Impact Study Rationale

Context:  I created this Impact Study as part of my student teaching requirements while teaching in Paige Fairchild's 6th grade classroom at Westwood Elementary School during the Fall 2008 semester.  I was asked to develop age-appropriate lessons, teach them, and then reflect upon them as well as my time in the classroom.

Impact:  I feel that this project has helped me to learn so much about myself as well as my students and how to help in ways that they may struggle.  I have seen myself develop as a teacher through developing and teaching my lessons, reflecting on how these lessons went and how to fix them, and also my classroom management.  Student teaching has been a very beneficial experience for me and it has taught me more about teaching than anything ever has before and because of it, I feel confident that I am capable of having my own classroom.

Alignment:

Standard 7 Indicator 1:  I have met this standard by developing lessons that align with the NC SCOS, LEA standards and national standards in all subject areas.

Standard 7 Indicator 2:  I have met this standard by using an interdisciplinary approach to my teaching by integrating all subjects together to help emphasize concepts to my students and using technology to help to enhance their learning.

Standard 7 Indicator 3:  I have met this standard by trying to develop lessons that are interesting to the students interests and playing off of their prior knowledge because I know it is much easier for students to learn something new whenever they can connect that concept with something they already know about.

Standard 7 Indicator 4:  I have met this standard by using many different teaching and communication methods to teach my students.

Standard 7 Indicator 5:  I have met this standard by helping my students develop multiple strategies to help them with basic concepts, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.

Standard 7 Indicator 6:  I have met this standard by modifying my instruction and assessments to meet each child's individual needs.

Standard 7 Indicator 7:  I have met this standard by developing various types of assessment strategies to help as part of my instruction for each child, partners, or group.