Ariana Szep

Professor Suk
EDUC 230-03 Education Field Experience
Spring 2023
Rationale Statement-Standard #5

Standard # and Title:

5. Standard Five: Application of Content
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage
learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic
local and global issues (“New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers alignment with
InTASC,” 2014, p. 6).

Artifact: Observation Report 6

Date of Completion: Spring 2023

Course Completed in: EDUC 230-03

Rationale Statement:

The artifact that is being reflected upon is Observation Report 6 that I completed during

this semester based off of data, which I collected during my fieldwork placement. The

observation report consisted of observing and analyzing the ways in which my placement teacher

prepped and planned her lessons, guided instruction, and implemented accommodations and

modifications. The artifact best correlates with Standard #5 because, during the math lesson that

I observed, the teacher used multiple ways to engage students, assess their learning, and promote

group participation and discussion. Specifically, in the essential knowledge indicator group,

indicator number four connects effortlessly with the observation report, “The teacher understands

how to use digital and interactive technologies for efficiently and effectively achieving specific

learning goals,” (“New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers alignment with InTASC,”

2014, p. 7). The teacher utilizes many forms of technology and hands-on activities during all her

lessons, though it is evidently seen during this specific lesson, which I observed. Throughout the

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lesson, the teacher implements the use of the Smart board, interactive video, hands-on

manipulatives, as well as visuals and drawings to help further students' understanding of the new

concepts being presented. Additionally, once students are completed with their worksheet, they

are permitted to conduct additional math practice on their Chromebooks using various math

websites and applications, such as ABCya! and XtraMath.

Through the completion of this observation report, I learned the importance of teacher

dialogue during instruction. Many times during this math lesson, students would provide an

incorrect answer. Rather than becoming irritated, upset, or giving up on explaining the content to

students, the teacher remained patient, reiterated the question in different ways that made more

sense to the specific student, and administered a follow-up question to the student to evaluate

their understanding after a differentiated explanation. The teacher never changed her composure

and maintained an encouraging and light tone as she continued through the lesson.

Finally, I will incorporate the skills and attributes observed by my placement teacher into

my future teaching practice by implementing some form of technology or hands-on approach in

all of my lessons. Especially in our advancing society, it is crucial for young students to practice

using various forms of technology, such as their computers and the Smart board as well as

timers, clocks, and scales. Giving students the exposure to these diverse devices and teaching

them the skills and abilities needed to use these tools efficiently can open up a brand-new world

of accessibility to academic information and career building skills.

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 Reference

New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers Alignment with InTASC. (2014, August 4).

Retrieved from New Jersey State Department of Education:

https://www.state.nj.us/education/profdev/profstand/ProfStandardsforTeachersAlignment

withInTASC.pdf

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