Description

Candidates complete Clinical Experiences (minimum of 50 hours) in a PK-5 classroom for 10 weeks over the length of the entire quarter. Candidates are required to instruct a minumum of 20 lessons.

Measurable Objectives

The teacher candidate will develop foundation skills for teaching mathematics. Primary attention will be given to developing teacher candidate skills in:

1. Planning and implementing developmentally appropriate mathematics teaching activities;

2. Planning and implementing lessons incorporating varied types of instruction (i.e. problem solving, explicit, direct, systematic, construction of meaning, open-ended, spontaneous, authentic), materials (i.e. hands-on, pencil and paper, literature, textbooks, technology), and structural settings (i.e. whole group, small group, one-on-one instruction, teacher-directed, center settings, social settings with adults and peers);

 3. Demonstrating classroom management practices for culturally diverse students, mild/moderate exceptional students, students with either physical or educational disabilities, and gifted and talented students; and

 4. Administering formal and informal assessment techniques used to determine student's strengths and weaknesses in mathematics. E. Developing proficiency in using technology to teach mathematics.

Assessment

1. Lesson Plans (30%)  (Course Signature Piece) Develop a field experiences journal that contains a minimum of twenty lesson plans designed and implemented by the teacher candidate, reflections about the teaching experiences, and representative student artifacts.

2.  Daily Observation Log, School Improvement/School and District Accountability System  (10%)     

a. You should keep a record of each visit to your designated field placement. This record should be kept electronically (word-processed) for each day you are in the classroom. 
                  
b. Students are required to view the school improvement action plan for the school placements for field experiences. They are to write a reflective journal entry about key points that they learned about their placement school and district. Students are required to attend a school improvement activity at their placement school and document the events within field experience hours required for the class. Students are also required to log onto the Louisiana Department of Education website and view the School Report Card for the school they assigned to for field experiences and the district composite report (district accountability results section). They are to write a reflective journal entry about key points that they learned about their placement school (5%).  

3. Weekly Projects/Practicum Meeting Attendance (10%) The weekly projects are assigned during the practicum meetings and due dates are given in class. See the course calendar page for dates of practicum meetings on-campus.  

4. Case Study (10%) Choose a struggling math student for your case study at the beginning of the practicum. Identify the student’s strengths and weaknesses in math.  Note on a reflection sheet the student’s behavior in at least 10 of your 20 lessons.  

5. Evaluations (30%) You are required to have a midterm and final evaluation completed by your cooperating teacher, using the Practicum Evaluation Form found under Course Documents on Blackboard. Additionally, at least one formal evaluation must be completed by the instructor. Other informal observation notes from the instructor or cooperating teacher may be included.  

6. Mid-Term and Final (5% each for a total of 10%)