Domain 1 – Planning and Preparation

Readings

Domain 1:  Planning, Preparation, and Assessment

Teachers who excel, design instruction that is coherent, include appropriate assessment techniques, and gear instruction to the diversity of students who are in the class. The components of this domain define how a teacher organizes the content that students are to learn, such as:

Demonstrating Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy
Demonstrating Knowledge of Students
Selecting Instructional Goals
Demonstrating Knowledge of Resources Designing Coherent Instruction Assessing Student Learning

Reading One:

Read the following article at the provided link.  This is an article on using formative and summative assessments appropriately, and to improve your students’ progress.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec07/vol65/num04/The-Best-Value-in-Formative-Assessment.aspx

Reading Two:

Read the following article at the provided link.  This is an article on building transfer for your students, as well as understanding the instructional sequence so that you can better format your lessons to improve student understanding and retention.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may08/vol65/num08/Put-Understanding-First.aspx

Reading Three:

Read the following articles at the provided links.  They are articles on “Understanding By Design: Backward Design.”  These articles have easy to understand breakdowns of how planning backwards from your summative assessments is the best way to be sure that students will understand all required material necessary to complete required assessments.

Overview of backward design-

http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdf

Handbook on backward design with sample units planned with backward design-

http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/books/mctighe2004_intro.pdf

Videos and Media

Video One:

Click the link below for a short video on what formative assessments should be used for, and what they should NOT be used for.

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=10_Things_Formatives_Won_t_Tell_You&video_id=208244 

Video Two:

Click the link below for a short video on how to effectively use backward design in your classroom.

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=124460&title=Backward_Design_EDC&vpkey=

Powerpoint One:

Click on the attached powerpoint presentation below, and read through it for a clear understanding of the different stages of Backward Design.

Additional Info:

Click on the attached document below, and read through it for a more in depth understanding of unpacking standards to align with backwards design plans.

Attachments

Unpacking_Standards_Activity.docx

Backwards_Design_and_Unpacking_Standards.ppt

Response Questions -COMPLETE

Response Question One: Helpful Assessments (Write 200 words)

What types of assessment do you find most helpful for measuring student progress in a data-driven world?  Please consider both formative and summative assessments in this topic. Attach your response here or upload a word document using your last name as an identifier. 

Response Question Two: Planning for Obstacles (Write 200 words)

When planning lessons, what obstacles do teachers face in trying to accommodate cultural sensitivity, high expectations, developmental appropriateness, equity, and students with special needs?  How might a teacher best go about addressing all of these areas in his/her planning? Attach your response here or upload a word document using your last name as an identifier. 

Assignments – COMPLETE

Reflection Essay One:

Using Domain 1 – Planning, Preparation, and Assessment – write a one-page reflection on one personal strength (INTERPERSONAL SKILLS) you exceed in and a one-page reflection on one  personal area of growth (TIME MANAGEMENT) in which you need additional assistance. Pay close attention to, and focus on, specific components in the Domain for this assignment. Upload your response here or attach a word document using your last name as an identifier.

Assignment One:

Peruse the 3 attached lesson plan formats and choose one that you find most helpful, or chose one of your own (of course, there are many other formats on the internet). Write a summary of the merits and issues as compared to the other formats.  Please also discuss whether your chosen plan aligns easily with Backwards Design, and clearly show the standards, essential questions, activators, instruction, and summarizers. Upload your response here or attach a word document using your last name as an identifier. 

Attachments

SEATS_Lesson_Plan.docx

Unit_Plan_Blank.doc

Backward_Design_Template.docx