1b Demonstrating Knowledge of Students The following is an example of Wiggles and Squiggles. The students at Purple Sage start with a template squiggle as shown in the photo on the left. They are encouraged to be as creative and detailed as possible. The squiggle is their starter, and they have to create a picture using the random shapes. After they draw the picture, they write their story. I put this artifact in this subcategory because it is a very explanatory product of student growth. The students complete one Wiggles and Squiggles a week. After flipping through the book, I could see the growth from September 2016 to now (only 6 months later!). Their writing is more legible, their stories are more detailed, and their drawings are more skillful.
1d Demonstrating Knowledge of Resources For this subcategory I have included my ICLA certificates. In my undergrad and graduate school career I have developed the skills to pass all three exam credentials. This assessment is a measure of basic literacy skills for reading, writing, and math. These skills are integral to successful teaching. The content within the ICLA exams is content that will be applied in the teaching world on a daily basis.
1e Designing Coherent Instruction In my two placements for student teaching, I experienced two very different processes in planning and instruction. Idaho Arts Charter School (IACS) has requirements designed to follow the Idaho Core Standards. IACS implements the EngageNY curriculum; teachers are given flexibility as long as the requirements are met. Purple Sage Elementary School, however, had a unique year where much freedom was given to planning and instruction. Purple Sage is in the process of adopting a new curriculum for the next school year.
Below I have included a picture of Planbook (first picture), which was used at Idaho Arts Charter. I have also included an image depicting one of the plans I created for Purple Sage. Putting the two pictures side by side reflects the polarity of my style of teaching from Fall to Spring (2016/17). At Idaho Arts Charter I was required to be very specific in my planning, whereas Purple Sage allowed me to be creative and adjust to my student's learning needs.