Standard 3: Content and Curriculum Expertise

Teacher leaders have a deep knowledge of the subjects they teach and understanding of curriculum theory and development. They value collaboration and the interconnectedness of disciplines. They understand the importance of curriculum relevance in engaging students in content. Indicators are:

Context

This IRA Standards Matrix artifact was created as part of class RE 5525, Product of Learning, under the instruction of Dr. Woodrow Trathen.  The matrix documents how the standards for Reading Language Arts from the International Reading Association have been met through my education in Appalachian's Reading Education Master's Program.  I aligned each standard with artifacts from the master's program and accompanied a rationale statement as to how that standard was addressed by the artifact.

Rationale

This artifact shows I have gained a deep understanding of the reading and writing processes through the master's program in Reading Education at Appalachian State University and that I understand the importance of curriculum relevance in engaging students in content.  Furthermore, the matrix demonstrates my in-depth knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in reading, writing and spelling. It also demonstrates my ability to integrate the 21st century content and skills into educational practices.  The Matrix shows the relevant and rigorous curriculum I gained through Appalachian's Master's in Reading Education Program.  I have met the criteria to be deemed a highly qualified literacy teacher.



Instructional Strategies Resource List for Understanding Fiction

Context

This strategies list is a resource of best practices for helping students understand fiction text developed in Dr. Moorman's Reading and Writing Instruction for Intermediate and Advance Learners course (RE 5730).

Rational

This artifact shows I am able to integrate 21st century content and skills into the literacy practices I use in my classroom. One 21st century skills is the ability to think critically. Several of the activities included in this resources list employ these skills such as double-entry diaries, follow the characters and quick writes. Collaboration, another 21st century skill, is also addressed in this list with hotseating and tableaux. Both of these comprehension activities require students to work together. The classroom implication under each of the resources which are considered as best practices demonstrates my in-depth knowledge of the instructional practices which makes the curriculum relevant and rigorous for my students.