InTASC Standard: #4- Content Knowledge

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content (InTASC, 2013).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Description of Evidence:

In the Spring of 2020 in my EDUC 233 Literacy Development Through Children’s Literature course, I participated in a Book Fair. This was not a traditional book fair, there were not any books for sale. Instead it showcased multiple books and how they could be utilized in the classroom. I chose the book “The Cat in the Hat.” I created a board which included: the title, author’s name/illustrator, theme, conflict, genre, setting, plot, characters, and what age group the book would be appropriate for. I also included a lesson for students to participate in that went along with the book. I was able to showcase my board to community members, friends, and classmates during the Book Fair.

To go along with the rhyming theme of “The Cat in the Hat,” I learned how to create a learning experience for my future learners in creating a hands-on activity, The Cat in the Hat Word Family Game, to help them produce rhyming words. My lesson met the kindergarten Indiana Academic Standard K.RF. 3.1 identify and produce rhyming words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis of What I Learned:

The rhyming activity goes along with John Dewey’s hands-on learning approach because the students are learning by doing. I wholeheartedly believe students learn better and retain more knowledge through hands-on experiences. It also gives the learners the opportunity to take control of their own learning. The learners are actively participating in gaining their own knowledge. 

I also learned that I can use the concept of the Book Fair as a tool for students to inquire and investigate a book of their choice. This will allow them to create a meaningful learning experience. It is meaningful because they will be in charge of their own investigated learning.

 

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the InTASC Standard:

I am able to demonstrate my competence in standard 4 because I took my knowledge of developing literacy skills and the Indiana Academic standards to create a learning experience for the community members, friends, and classmates who attended the book fair.  In creating the lesson this would also help the learners to master the content of producing rhyming words that go along with the book "The Cat in the Hat." 

I can also take this learning opportunity to my future classroom and allow students to investigate their own book that would create a learning experience for their peers, families, and community members. Related to the Indiana Academic Standards, this activity could be expanded beyond literacy and covered by other content areas. By allowing students to use this as a learning experience, their learning becomes more meaningful and helps the learners master the content.