Artifact Reflection: Standard VII Instructional Planning Title: Lesson Plan on Rene Descartes and Nicolaus Copernicus for

a Scientific Revolution
Unit

Date:

April 2013

Description:
The following artifact is a lesson I taught on Rene Descartes and Nicolas Copernicus. I used this lesson when creating a unit on the Scientific Revolution. I used this lesson in my teaching reading in the content area class that I took at UW-Platteville. Our semester project for the class was to create a unit based on our topic of choice. The group that I worked with in creating this unit chose the Scientific Revolution. My portion of the unit was on Rene Descartes and Nicolaus Copernicus. I used this lesson to teach my peers about two of the influential thinkers during this time period. The lesson was created for a 9th or 10th grade class with a 45 minute class period.

Alignment:
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment: This lesson plan best aligns with Standard 7: Instructional Planning. The teacher organizes and plans systematic instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, the community, and curriculum goals. The artifact aligns with Standard 7 because I created my lesson based upon knowledge of subject matter, pupils, and curriculum goals. I used a variety of instruction as well as assessment throughout my lesson to make sure that no particular learning style was left out. I also incorporated group work into my lesson so that students could collaborate and brainstorm different ideas with one another. I did this because I believe that when students are helping one another, it gives them not only a sense of pride in their work, but an incentive to work hard.

This experience, and the class, helped me to become a better teacher candidate. Both the experience and the class gave me the tools to create proficient lessons that apply to the Common Core State Standards. In addition, I also learned how to be responsive and flexible in my lessons; characteristics which I believe make for great teachers.

UW-Platteville Knowledge, Skills, and Disposition Alignment

This artifact best aligns with KSD I.C: Selecting Instructional Goals, which states The candidate can establish clearly written goals that reflect the curriculum framework and standards, and can articulate high expectations that permit viable methods of assessment and account for varying learning needs and styles, and prior knowledge. I feel that KSD I.C fits best with this artifact because I wrote this lesson keeping in mind that I needed to meet all of the prior criteria. Through this experience, I have become much better in writing lessons and in incorporating levels of Blooms Taxonomy into each lesson I prepare. Secondary Alignment: KSD I.D: Demonstrating Knowledge of Resources KSD III. C: Engages Students in Learning KSD III. E: Demonstrates Flexibility and Responsiveness

Reflection:
What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience Through the experience of collaborating on a unit lesson plan and the experience of the class I took in which I wrote this lesson, I learned how important it is create lessons that set clear goals and objectives as well as writing lessons that accommodate to a variety of learning styles and needs. I learned that the best way to get students involved in their education is through hands-on learning. The more involved students are in the lesson/unit, the more they are willing to learn and participate. I also learned how important it is to be mindful of each individual student when writing a lesson. A lesson should be written so that it is at a level in which students feel challenged, but not overwhelmed. What I learned about myself as a prospective educator as a result of this experience I learned that the more resources used in writing a lesson, the better. Although it is likely that I will not use every resource that I find, it is still helpful to give myself a bountiful amount of resources in which I can choose from when writing a lesson. I also learned that, to be an effective teacher, I have to be flexible and open to new ideas when creating lessons.