Standard 7: Planning. Candidates plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
Supporting Explanation Candidates use their knowledge of subject matter, learning theory, curriculum and student development, and assessed student needs in planning instruction. They evaluate, select and create learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate, relevant to students and based upon the principles of effective teaching. They are able to help students connect learning to real life and future careers. Candidates identify long-range instructional goals, sequence short-range instructional objectives, and develop units and daily lessons that target these goals and objectives. Candidates effectively integrate a variety of resources, including teacher-created materials, textbooks, technology, community and business resources, to promote student learning.
My Reflection of This Standard In education I have learned that the process of planning is never ending. I believe that I have a wide variety of resources to pull from to use different types of instructional materials to reach lesson goals and state standards. The first part of planning is to know, understand, and have a background of all of the standards I will be teaching. I think that it is important to know the grade level standards that I will be teaching, but I also think that it is also important to have some knowledge of the skills addressed prior and after my grade level. For example, If I teach in the second grade I would not feel comfortable teaching unless I knew the skills my students were coming to second grade with (those standards addressed in first grade) and have a plan of where they were going (those standards they will learn in third grade). The most fun part of a lesson is creating connections to the real world, because students are able to remember more when connections are made. Making connections also allows students to become interested in learning! The final part of planning that makes it a never ending process if reflection. I know that it is important to reflect on each and every lesson in order to teach better in the future.
Artifact Explanation: I have included a portion of an assignment that I have completed that is on this website under Management Portfolio. I have included the curriculum map section in order to show my detailed planning. Click here to see the full curriculum plan.