PSIII Professional Growth Plan

Name: Abbey Parsonage

Teacher Mentor: Gina Dudas
School: G.S. Lakie Middle School
School Administrator: Craig DeJong
Year: 2015
Faculty Advisor: Donna McKay
Teaching Term: January-April
Profession
To maintain and expand my differentiation in the classroom in
al Goal
regards to both instruction and assessment.
KSA #5: all students can learn, albeit at different rates and in different ways. They know
how (including when and how to engage others) to identify students different learning
styles and ways students learn. They understand the need to respond to differences by
creating multiple paths to learning for individuals and groups of students, including
students with special learning needs;
Rationale
To ensure a productive learning environment where all students can learn, achieve,
(Within the
and succeed
context of a
I have yet to concretely create a unit that specializes on different assessment for
school and
different student needs. In my previous practica, I just adapted the same assessment
intern
and required more or less detail depending on student abilities.
environmen
By using a layered curriculum approach, I plan to create levels of advancement which
t)
will culminate with a final performance task. Each level will meet all intended
outcomes, but some students will reach the highest level while others will be required
to complete the minimum. The competitive nature of the class will motivate students
to reach the highest level possible.
To gain knowledge of other teachers best differentiation practices and examine how
they fit within my own teaching style and teaching philosophy
Strategies
Consult with other teachers in their approach to a layered curriculum.
Establish rules, routines, and expectations with students at the beginning and
encourage students to work their hardest to reach the highest possible level of
achievement.
Get to know the students in order to assess student needs and their individual

Resources

Indicators
of
Progress

Timeline

Reflection

abilities. This will help me to assess what to expect from each student.
Testing this approach classroom management strategies in order to determine
effectiveness
Monitoring behaviors and attitudes through observational notes addressing issues
when they need to be addressed.
Communicate with students about what I expect them to accomplish. This may come
in the form of a individual conference.
http://www.help4teachers.com/
http://www.oops.bizland.com/layeredcurriculum.pdf
http://toolsfordifferentiation.pbworks.com/w/page/22360100/Layered%20Curriculum
Students are able to work at their own pace and are motivated to work and advance
to the next level.
Students have a clear understanding of acceptable and unacceptable expectations in
the classroom and recognize their own level while trying to achieve the highest
possible level of achievement.
The learning environment is as productive as possible as each student is working at a
level that is challenging to them.
I will feel more comfortable differentiating lessons and working with different groups
of students to ensure that they are all learning, albeit at different paces. I will be
more aware of student needs and the need for differentiation and behavioral and
attitude issues and address them in a timely manner observational notes.
Establishing and enforcing rules, routines, and expectations of the performance task
mid-January ongoing
Completed performance task for local government mid February
Observation notes ongoing throughout term.

Profession
al Goal

Rationale
(Within the
context of a
school and
intern
environmen
t)
Strategies

To integrate appropriate (and never before used) technology into

lesson activities and assessments in order to supplement and
increase student engagement, learning, and achievement
KSA #10: The functions of traditional and electronic teaching/learning technologies. They
know how to use and how to engage students in using these technologies to present and
deliver content, communicate effectively with others, find and secure information,
research, word process, manage information, and keep records;
Professional goal of improving student achievement through 21st century learning
strategies (assessment for learning, differentiation, and engagement)
Enhancing assessment tools so success is more accessible to more students
To increase student engagement and participation in learning
Technology integration has been an area of focus for me throughout my practica. I
have used it a lot in lesson activities to increase student engagement, but not so
much to enhance assessment.
Attend technology integration PD sessions (both on-site and off-site)
Integrate ideas brainstormed or discussed during tech time sessions
Collaborate with other teachers and information technology specialists
Use Audacity and Read-Write-Gold (RWG) for students who need vocalized
assessments
Develop or find activities for Smartboard that are interactive and will engage
students
Use of wikis and webquests for group projects

Resources

Indicators
of
Progress

Timeline

QR code scavenger hunts to allow students the opportunity to use their own devices
Using computer carts to facilitate research and inquiry
Smartboard Website
PD Sessions
Consult with Information Technology Specialists
Developed units that integrate appropriate technology smart units, lesson activities
and assessments that utilize technology Smartboard, Audacity, Wikis, Webquests,
iphones,
Assessments supplemented by technology vocalized tests and quizzes via Audacity
Increase in student engagement and achievement as a result of technology
integration observation notes, daily lesson evaluations, student evaluations
Better understanding of different technologies their functions and purpose and
how they fit into student learning, engagement, and achievement attending PD
sessions and collaborative sessions
Students become responsible for their own learning by checking the homework site
when they are absent
Differentiated lesson activities and assessments that integrate technology ongoing
PD Sessions and collaborative meetings ongoing throughout practicum.
Use of homework site start January ongoing

Reflection
s

Professio
nal Goal

To develop and maintain communication skills and build relationships

with other teaching professionals.
KSA #14: the importance of contributing, independently and collegially, to the quality of
their school. They know the strategies whereby they can, independently and collegially,
enhance and maintain the quality of their schools to the benefit of students, parents,
community and colleagues;

Rationale
(Within the
context of
a school
and intern
environme
nt)

Strategie
s

Resource
s
Indicator
s of
Progress

Allows students to demonstrate learning objectives through performance -based and

skill-based tasks in a real world context meaningful assessment that translates to
real world skills
I have utilized a lot of standardized methods of assessment in my previous practica. I
would like to explore the possibilities of authentic assessment in students achieving
learning objectives
To increase student engagement and participation in performance-based and skillbased tasks
Will contribute tools to collaborative assessment meetings possibly pod meetings
(common assessment)
Will work in conjunction with technology integration goal
Interdisciplinary designed units grade level collaboration
Consult with other teachers on assessment practices
Inquiry-based learning activities
PD sessions on differentiation
Assessing learning needs of students strengths and weaknesses
Surveying student interests
Using technology as a means towards authentic and differentiated assessment
Differentiated lesson activities that hone in on the different learning styles
Making A Difference Alberta Learning Differentiation Resource Book
Students are aware of the purpose of the learning topic at hand and how it may
translate into real life Big ideas on the board and I can statements
Students are engaging in learning activities that mimic real life situations
Lesson activities and assessments reflect a variety of learning styles and strengths
some may allow students to choose assessments that they excel in
Increase in student learning and engagement student feedback and achievement

Timeline

Reflectio
n

Formative and summative differentiated and authentic assessments unit resources

Big ideas and I can statements September ongoing
Differentiated lessons and assessments September ongoing
PD Sessions Vulcan Days & On-site PD
Assessing learning needs of students and developing IPPs - September/October
Interdisciplinary units/lessons Pod meetings