Standard 3: Content and Curriculum Expertise

Teacher leaders have a deep knowledge of the subjects they teach and understanding of curriculum theory and development. They value collaboration and the interconnectedness of disciplines. They understand the importance of curriculum relevance in engaging students in content. Indicators are:

IRA Matrix

Context: This IRA Standards Matrix artifact was created as part of class RE 5525, Product of Learning, under the instruction of Dr. Woodrow Trathen.  The matrix documents how the standards for Reading Language Arts from the International Reading Association have been met through my education in Appalachian's Reading Education Master's Program.  I aligned each standard with artifacts from the master's program and accompanied a rationale statement as to how that standard was addressed by the artifact.

Rationale: This artifact shows I have gained a deep understanding of the reading and writing processes through the master's program in Reading Education at Appalachian State University and that I understand the importance of curriculum relevance in engaging students in content.  Furthermore, the matrix demonstrates my in-depth knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in reading, writing and spelling. It also demonstrates my ability to integrate the 21st century content and skills into educational practices.  The Matrix shows the relevant and rigorous curriculum I gained through Appalachian's Master's in Reading Education Program.  I have met the criteria to be deemed a highly qualified literacy teacher.

 

Multi-Genre Project

Context: This project was created in RE 5130, Teaching the Language Arts. As a requirement of this course I had to develop and implement an integrated unit that used photography as a means of technology. 

Rationale: This unit was titled, "All About Me" and was used to help students appreciate and understand what makes each of us different and special. As an assignment, my students had to choose something to photograph that showed what made them special. In doing this they had the opportunity to share something about them that we would not have ordinarily known. As a class we used the Internet to look at photographs and determine the qualities that they possessed that they wanted to create in their own photographs. We learned how to use digital cameras to take the required photographs. Many of my students had never used a camera before, and it was a process that I enjoyed teaching to them. The students then wrote poetry and friendly letters to describe their photographs and what it is that makes them unique.