There are six components to Domain 1 - Planing and Preparation and the component which I am most comfortable with is "E" ~Designing Coherent Instruction. I believe that I am capable of translating the learning outcomes to the students in a way which they can best understand. I know what type of learner each student is and the can plan accordingly to get the desired results. I like to quesiton my students and have them explain to me what they know about a problem or equation before they begin to solve the problem. The question helps the students really think about what they know and have learned and how this knowledge can get them to the next level. However, the hardest part of this component is the depth of knowledge for the content. I feel that the hardest part of being a special education teacher is the need to have knowledge in all content areas.
The one thing I really enjoy at Grant County is there are 7 special education teachers, which are equally separated in 2 for 9th, 10th, and 11th grades (there is only 1 - 12th grade teacher). Each pairing divides the content; for example- I teach only Geometry and Math Development in a resource setting and collaborate in Geometry classes. Math Development is used as a prep class for KCCT, with flashbacks, reteaching, and reviewing, making sure students are firm on specific concepts. I do collaborate in one Science class, which I am weak so I do alot of common planning with that teacher. My partner, Ms. Howard, teaches English III, collaborates in English III and collaborates in one U. S. History class. This same example can be viewed in the Freshman and Sophomore academies. Once students get to 12th grade Ms. Southworth teaches and collaborates English IV, currently we are unsure how next year will development (Next year all 12th graders will need 4 math credits to graduate).
Having the content classes broken down in academies and teacher separate give the opportunity to develop a more indepth knowledge of a specific content area.
It is "component E" that ties all the instruction together. According to Danielson, this component is where, "teachers' knowledge of the content, knowledge of students, clarity of instructional outsomes and knoweldge of resources come together" (p. 57).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI think ti si wonderful how you are broken down and divided into such conent specific groups. That really helps you to focus on certain content. I do math and english special ed. resource room for all the high school students, and I love it but it can be very overwelhming to prepare for all of those content areas. I work with wonderful regular education teachers that are very helpfula nd help me to ensure that I am teaching the specific content. It is very funny to see how both of us being special education teachers but we do such different things and teach in such different ways. It is nice to see that there are so many available roads to take in special education. Take care adn enjoy the snow! :)
Opps.... sorry for all the spelling mistakes, I was going fast and busy at the time. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is a wonderful way to organize your program. I think it is important- especially at your level that you help your students think deeply about the content and collaborate accordingly. Questioning is such a wonderful instructional technique.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how Heidi has a different configuration- thanks for sharing.
Chandra,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in the fact that knowing HOW your students learn is invaluable. Helping our students learn depth of knowledge is somethng we all face. Different learners will learn things differently, at a different pace, and to a different depth. It sounds as if you are really lucky to have such excellent resources in which to collaborate.
I look forward to working with you in our smaller groups. I chose domain 1 also.
Your daughter looked beautiful. I hope all went well for her at her first dance!
Laura Coleman
I have a question for those Special Education teachers out there...
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts on resource classes being on the same page as regular ed class? Basically the same concept being taught at exactly the same time. I find it very difficult because the continuous reteaching and breaking th concept down. Many times the regular Geometry teacher will teach Surface Area and Volume formulas for cubes and circles as compared to me teaching the Surface Area and Volume 1 day and the Circle the other day.
Hi Chandra!
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how other schools teach their content. I find it especially helpful to know how students are learning in high school, because I'm preparing them for high school.
I think it's great the students are concentrating on the materials for the core content classes and having time to review on missing concepts. In my collaborative class, we are constantly behind other math classes because of the missing foundations.
I like the GCHS system because it is supportive of the student's knowledge. The student has the opportunity to learn the concepts previously taught and improve. It's the best of both worlds.
Kim, Watch the boards, there may be a position opening in Sp.Ed. and not mine.
ReplyDelete