Targeted Essential Learning
Specific instructional teaching methodologies are employed in classroom learning environments, across multiple disciplines, in order to achieve maximum learning for early childhood students. (NAEYC 1, 3, 4, 6; INTASC 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9; APTS 1, 2, 3, 4, 6)
- Lesson Plans
- Reflective Essay
Specific Performance/Task(s) (Include cognitive level)
Compile and implement lesson plans that include a range of authentic and engaging activities that support various learning needs and styles. (NAEYC 1.3d)
Design instructional activities and environments through analysis of positive and negative effects of multiple influences on child development and learning. (NAEYC 1.5b)
Create and apply the concept of alignment consistent with and connected to appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children. (NAEYC 3.2a)
Construct instructional plans that incorporate early childhood theories and research. (NAEYC 4.1c)
Incorporate a variety of learning experiences within the curriculum that are rich in language building opportunities and differentiated instruction. (NAEYC 4.2b)
Analyze teaching and instructional resources in order to reflect, modify, and improve instruction. (NAEYC 6.6b)
Relevancy of Task to Teacher Candidate
General Practicum Information
- Spend 10 hours in two classrooms (20 total hours). Let your mentors know that you are working on developing lesson plans that demonstrate best practices in developing a healthy, supportive environment for learning in the five disciplines covered in this course. Throughout the practicum/field experience, observe and interview your mentors as to these best practices. One observation must be in Birth-PK environment and one placement must be in a Title 1 school that includes K-3.
- The following assignments will help you complete your required hours for the practicum and may be used to complete the Benchmark Assessment:
- Practicum and Application 1: Lesson Planning: By Module 3, complete 4 hours in a Title 1 (K-3) classroom and submit the associated assignment.
- Practicum and Application 2: Language: By Module 4, complete 3 hours in a Birth-PK classroom and submit the associated assignment.
- Practicum and Application 3: Math/Science: By Module 5, complete 3 hours in a Title 1 (K-3) classroom and submit the associated assignment.
- Practicum and Application 4: Social Studies: By Module 6, complete 3 hours in a Title 1 (K-3) classroom and submit the associated assignment.
- Benchmark Assessment: In Module 6, complete 5 hours in your chosen Birth-PK or K-3 classroom, teach the chosen content area lesson, videotape it, and reflect on it with the mentor teacher.
- Practicum and Application 5: Music/Creative Arts: By Module 7, complete 2 hours in a Birth-PK classroom and submit the associated assignment.
Benchmark Assessment
Let’s Plan a Lesson! Planning for the Early Childhood Experience
- Lesson Plan
- In the Module 4 Practicum and Application 2: Language assignment, you will design a whole group or small group reading lesson plan for PK students. Ensure you have used one of the lesson plan templates available on the College of Education’s page in the Student Success Center.
- In Module 6, you will teach this lesson to the class for which it was created and your mentor teacher will videotape your presentation of the lesson.
- View the video with your mentor teacher and together analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Reflect on your practice.
- Based on your experience of teaching the content area lesson and from the feedback of your mentor teacher, revise the lesson plan.
- Reflective Essay
- Write a 1,000-1,250 word reflective essay analyzing the effectiveness of the lesson. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
- What successes did you have?
- What are some areas for improvement?
- What have you learned about the teaching profession from this experience?
- Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
- Submit the original lesson plan, the revised plan, and the reflective analysis to the instructor by the end of Module 7. Upload the video (completed in Module 6) to teachertube.com and provide the URL to your instructor for viewing.
- Additionally, submit the assignment in TaskStream. Directions for submitting to TaskStream can be found on the College of Education’s page in the Student Success Center.
Scoring Tool/Guide (Rubric)
ECH 335 Instructional Teaching Methodologies: Language, Math, Science, Social Studies, and the Arts
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