Standard 5: Application of Content
The InTASC Standard five involves the application of content where the teacher can understand how to connect concepts through various ways in order for students to critically think, create, and collaboratively problem solve. To demonstrate this standard, I will discuss the “Inform and Explain” lesson activity; peer review; and relating to real life examples.
Inform and Explain Lesson Activity: Attached is the lesson plan of an activity I taught during a practicum at Salem High School where we focused how writing can be used to inform an explain. This topic was connected to the broader subject of the six purposes of writing. Students were instructed to make a list of the “unofficial and unwritten rules” of an aspect of their lives. With this activity, students could connect their own personal experiences to the idea of informing and explain. I provided my own example of the “unofficial and unwritten rules of being a Hollin’s student” for students to reference as well as learn more about me and Hollins. This activity allows students have a meaningful learning experience as they are using their own experiences to better understand one of the reasons we write.
Peer Review: After students finished writing their rough drafts, they completed a peer review. The editing and revising process should be a collaborative one. With this activity, students were able to read each other’s work and provide feedback. After peer revision, students used the feedback from their peers to edit and revise their IRW papers. This peer revision not only provides students another set of eyes on their writing progress, but it also builds community as students are working together.
Relating to Real Life Situations and Examples: The paired text given in the integrated reading and writing (IRW) unit discussed the impacts of microplastic pollution on marine life. To help students better connect with the text, I talked about my own experiences with marine life by showing them the fish I have at home. Coincidentally, Earth Day occurred during the microplastic IRW unit. On Earth Day, I showed students pictures of my participation in Battle of the Bins at Hollins. By sharing my own experiences in relation with the IRW topic, students are getting exposed to real life situations and examples as well as building rapport with their student-teacher. This demonstrates application of content as I am giving students another way to connect with the content they are reading while also connecting with their instructor.
