Standard #7: Instructional Planning Skills The teacher plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students,

the community, and curriculum goals. Artifact: Classroom Observation and notes My Rationale: For my observation, I used my experience and volunteer time as a Sunday school teacher at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Schererville, Indiana. I choose this avenue to explore since I wanted to evaluate how my learning in my Introduction to Education classroom has influenced the methods in which I teach my students who range from first grade to fourth grade. I picked the Standard #7 because I have traditionally used the Instructional Planning Method to teach my classroom in order to give me a sense of control in a not all together familiar subject. Standard #5 could have also been a standard chosen because I teach Good Shepherd which is a Montessori based children's program out of Rome and is supported by the church. A teacher must receive ninety hours of catechesis training to be qualified to encourage and motivate a child to think and work for themselves without a textbook. My Reflections and Future Professional Learning Goals: I have realized that the INTASC Standards are a wonderful measure by which an educated teacher can reflect on how well they are reaching their students. A teacher must properly prepare, know their subject matter, and know their students abilities in order to create a successful classroom environment whether you are in a traditional or nontraditional learning facility. In observing the other two teachers in my area, I noted they are both prepared, knowledgeable, and strengthened by a love for what they do. While I have been the epitome of Standard #7 planning my presentations and discussions with my students according to the exact curriculum goals and subject matter, I propose to do the unthinkable and incorporate the methods I have learned in traditional teaching styles with the love and depth found in Montessori based religious education. Education, in any area of the childs life, need not be strictly one method or the other. A combination of all aspects of teaching truly reaches the childs soul and excites them to all possibilities of their academic careers. Observing how my colleagues and I have addressed the Good Shepherd training and subsequent teaching of students has been enlightening and stimulating.

Classroom Notes: A typical time frame for Good Shepherd training starts at 5pm. The teacher must arrive early to prepare the designated learning space for the incoming children since there is not a designated permanent classroom available. An empty area in the church hall is broken into three separate classrooms for three level classes. Level 1 area is designated for the three to six

year olds. We set up child size tables, chairs, and miniature learning materials based on the curriculum for the Good Shepherd program. Level 2 is set simply with normal sized chairs and a cabinet full of materials the children, who are grades one to four, are encouraged to explore and work with after the teachers presentation for the week. These children are at a vital stage in their religious academic careers since they complete their Reconciliation in grade 2 and their Communion in grade 3. Level 3 is set similarly to Level 2 with the exception of more advanced work that prepares them for the culmination of their religious education career resulting in Confirmation. These children are grades five through 8 with grade 8 being the age where the students will complete their Confirmation and become adult members of the church community. After class starts at 6pm, attendance is taken, and children are directed to search for, highlight, and read their Bible verses. This teaches the students the proper methods in which to use the Bible. The catechist continuously quizzes the students on Bible books, chapters, and verses to promote their common knowledge of the Bible and its entire works. After reviewing the verse to confirm that the children truly understand what they are reading, a presentation on the Mustard Seed parable, or whichever presentation or that day, for Level 2 is given. The children are reminded of the Level 1 presentation they witnessed to help them recall and build upon their background knowledge. The children are continuously asked for their opinion and thoughts to keep them engaged and better absorb the material. Teachers are to refrain from giving their thoughts and lecturing the children, instead encouraging and leading them with questions to help the students come to conclusions on their own. This increases their self-esteem and fervor for the subject. After the presentation, the children are encouraged to work individually on a project they have viewed before. Individual work is stressed so the children may fall into a deep reflective state thus absorbing and meditating on the Godly lessons learned. At 7:30, after a wrap up prayer, the students are released to their parents. The teachers must put all the classroom items away every week which lasts until approximately 8:10pm.