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Professional Semester 1 Goals Statement

Name: Cayley van Aken
School: Unknown
Practicum Dates: 3 November 9 December 2014
Teacher Associate: Unknown
University Consultant: Unknown

1. Goal: To become more confident in the G.L.O.s and S.L.O.s in my grade level and to
incorporate multiple S.L.O.s into each lesson.

Rationale:
G.L.O.s and S.L.O.s are naturally essential to teaching, without them lessons are activity-
based rather than curriculum-based. By designing my lessons with the desired end-results
in mind, they will follow the curriculum and therefore be useful lessons. Additionally, this
goal is in line with the Interim KSAs #3 and #6, which state that I should understand the
purposes of the programs of study and the purposes of short, medium, and long range
planning. Both of these KSAs are essential for student teachers such as myself to be aware
of and follow.

Strategies:
I will use the Understanding by Design approach to ensure that the appropriate
learning outcomes are expressed in each lesson plan by beginning with the desired
end-results in mind
I will reflect on my activity-selecting process to ensure that I am modifying any
borrowed ideas from my T.A. or Internet sources to ensure that they meet the
learning outcomes that I have identified as essential to each lesson
I will create a chart to monitor the learning outcomes I want to meet in a certain
time frame, if I am creating a series of lessons, and I will check each outcome off as I
create a lesson that addresses it
I will incorporate formative assessment based on the S.L.O.s into my lessons to
inform future lessons

Indicators of success:
I will reflect on my lessons after I make them and again after I teach them to ensure
that learning outcomes were addressed and met
My learning outcome chart will have all outcomes met in more than one lesson to
ensure that students have multiple opportunities to engage with the material
Student understanding gathered during formative assessments of G.L.O.s and S.L.O.s
will increase
Feedback from my T.A. that my lessons either meet or exceed their expectations of
learning outcomes

Reflection: To be completed after practicum

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2. Goal: To cater to the needs of individual students by using at least 3 teaching
strategies in each lesson


Rationale:
KSA #5 says that all students can learn, albeit at different rates and in different ways. By
incorporating a variety of teaching strategies into my lessons, I hope to create an
environment where all students can learn. This will be a great first step into understanding
what kinds of strategies work for what types of learners and will allow me to learn about
differentiation for students to better understand activities and get the most out of lessons.
KSA #9 says that teachers should know a broad range of instructional strategies and that
they should understand which strategies are appropriate to help different students
achieve different outcomes. Additionally adding teaching strategies into my lessons will
keep students more engaged in the variety of activities than they would be with a less
dynamic, single-strategy lesson.

Strategies:
I will create a list or chart of the teaching strategies that I learn in my classes and
reference it when making lesson plans
I will do research on additional teaching strategies and incorporate them into my
chart of strategies
I will attempt to use every strategy on my chart and when I have used it I will reflect
upon its effectiveness in order to better use it in the future

Indicators of Success:
A chart of teaching strategies that have all been used and reflected upon
Dynamic, engaging lesson plans with teaching strategies incorporated
A mental repertoire of strategies that I am easily able to apply to situations
Feedback from my T.A., U.C., and personal reflection

Reflection: To be completed after practicum

3. Goal: To become comfortable with, and aware of, the various technologies
available to my class and to use the SMART Board at least once per day.

Rationale:
Our society and culture are changing rapidly with the introduction and advancement of
new technologies. These technologies are extremely important tools that can positively
influence a learning environment if they are used correctly. By becoming comfortable with
the technologies available in the classroom I can incorporate them into my lessons in a
natural and seamless way that will not be distracting. Additionally, Interim KSA #10 says
that teachers should understand the functions of traditional and electronic teaching /
learning technologies and this goal will help me to achieve that KSA.

Strategies:
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I will make use of technologies whenever possible in order to become comfortable
with them
I will ask questions to my T.A. and will research the technologies online
I will use the knowledge I have learnt in my Communications, Technology, and
Education class to integrate technology effectively into the classroom
I will constantly look for opportunities to incorporate technology into my lessons
I will create a list of potential uses of technology and incorporate them into my
lessons if they help to meet my learning objectives

Indicators of Success:
An overall comfort with technology such as the SMART Board
Lesson plans that seamlessly include the SMART Board or other technologies
without compromising the learning objectives
Use of the SMART Board daily
Feedback from my T.A. and U.C. as well as reflection

Reflection: To be completed after practicum

4. Goal: To become more confident in my public speaking skills in order to better
express myself to my class, peers, Teacher Associate, and University Consultant.

Rationale:
If I am nervous in front of my class or peers I am more likely to compromise my lessons by
speaking too quickly, fidgeting with objects, not looking at my audience, or forgetting
information. Any of these behaviors would either distract the class or prevent them from
learning some information. Therefore, it is crucial that I gain confidence in my teacher
status and in myself in order to effectively convey information to my students. Identifying
this area of self-growth is also in line with KSAs #15 and #16, as improving myself
demonstrates career-long learning and my desire to better myself for the purpose of more
effective teaching.

Strategies:
I will continue to practice in front of my peers at the university as we present
lessons in class
I will use the strategies taught in the teacher as a performer workshop such as
counting to ten in my head, standing straight without fidgeting, and making eye-
contact with my class
I will practice any parts of my lessons that I am nervous about in front of my friends
in order to ensure that all instructions and transitions are clear and concise

Indicators of Success:
Overall comfort in front of a class with less anxiety
Noticeably slow and purposefully articulate speech without fidgeting or looking
away from the class
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Comfort with my material without having to reference a lesson plan or notes too
often
Feedback from my peers, T.A., U.C. and personal reflection about my own growth

Reflection: To be completed after practicum

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Timeline of Activities to be Completed:
Week of: Activities to be completed:
September 22
October 27
University courses:
1. Continue to educate myself about the G.L.O.s and S.L.O.s in all
subjects
2. Continue to learn teaching strategies
3. Continue to engage in my Communication and Technology class
and create presentations designed with SMART Boards and
technology integration in mind
4. Continue to present in front of peers. Attempt to become
increasingly involved in class and group discussions.
November 3 Practicum Week 1:
1. Decide which classes I will be responsible for teaching
throughout the semester and create UbD lesson plans for them
2. Create teaching strategy chart and actively incorporate them into
my lessons
3. Consult T.A. regarding what technologies are available to the
students and what sort of restrictions are on them, such as time.
Observe T.A.s use of technology. Actively incorporate technology
into lesson plans.
4. Use strategies taught in various classes and learnt through
practice to ensure that my speaking is clear and concise
November 10 Practicum Week 2:
1. Continue creating lesson plans using UbD, ensuring that proper
G.L.O.s and S.L.O.s are covered. Meet with T.A. regularly
2. Continue consulting and improving my teaching strategy chart in
creating lessons
3. Continue to incorporate technology into lessons. Research
unique uses of technology available
4. Continue to use strategies and improve speaking
November 17
December 1
Practicum Week 3 - 5:
All goals ongoing. Continue to meet with T.A. and U.C. as often as
possible
December 8 Last Practicum Week: consult with T.A. and U.C.
1. Reflect on lesson plans and student progress.
2. Reflect on teaching strategy chart and uses of strategies. All
strategies to have been used at least once
3. Technologies have continued to play a purposeful role in lessons
4. Reflect on personal growth as a public speaker