Standard+4

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Standard 4 The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
 * Teachers know how to teach. **

Evidence 1: Why Hate Poetry? Podcast media type="file" key="20100412 124714.m4a" width="300" height="50"

Rationale 1: This lesson was created for 8th grade literacy students during the poetry unit. During the unit, students were expected to write a variety of poems based on discrimination. Students were given the opportunity to present one of the poems they wrote with an explanation of why they picked that particular poem by making a Podcast to share with the class.

While many students are uncomfortable presenting in front of class, this assignment gave students a different way to present their poem. The evidence showed me that the students were relieved to make a Podcast instead of presenting orally to the class. Students’ presentation were much better than if given orally because they were able to redo the Podcast until they were pleased with the results.

KSD 4.K.1 The teacher understands the cognitive processes associated with various kinds of learning (e.g. critical and creative thinking, problem structuring, invention, memorization and recall) and how these processes can be stimulated. Using my understanding of how students learn, I was able to create a fun and engaging way for the students to present their knowledge of poetry using technology.

4.S.1 The teacher carefully evaluates how to achieve learning goals, choosing alternative teaching strategies and materials to achieve different instructional purposes and to meet student needs (e.g. developmental stages, prior knowledge, learning styles, learning differences, and interests). The instructional purpose for this lesson was to give students an alternative way to present their learning in a fun and interesting way while students showed their understanding poetry.

4.D.1 The teacher values the development of students’ critical thinking, independent problem solving, and performance capabilities. While giving the assignment, I was able to assess the student’s performance capabilities by listening to their podcast. By giving this assignment as an alternative to presenting orally, students displayed less anxiety.