INTASC Portfolio

Standard #1: Learner Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

For the first standard I will include differentiated instruction throughout all my lessons in order to reach all students skill levels and interest. Below I have attached a lesson plan that demonstrates differentiated instruction in my lessons.
Water Cycle Lesson Plan

Standard #2: 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.

Students will engage in different team building exercises that will increase the classroom environments atmosphere. Students will have chances throughout these to share their backgrounds and cultures so each learner can understand and connect with one another. Some examples could be fact sheet, 2 truths and a lie, goals for the year, who is your hero?, and so on. These will be used throughout the year to continuously build the classroom environment.

Standard #3: 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.

I would have students fill out a survey of their likes and dislikes, preferred name, and anything else they would like me to know about them before they come into my classroom. I would read these over and talk with each student throughout the year to get to know them even more. A good teacher-student relationship makes students more willing to learn, be engaged and active in your classroom, and want to do better. I would hope all the relationship I create with my students will push them to be the best them they can be.

Standard #4: Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

I will be sure to keep up with current articles and teaching methods for my classroom. I will also keep an eye on the state standards to make sure what I am teaching them is meaningful and masters the concept. I will also reflect on my lesson and unit plans to ensure my next lesson and my next years class will be even better. Samples of questions I will ask myself are on page 5 of my lesson plan which you can find below:
Clouds and Precipitation Lesson Plan

Standard #5: Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

I will make sure to use things that will please the kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learner. Although some may not be used at all times, I will make sure that there is a fair rotation between them. I will also be sure to include the other variations on types of learning such as musical, artistic, etc. in order to reach everyone in my classroom.

Standard #6: Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.

I will use differentiated instruction with in my classroom. This will allow for students to be able to pick a way they feel most comfortable doing the project/paper/assessment and help they succeed. I will also push my students to their fullest potential and encourage them to think or new ways to do their work with differentiated instruction.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

I plan to bring in professionals of different areas to better educate my students. I also will use different teaching techniques, pedagogy, and projects to help learners experience many different types of learning. In the sample below I show how I use different pedagogy and differentiated instruction with different learning styles being addressed.
Unit Plan

Standard #8: Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

I will use differentiated instruction in every lesson to try and reach all of my students needs and wants. I will give them lenience for projects as in how they want to do the project. I will also guide students to choose different kinds of projects and not just a presentation every time in order to help them grow as learners.

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

I will continue on to my masters as I teach to keep up with current data. I will also keep up with different education magazines and articles to keep in mind different practices and learning going on. I will reflect on my own teaching and improve it to up to date styles in order to give my students the best education I can give them.

Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

I will be sure to teach not only my students but beyond the classroom walls. This will allow me to make relationships and connect with other teachers, families, business, and the community as a whole. I will help and volunteer at events and also attend other events. I will try to make it to different sports games to cheer on my students and also support local businesses, possibly bringing them into my classroom to give a presentation on what they do.