INTASC Standard: Student Development
The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support a child’s intellectual, social, and personal development.
Hands-on Learning in First Grade: Primary level students require hands-on learning opportunities in order to develop conceptual understanding and build real-world connections with content. The above photographs were taken during the launch for a science lesson focusing on the Sun and shadows. Students worked with a partner to trace one another’s shadow outline with chalk on the blacktop in the early morning sun. Students then created illustrations of their shadows in their science notebooks. After lunch, the students were brought back outside to discover how their shadows changed as compared to the original outlines. Students then wrote a sentence about how their shadows changed as the Sun moved in their science notebooks before the Sun & Shadows lesson began. This allowed the students to build pre-knowledge to reference during questioning within the lesson.
INTASC Standard: Learning Differences
The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Differentiated Fourth Grade Lesson Plan: This fourth grade ELA lesson plan pulled from a novel study unit utilizes a few of the many differentiation strategies that can be implemented to meet the needs of all students. Diverse learners including English Language Learners and students with disabilities may require different strategies in the classroom. A key duty of all educators is to understand diverse needs of students and adjust planning/instruction to give all students equitable access to education. Strategies included in this lesson plan are graphic organizers, pre-teaching, translation tools, intentional grouping, and modified materials. These strategies are intended to scaffold instruction so all students are able to meet the same learning objectives.
INTASC Standard: Learning Environments
The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
First Grade Daily Routine: Routine and structure are critical to the development of young learners. An effective learning environment should be one in which students are safe, happy, and ready to learn. Structured environments contribute to increased motivation and engagement for all. It is important to me as an educator to work towards building healthy learning environments. As a long-term first grade substitute, I developed a highly structured routine with my students. The day began with independent morning work before morning meeting was initiated with a GoNoodle song and dance. After all students gathered on the carpet, we reviewed the schedule for the day, sang the weather song, then the "meteorologist" of the day would announce the weather. The students would solve a quick, interactive math problem related to the current unit or general number sense to warm them up for the day. Students were given a "Would you rather?" question and had the chance to share their choice and why. This gave students an opportunity to share a piece of themselves and build community. Before beginning content-area work, we would review our learning targets for the core subjects of the day to get ready. After lunch, we would review the schedule once again for the remainder of the day and share during 3C time. During 3C time, students had the opportunity to make a comment, voice a concern, or give a compliment. This allowed students to build community and feel their voice mattered.
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