A teacher must understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking,
problem solving, and performance skills.
problem solving, and performance skills.
Here is a lesson from the 4th grade math unit: students are learning from their peers using iPads and Air Drop!
Description of Artifacts
Artifact 1: Mini Math Unit
This artifact is a 3-day math unit that I taught during my student teaching experience. It consists of teaching multi digit multiplication by using different strategies. These strategies include portioning a rectangle, using the multiplication rule for multiplying by 10, 100 and 1000, and using estimation and evaluating the result. |
Artifact 2: Guided Reading Lesson
This artifact is a small group, guided reading lesson that I did as a junior in a first-grade classroom. It involves reading a level-appropriate book with emphasis on fluency and accuracy, using text features, doing leveled word work within the group, and writing responses with support. |
Analysis
Artifact 1: Mini Math Unit
This math unit was a wonderful experience in learning to teach students different strategies to use in math. Rochester Public Schools uses the Everyday Math, spiraled learning curriculum, which allows for teaching the each standard on more than one day and at different times during the year. This way, students can practice the concept, skill or strategy many times throughout the year. This artifact shows the different instructional strategies to learn multiplication. Since the lessons build on one another, it allows for problem solving and highlights the students ability to perform using different strategies. |
Artifact 2: Guided Reading Lesson
This artifact is a wonderful tool for future use in planning for guided reading. Because guided reading is focused on leveled groups of students, multiple strategies must be used to effectively teach reading, writing and communication skills to students. This was a wonderful hands-on experience in learning how and what to teach students, so they can each learn at their own level and at their own pace. |
Synthesis
Artifact 1: Mini Math Unit
In this math unit, I found it important to formatively assess the students multiple times during the lesson. I also found that assessing the students at the end of the lesson using technology, made it easier for me and more fun for them. I liked the Class Kick app where the students could show me what they knew and I could comment on their work and highlight areas to check immediately. I could also keep their work for future reference without filing any paperwork. This math lesson opened my eyes to the importance of planning, instruction and assessment, to make sure I am incorporating problem solving, expected performance, critical thinking and student development. |
Artifact 2: Guided Reading Lesson
I am looking forward to using this in my own classroom, but am considering the intense preparation and discipline necessary to stay on time and watch the rest of the class when working with only a few students intently, for a short time. |