2. Standard two: Human growth and Development.  I will develop a better understanding of how children develop and learn in a variety of school, family, and community contexts and provide opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.

Objectives:

i.     I will develop a deeper knowledge and understanding

        1. Of how students construct knowledge, acquire skills and develop habits of mind and how to use instructional strategies that promote student learning.

         2. Of how student learning is influenced by individual experiences, talents, and prior learning, as well as language, culture, family, and community values; and

         3. Of how to identify and teach to the developmental abilities of students, which may include learning differences, visual and perceptual differences, cultural and socio-emotional differences, special physical or emotional challenges and gifted and talented exceptionalities.

Assessment Activities:

1. Conduct research through reading various books on child development and the best ways to teach reading strategies to help young children become better readers.

2. Ways to identify the developmental abilities of my students and learn how these differences can be used to enhance reading skills.

3A. Develop lesson plans for my interdisciplinary unit to encourage students to construct knowledge and develop the fundamental skills required of reading.

3B. Develop ways to incorporate and involve my students in reading through relating the reading material to real life.