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:

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.

 

RE 5100 Midterm and Final Exam

Context:

In RE 5100, Teaching Beginning Reading and Writing, I had to describe and defend the curriculum design of a literacy program that allows differentiated instruction for students at any stage of their literacy development.  The final exam discusses emergent and beginning readers and how I would effectively teach students in both of these stages of reading development.

Rationale:

These two artifacts demonstrate my understanding of the development of reading and writing in emergent and beginning readers.  They also demonstrate my knowledge of the components necessary to build a successful literacy program in my classroom.  Through this course I learned the importance of using instructional level texts and how to design my language arts block to maximize student growth.