Daltrey Abney PPA+ Indicators

A2. Draws on results of formal and informal assessments as well as knowledge of human development to identify teaching strategies and learning activities appropriate to the specific discipline, age, level of English language proficiency, and range of cognitive levels being taught. In all my pre-practicums, particularly my last one, I logged the results of not only formal but informal assessments as well. For example for a social studies lesson I logged participation and worksheet answers. I analyzed the results of these assessments and was able to put the students into four different general categories that allowed me to make more informed discussions about my teaching in the future. It allowed me to know what students needed more attention in my next lesson, and what kind of attention they needed. B1. Communicates high standards and expectations when beginning the lesson. a) Makes learning objectives clear to students. b) Communicates clearly in writing, speaking, and through the use of appropriately designed visual and contextual aids. c) Uses engaging ways to begin a new unit of study or lesson. d) Builds on students prior knowledge and experience. Over time I have learned how important it is to start all my lessons by listing my expectations, even if the students know them already. In my last pre-practicum I would ask the students what they thought my expectations were. I would clearly repeat responses to the question that held true. I also had the expectations written on the SmartBoard for all the students to see before I began the lesson. I would also communicate to the students what prior knowledge they should keep in mind during a lesson before I start the lesson so that everyone is on the same page and knows that the concept being taught is an extension of something else. C3. Maintains appropriate standards of behavior, mutual respect, and safety. In my first pre-practicum I worked with a student who had a lot of trouble respecting the learning environment of those around him as well as his teacher. Throughout the semester I would have conversations with him about what it meant to respect others and why even though he often disagreed with his teacher, he still needed to respect her if he wanted to be treated with respect as well. Over time he showed great improvement in this area.

D1. Encourages all students to believe that effort is a key to achievement. Last semester I did a review lesson with my students involving a jeopardy game. Although I explained otherwise, many of the students believed that their participation was only necessary when it was their turn to answer the question. At the end of the game in class team A was winning by a large margin. However, because the corresponding game worksheet that required extra effort was a part of the final tally as well, team B ended up winning the game in the end. The students realized that effort was the true key to achievement in the review game. E4. Collaborates with colleagues to improve instruction, assessment, and student achievement. During my last pre-practicum I worked closely with my CT, supervisor, professor and fellow student teachers to brainstorm ideas for a math lesson. Not only did I get instructional ideas from them, but I also got ideas about how to improve the lesson and how the lesson reflected student achievement. F2. Provides formative and summative opportunities for pupils to connect their learning to experiences or situations significant in their lives. During my second pre-practicum I worked with a student on reading comprehension strategies. In order to make her vocabulary words mean something to her I had her use all the words in the context of her own life, with real examples of either how she personally would use the word or use a specific real life example of the word in a sentence. G1. Draws on ones own prior academic and personal knowledge, coursework, and experience to make instructional choices. As a history major, I used my personal knowledge and coursework to teach a lesson on Indus River Valley civilizations last semester.