at the beginning of the year.  From there, it is important that each student follows the classroom management plan and for the teacher to be consistent of using the classroom management plan on a daily basis.  In doing that, the students will know what is expected of them.

Here is a behavior management plan that I had for one of my students.

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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.

 

 

When I go about planning a lesson, I take into consideration the learners that are going to be taught the lesson.  I not only make my lessons based on my various learners, but I try to think of ways to make my lessons fun for everyone.  There are many resources that I utilize to make my lessons fun and challenging.  The internet can be a wonderful resource to use.  Some districts, like the one I student taught in, will provide an online resource page for teachers to refer to.  When students are actively engaged in a lesson that challenges him or her, they will grow as a learner.

 

Here is a picture of my students actively engaged in a computer activity.

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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.

 

I think that it is very important for a teacher to communicate with students, parents and faculty both inside and outside the school building.  At the beginning of the school year, I try to form a relationship with each student in order for the student to feel like they can communicate openly with me throughout the year.  It is also my responsibility to provide her/him contact information to the parents; making sure that she/he is reachable at any time.  As a teacher, I find by communicating with other faculty, there is less confusion in the building and the school will flow in unison.  Communication is one key to success in education.

Mrs. Miller’s and Miss Dehmlow’s Weekly Newsletter

 

Week of March 27, 2006

 

A Look at the Week

Reading: Continue “Helen Keller” unit –

 

Math: Multiplication and Starting Division

 

Spelling and DOL: Unit 27 spelling and DOL -

                                    

Cursive Writing: Reviewing all cursive letters

 

 Reminders and Information:

• There will be a Helen Keller Quiz on Wednesday!
• We now have plenty of baby food jars…thank you!

 

 Homework:

Monday: math work sheet

Tuesday: reading response work sheet

Wednesday: language assignment (verbs)

Here is an example of a newsletter that I sent home to parents on a weekly basis.  The newsletter entailed what homework their child had for the week, what tests were going to be given that week and any other information that I wanted to share with the 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.

 

As a teacher I tried to vary my assessments in order to reach all of my learners.  I used both, formal and informal, assessments with my students.  One formal assessment that I use is a test.  When I give a test, I have the option of using multiple choice, true or false, matching, fill the blank and short answer to vary your approach.  Another formal assessment that I use is a foldable. I feel that foldables are a great hands-on activity to measure student learning.  There are also ways to measure student learning through informal assessments.  Walking around the classroom is a great way to check for understanding.  Posing questions using Bloom’s Taxonomy allows for students to think critically and to assess students learning.  These are just a few of the many ways that assessments can be done in the classroom to reach multiple learners.

Here is a picture of a Titanic web that a student made.  I used the web as an assessment.

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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.

 

If there is one thing that I have learned through my student teaching process, it is that forming relationships with educational personnel can be very beneficial.  As a student teacher, it was very important for me to take initiative in getting to know other faculty in the school building.  Doing this allowed for me to get to know a little about those individuals.  From there, I was able to use those individuals as resources when planning my lessons and activities.  Getting to know faculty in the building also gave me a chance to get to know a little more about the school building I was in.  A school’s faculty, who have worked in the school building, are the best resource for how the school building is run.

I have also learned the importance of taking the time outside of the school day to build relationships with students and their families. During my student teacher, I attended the Pekin District 108 Young Author’s Conference.  I volunteered my time by passing out programs, assisting people with finding seats, and meeting with young author winners and their parents after the presentation.  I also learned that taking a little extra time to validate a child’s hard work means a great deal to both the child and his/her parents.  Even though it was a long day for me, the extra effort was well worth it. 

Here is a picture of me with a student at

The Young Author's Conference.
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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.

 

My experience through student teaching has taught me the importance of reflecting upon daily lessons.  At the end of each day, during my student teaching experience, my mentor and I would discuss how we felt the day went, areas that we both thought I did well in and areas of improvement.  From there, we talked about things that I would have liked to have done differently and how I would have changed the lesson.  I have learned that no matter how much planning and preparation you put into your lessons, you need to feel comfortable in altering your plans if things don’t go right.  With that, I feel that each lesson is not only a learning experience for my students, but for me, as well.  I plan to continually reflect on my teaching to help me continue growing and improving as an educator.

Here is a picture of two of my students in my reading group reflecting in their journals on a Cinderella story they just read.
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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.

 

 

As a teacher I look to my self as a professional inside and outside of the building that I teach in.  If you see yourself as a professional, others will look to you as being one.  Therefore, it is vital to realize that as a teacher you are in a leadership role and take responsibility for your professional conduct.  I do this by making sure I dress in an appropriate manner, communicate with teachers, students and parents professionally and think like a professional on a daily basis.

Here is a picture of my mentor and me.
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