One of the most important elements of student learning is planning and implementing relevant, coherent, and engaging units of study whether it is in one subject or integrated subjects. I have developed a passion for curriculum design and implementation through my Master of Science degree in Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction. On a daily basis, I use the skills I have learned to improve my teaching.

 

Planning: In my daily, weekly, and yearly plans, I design lessons and activities that make my students’ learning meaningful to them. I use Understanding by Design to plan units of study with my grade level team and then we organize the information into Rubicon Atlas. We also create a yearly scope and sequence on Google Sheets that allows us to stay in sync throughout the year. My grade level team meets twice a week to plan lessons, discuss experiences, and review student data. This helps to keep us aligned.

 

Assessments: I use a variety of assessments that provide me with a clear picture of where each of my student’s are at in their learning progression. Formative data such as observations, conference notes, and daily checks provide me with ongoing feedback on their strengths and weaknesses. Common assessments that my grade level designed provide summative data on what a student has learned by the end of a unit. The data collected can be from a variety of sources such as journal entries, classwork, projects, interviews, and presentations.

 

Feedback: Immediate feedback is very important for young learners. When I conference with individuals or small groups, I can provide on-the-spot feedback. This gives them a chance to try the skill again while using the new feedback given. Daily checks, unit quizzes, and tests are not always conducive to immediate feedback. However, I check their work in a timely manner and return it to them for their review.