Standard+4

 Home / Standard 1 / Standard 2 / Standard 3 / Standard 4 / Standard 5 / Standard 6 / Standard 7 / Standard 8 /   Standard 9 / Standard 10

**Standard 4** **Teachers know how to teach.** The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies, including the use of technology, to encourage children's development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. Evidence 1: PBL Project

Rationale 1: This lesson was designed in EDT 674 in conjunction with my low organized games unit. The purpose of the project based learning project was to have the students develop and work on their problem solving skills, which have been down in our middle school. With knowing that our students needed more work in that area, I tried to develop a unit that they would have to work together and problem solve a way for them to come to a common goal. Although I have not used this in my classroom yet, this project was great for my personal development because it forced me to review our schools curriculum, and revise it to meet the needs of our students in our district.

The students had the question; “can you create a game while keeping the students heart rates in their target heart rate zones for 20 minutes”? They also needed to take into consideration the different students skill levels, as all of them needed to be able to participate in the games. This was a great opportunity for the students’ minds and creativity shine while developing their leadership skills and manage a safe and enjoyable environment. The students could use different media resources, and internet websites to help give them ideas, and gain knowledge of what types of activities already exist.

KSD:


 * 4.K.2The teacher understands principles and techniques, along with advantages and limitations, associated with various instructional strategies (e.g. cooperative learning, direct instruction, discovery learning, whole group discussion, independent study, interdisciplinary instruction).**

Students were given a general question, and through problem solving skills, the students needed to develop a low organized game that would accommodate everyone in their class for 20 min.


 * 4.S.4The teacher varies his or her role in the instructional process (e.g. instructor, facilitator, coach, audience) in relation to the content and purposes of instruction and the needs of students.**

In the beginning of the project, the teacher is explaining, and guiding the students on what tasks they need to accomplish. As the project progresses, the teacher is more the facilitator/coach/audience, and is only there for guidance if anything comes up along the learning process.


 * 4.D.1The teacher values the development of students’ critical thinking, independent problem solving, and performance capabilities**

As mentioned before, this unit was designed for students’ critical thinking, and problem solving skills in their groups. This gave them a great opportunity to collaborate with one another, and develop a plan with a common goal in site.