Standard 4: Content Knowledge

Middle grades teacher candidates understand and use the central concepts, tools of inquiry, standards, and structures of content in their chosen teaching fields and create meaningful learning experiences that develop young adolescents’ competence in subject matter and skills.

            I gained content knowledge through my ISLP, Biographical Study, and Poetry Portfolio. All of these projects required me to conduct extensive research in my content areas. These projects made me focus on content and learn how to find appropriate content so that I would be able to teach my students all the content they need to know. After completing these projects, as well as similar projects, I feel prepared to teach any grade level language arts and social studies.  

Through the ISLP project I had to create three lesson plans that focused on one central theme. I had to use reliable sources to create my lesson plans that were content accurate, engaging, challenging, and connected to students’ everyday lives. I also created assessments that tested students’ understanding of the content taught. Not only did the project have me create these items but also I had to teach them as well then reflect on my performance.

            By actually teaching middle grade students I was able to see what methods worked and which did not. I learned how to modify lessons based on the students in different classes. I learned how to meet the needs of all students, no matter what their academic level. Every student was challenged appropriately and most every student learned the content I taught. There were a variety of assessments given and many were given during the lessons to moderator student growth and this allowed me to make sure every student was on the right track to learning the content.

            After I had taught the lessons and given the assessments, the ISLP project had me reflect on my teaching style and the lesson plans themselves. The project also gave me criteria I would need to use when deciding what content I should teach. It taught me how to observe my students and make the appropriate changes based on them. The project also had me consider different elements of my classroom, like materials needed, classroom management, technology implemented, and suitable research. I would not have known to look at these components without this project.

            Overall the ISLP project has made me a better teacher. I now know how to create lessons and assessments that are valuable to students and will ensure their learning of the content. I know what to look for in a classroom environment and what steps need to be taken to ensure that the school environment allows students to grow. Without this project I would not feel as prepared for teaching as I do now.

            The Biographical Study helped me learn about famous individuals in social studies. I did extensive research on individuals of all genders, races, nationalities, and economic/political standing of a variety of time periods. I choose to focus on Elizabeth Hamilton and I did in depth research on her and the time period in which she lived. Through this research I now know at least one great individual I can focus a unit around in social studies. This will help students become more engaged and knowledgeable of history.

            My Poetry Portfolio helped me to learn how to write and read many different types of poetry. As a language arts teacher I will be required to teach a poetry unit. Due to this portfolio I now feel prepared to teach this unit. Without this portfolio I would not know how to read or write poetry as well as I do now. Poetry is such an important part of the curriculum that it is essential that I am able to teach it well. After this project I do have that confidence to teach a poetry unit and to teach in a way that students will truly learn about poetry. This portfolio also gave me content on other aspects of the language arts curriculum because many of the activities used to write the poems in the portfolio could be used to write other types of literature as well.   

            Through these projects and other projects completed during my time at Appalachian State University I have met standard 4 of the middle grades standards. I now feel completely prepared to teach any aspect of any middle grades language arts or social studies class. I know how to find reliable sources for both content areas and I have a variety of resources that ensure that I can cover all content required of me to teach.