Danielle Maynard Teacher Portfolio
- It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge- Albert Einstein -
Planning For Authentic Instruction
Planning
It should go without saying that a major factor in a teacher's effectiveness lies in the way we prepare for instruction. As Martorella, et al. (2005) note, "carefully prepared, well-designed plans are a key ingredient in all successful teaching." For instruction to be truly beneficial, planning needs to start at the end, with emphasis on the skills and knowledge that students will have once the process is complete. From that point, a teacher can begin the process of "designing down", creating individual lesson plans designed to achieve those goals piece by piece, taking in to account the learning styles and interests of students. As Wilen, et. al (2004) have stated, "better learning usually results when the teacher plans units with the aim of achieving objectives based on the content and students' needs." Thus, planning must incorporate both assessment and instruction, and should incorporate a blueprint to carry all students to the desired outcomes. Below I have attached a few long term plans, persinal growth goals and units plans.
The Research
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Activating and building on students' prior knowledge is not only a way to ensure a cohesive unit of study, but also creates a more manageable structure on which students can construct and relate new information
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Designing lessons to include breaks for reflection and discussion has become a priority of mine as I attempt to better motivate and engage students with limited attention spans.
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In addition to bringing a diverse set of abilities to class, students will also bring a wide variety of experiences and interests to the classroom. Although diverse experiences require a great deal of preparation for a teacher to properly reach students, diversity in the classroom should be seen as an asset, as students can bring their range of experiences and skills together to complement one another's learning.