Week 6 Reflection

This week we learned about Alignment & Lesson Planning, as well as focusing on the assessment part of lesson planning. 

Alignment in a lesson plan ensures that every component the teacher is using in their lesson plan, is working together to reach student success. When using alignment in a lesson plan, it is important to remember the standards, objectives, instructional activities, and assessment. They each carry their own separate, essential importance in making the lesson plan. There are three steps to follow when doing this:

⤏ Step 1: Start with the Standard - The curriculum can vary and is meant to help you teach the standard.

⤏ Step 2: Create an Objective - Modify the objective to meet the students' needs.

⤏ Step 3: Create the Assessment - Use the objective created as the assessment.

If each of these components are not aligned, the main purpose of the lesson plan will not be clear enough for the students to attain, causing the outcome of the lesson plan to not be beneficial.

We covered the assessment portion of lesson planning, and had the opportunity to watch videos of teachers using their assessments in action. Watching these being used in person allows me to get a better understanding of the material. We focused more on the different types of assessments that were used and how they would be used in a classroom. For example there was:

⤏ Observation

⤏ Observation: Anecdotal Record

⤏ 2nd & 3rd Grade Exit Tickets

⤏ Checklist

⤏ Rating Scale

⤏ Analytic Rubric

We had covered these types of assessments in prior classes, but we had the chance to see them in action in a different form. There are many different ways to apply these types of assessments, so I think it is important to have the chance to see as many different types as we can.

In class, we also discussed with a partner our lesson plans for another class, and had the chance to give and receive feedback that we can use to better our lesson plans. Whether it be positive feedback, or ways we can improve our lesson plan. I think it is important to reflect back on the work we did and see in what ways we can change our work for the better.