Standard 1.

The candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the discipline(s) within the context of a global society and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.

Paragraph It is important for teachers to make learning and material relevant to students prior experiences and knowledge. Through ensuring that the material is meaningful to the students, teachers are motivating students. Additionally teachers are able to make explicit links between what is going on in the classroom and what is going on in the outside world. By providing real world, relevant examples to students, teachers can make sure that students understand concepts. It is important for students to begin to make connections between real world and school content, to teach this strategy teachers can model for the students. As a teacher, I can provide my students with opportunities to read throughout the content areas. For example, by reading current events students are able to gain new knowledge by building off information they already know. Furthermore, I am providing my student with different ways of interacting with the content. In order for students to be successful in the classroom it is important for the teacher to provide various opportunities for learning. By connecting in class instruction to students cultures, teachers begin to teach to individual students. Additionally it is important for teachers to

Reflections Literacy Reflection

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

Differentiation Reflection

consider the students ability levels when providing instruction. The material should be challenging but with scaffolding the student should be able to successfully complete the assignment. The activities that teachers provide their students through which learning can occur may also be differentiated based on learning style. By considering the above areas of differentiation the teacher is able to reach all the students in his or her classroom. 4. The candidate recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development and develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon student, district, and state performance standards. Before beginning instruction it is critical that teachers have clear understanding of what they want their students to learn by creating learning outcomes. The learning outcomes must be aligned to the state standards and district curriculum. Additionally, preassessments will provide teachers with valuable information which can be used to drive instruction and modify learning outcomes. The assessments that the teacher provides to students must test students learning and understanding. Teachers can assess students through the use of formative or summative assessments completed formally or informally. Critical thinking and problem solving are skills that teacher should strive to develop in their students. In order to successfully reach these goals teacher must implement a variety of Assessment Reflection

Technology Reflection

5. The candidate uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

Differentiation Reflection

Technology reflection

instructional strategies. Presenting information through multiple means allows teachers to address the diverse needs of the learners in their class. Information should be presented through methods that allow visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners to have access to the content. Teachers should keep track of the strategies that were successful and along with the ones are not to ensure optimal use of classroom time. Students personal beliefs about the strategies should also be taken into consideration. The teacher may find it useful to ask questions such as how the strategies can be improved to fit his or her needs. 6. The candidate has awareness of the different aspects of literacy development and related teaching procedures for both Native English speakers and students who are English language learners. Literacy teachers must be aware of literacy development strategies in ELL and Native English speakers. In order to gain information about the different types of readers, teachers must evaluate each students level. Literacy throughout the content areas is an important component of the Common Core state standards. Through incorporating literacy instruction across subject matter teachers are ensuring that their students are further developing their reading skills. Additionally, these students are able to read to learn, while learning to read. Both formal and informal assessments are necessary to ensure that all aspects of student learning are assessed. Formal and

Literacy Reflection

Literacy Reflection

10. The candidate understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous

Assessment Reflection

intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.

informal assessments can be used together to gain a complete picture of students understanding. Assigning classroom observations, tests, quizzes, and projects allows teachers to assess a variety of skills. Using multiple methods of assessment, and giving students choices allows students to showcase their knowledge by utilizing their strengths. Additionally informal and formal assessments allow teachers to make decisions about their own teaching practices. They can reflect upon which strategies the students responded well to and which ones were not effective. Teaching is a process of change and growth. To become a successful teacher, one must be open to new ideas and critique their own work. By keeping notes, making observations, and using feedback to make changes in strategies teacher become reflective. Being a reflective teacher offers opportunities to grow. Not all lessons will be successful; one might overestimate, or underestimate the ability level of their students. However by learning from their mistakes and implementing new strategies teachers are able to grow as a professional. As the teachers grow and develop based on their students needs, the students in turn will also grow and develop. Assessment Reflection

11. The candidate is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others. This reflective practitioner actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally and utilizes the assessment and professional growth to generate more learning for more students.