Standard+2

** Teachers know how children grow. **  The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability learn and provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social, and personal development.
 * Standard 2 **

** Evidence 2: **

Legislative Branch Projects:



** Rationale 2: ** This project was developed for 8th grade social studies for students to learn about the legislative branch and demonstrate their knowledge. Students had a several choices for projects: Movie Maker, Power Point, Podcast, or website. Giving students choices allowed them to chose a presentation method that was best for them and allowed them the medium to demonstrate what they had learned in their own style. Some students worked with partners to develop Movie Maker videos. This project was completed with my students this fall; it was successful because students appreciated the choice, the flexibility, and the technology.

This lesson was important to my development as a teacher. It helped me develop a differentiated project and a way for students to learn material that allowed them to go at their own pace in their own direction with my guidance.

** KSD **

** 2.K.1 The teacher understands how learning occurs -- how students construct knowledge, acquire skills, and develop habits of mind – and how to use instructional strategies that promote student learning for a wide range of student abilities. **

The project choices offered fostered room for growth for a wide range of abilities and knowledge levels. Students could use their knowledge base and creativity to develop a project in their own style to present their knowledge gained.

** 2.S.2 The teacher stimulates student reflection on prior knowledge and links new ideas to already familiar, making connections to students’ experiences, providing opportunities for active engagement, manipulation, and testing of ideas and material, and encouraging students to assume responsibility for shaping their learning tasks. **

Through developing a project using one of the 4 means, students were actively engaged and learning in a hands-on way that required they be responsible for gathering and understanding information.

** 2.D.1 The teacher appreciates individual variation at each developmental level and shows respect for the diverse talents of all learners, and is committed to help them develop self-confidence and competence. **

The choices within the project allow for individual developmental needs to be met. Since students can work at their own pace and levels, they can feel successful.