Evidence of Student Learning Rationale

This artifact is an evidence of student learning which was based on the beginning of a math unit.

The unit consisted of the first three lessons in the fractions unit. When planning this unit, I had to

read over the curriculum, design a pre-assessment to assess students prior skills of fractions, use

the data to plan lessons which were differentiated to meet the needs of all the students, and then

design an assessment which reflected the students learning and understanding of fractions. This

artifact is an example of CEC standard 1 (learner development), CEC standard 2 (learning

environments), CEC standard 3 (curricular content knowledge), CEC standard 4

(assessment), and CEC standard 5 (instructional planning).

Through this assignment, I gained knowledge and skills in learner development and learning

environments (CEC standard 1 & 2). After giving the pre-assessments, I had to begin planning

my lessons for the unit. When planning my lessons, I had to first think about each of my students

and the different ways in which they learn. In my class I have students who are visual, hearing,

and kinesthetic learners. I have students who have 504s and IEPs. In order to make to sure each

of my students are successful, I have to differentiate my instruction to meet their needs. I also

have to think about the setup of my room and the tools and resources to have within the

classroom to help them. For the fractions unit plan, I tried to supply fraction bars, number lines,

counters, dry erase boards, anchor charts, and resource sheets in the room to assist them.

This artifact also demonstrates my understanding of curriculum, assessments, and

instructional planning (CEC standards 3, 4, & 5). In order to plan the lessons, I first had to

review over the 4th grade curriculum for fractions. For each lesson, I reviewed over the objectives

and the resources which were given through the county. With each lesson, there were different

types of teaching strategies and skills provided. I reviewed over the strategies which were given
and decided which would benefit my students. I incorporated different manipulatives into my

lessons which would help my students have more success. With the assessments, I had to review

over the objective in order to create a pre and post assessment. When planning the pre-

assessment, I reviewed over the standards from 3rd grade to see what students had learned in the

prior year. I also reviewed over the skills for the lesson and incorporated questions that reflected

those skills. Using the pre-assessment data, I was able to plan out my lessons to meet the needs

of the students and review over skills which they did not understand. I also created a post

assessment for each of the skills for students to demonstrate their understanding. Also,

throughout the lesson, I used informal observations to assess students understanding in order to

make instructional decisions and changes within my lessons to meet their needs.

My students this year and in following years will benefit from the instruction they receive due to

my understanding of the standards stated. With my knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and

planning, I can plan effective lessons which will meet the objective and be engaging and

interactive for my students. Also based on my knowledge of student learning and understanding,

I can plan differentiated lessons which meet the needs of each of my students. Using these skills

and standards, I can plan engaging, rigorous lessons for my students which meet the objective

and provide each of my students the chance to be successful.