What is component 1b? Component 1b focuses on teachers teaching content to the students. Teachers must know not only their subject and its related pedagogy but also the student they teach. Teachers need to appreciate research in cognitive psychology – students learn through engagement with the content. Each student learns in their own individual ways in different cognitive, social and emotional stages. Students may come with gaps or misconceptions and teachers need to uncover these and plan appropriate learning activities and lessons. In addition, students have lives beyond school including athletic and musical pursuits, activities in neighborhoods, and family and cultural traditions. Some students first language may not English, as well as some with other special needs. These students must be considered when planning lessons and identifying resources that will ensure their understanding.
Why is it needed? This component is needed to ensure every student have the appropriate learning tools. Teachers need to know that students have a family life and to not give them so much homework that they can’t do family activities, sport or music activities. Teachers need to engage the student in the content they are teaching. This could be incorporating component 2e by organizing the classroom with flexible seating for a discussion on the topic to further the understanding. Using the theorist Bronfenbrenner – knowing all the parts of the learning including situations outside the classroom – will allow teachers to engage more with their students to get to know them better. Knowing the student inside and out will allow teachers to know what the student needs the most whether that is math or English help or a student who is struggling at home. Teachers should understand their students to engage them in learning and help their personal needs.
What are the elements? Knowledge of child and adolescent development. Children learn differently at different stages of their lives. Teachers should know what stage each student is in and teach them in their stage. Knowledge of the learning process. Learning requires active intellectual engagement. Teachers need to make sure the students are engaged and understand the content they are teaching. Knowledge of students’ skills, knowledge, and language proficiency. Student’s lives beyond school influence their learning. Many students will have after school activities. Teachers need to know they have lives outside of school and know their family relationships will affect their education. Knowledge of students’ interest and cultural heritage. Student’s backgrounds influence their learning. In a classroom, teachers may have several students with different cultures and backgrounds. Teachers should not let other students treat them like outcasts and if they do not speak English as their first language, accommodate lesson so they will be able to learn. Knowledge of students’ special needs. Children do not all develop in the same fashions. Every student is different and may have special needs. Schools and teacher should recognize these needs and give them the resources to succeed and have an impactful learning experience.
Artifacts to be used in the classroom! When designing lesson plans, teachers need to be aware of the stages their students are in and make work challenging but possible. Teachers need to know information about their students so they can provide the right resources and materials to fit their needs. To incorporate the different cultures and heritages in the classrooms, teachers to reach out to parents to come in and talk about their cultures. In the older grade levels, teachers could have a cultural heritage week and have students research their own cultures and share in the class what they found out. Teachers need to provide special needs students with resources and more one on one teaching to help them learn. If students have an IEP make sure the plan is working and if you think something is not going well contact the team leader. Teach outside the classroom get to know your students! Attend they soccer games, band concerts.
Sources: The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument. (2017). Static.pdesas.org. Retrieved 5 October 2017, from http://static.pdesas.org/content/documents/danielson_rubric_32.pdf Images labeled for reuse