Professional Growth Plan

Nam
e

Hayleigh Johnson

Established
Date
Review
Date
Review
Date

March 14, 2015

April 1st, 2015
April 24th , 2015

Goals
Establish focus on learning effective lesson introduction and closure
Related KSA(s)
the purposes of the Guide to Education and programs of study germane to the specialization or
subject disciplines they are prepared to teach. They know how to use these documents to
inform and direct their planning, instruction and assessment of student progress (3)

the purposes of short, medium and long term range planning. They know how to translate
curriculum and desired outcomes into reasoned, meaningful and incrementally progressive
learning opportunities for students. They also understand the need to vary their plans to
accommodate individuals and groups of students (6)

Indicator(s) of Success

3 exemplar lesson plan samples

A video recording of one of the three exemplar lesson plan samples
Feedback from TA and note recordings

Action

Resource(s)

Observe TA during the lessons with the Grade 8 and

extension classes and record notes on direction,
management, strategies etc.

Research strategies that explain effective lesson

planning on introducing and closing a lesson: try to
use at least three in the classroom:

Websites
Making classroom
lesson openings and
closings
http://www.cal.org/sio
p/
resources/lessonplans
.html

Strategy
1. Clear
beginnings
2.Write the
goal
3. Generalize
4.
Write/Discuss

TA

Timeline
Ongoing

April 13-17

Description
Establish the direction of learning by goal setting and objective setting.
Content objectives need to be simple, clearly defined and reviewed.
The teacher can write the content objective on the board or have students
write the goal in a journal
Have students discuss three important points from the lesson
Have students either discuss or write down the main idea of the day

ED3505 Teaching Seminar

Instructor Kurtis Hewson

5. Share the
purpose

Let students explain to you what they learned. Dont do the thinking for
them.

Reflection
With regard to improving my introduction, I have found that is always best to start your
lesson with a review of what the main idea was the previous class. It calls attention to the
teacher and allows for transition into the current lesson. This strategy was utilized to
increase progress of my introduction lessons. My teacher associate practices this strategy
with all of her classes in order for some cognitive thinking to begin. This strategy is also
helpful with formatively assessing previous knowledge. If students are confused on what was
previously learned, it is important to re-teach before moving on to the new lesson. In
addition, I have implemented one of the five strategies into my introduction lesson: write the
goal. Each lesson I write on the board the main idea in the form of a question for the reader
response journals. This concept has evolved over the week and the students have come to
expect this. Similarly, students have come to expect the generalizing strategy combined
with the written and discussion strategy each lesson. The students are assigned, whether
written or oral, to discuss the important point from the lesson.
This week has been dedicated to improving the introduction and closure of the lesson
through implementing the strategies above and through modelling my teacher associate. The
strategy share the purpose allows for students to bring the lesson to an effective close.
Students have the opportunity to explain to me what they have learned. With the assistance
of Thinking Aloud, done by myself, students now have a willingness to share what they
know. I have moved past asking students rhetorical questions and allowed them to think for
themselves.
I feel like my professional practice has been improved through practicing the above
strategies. I have noticed that the discussion in class is richer and more students have
become involved. I have learned that Thinking Aloud balances teacher-student involvement.
Through a clear introduction and effective closure, students are less confused by what they
are learning. By refreshing their previous knowledge at the beginning of each class, students
are able to make connection between previous and current understanding.
Overall, there is still room for growth. As my teaching career continues, I will discover new
strategies to practice. I will continue to build on my teaching strategies and keep in mind the
importance of student centered learning.

ED3505 Teaching Seminar

Instructor Kurtis Hewson