PTS: Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning
Element: Developing student understanding through instructional strategies that are appropriate to the subject matter
Indicators
As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”:
- Develop and use a repertoire of instructional strategies that are well suited to teaching a particular subject matter?
- Use my knowledge of subject matter to help students construct their own knowledge?
- Challenge all students to think critically in each subject area?
- Build on student life experience, prior knowledge, and interests to make the content relevant and meaningful to them?
- Use a variety of instructional strategies and approaches to illustrate a concept and its connections within and across subject areas?
- Help all students develop enthusiasm for and a deep knowledge of the subject matter?
Descriptions
Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Making content relevant and meaningful to students through the use of art, music, dance and drama
- Providing visual, hands-on learning experiences for students such as science labs and math tournaments
- Making learning active by employing re-enactments/role playing, debates, and activities that involve reading and writing historical fiction, and creating artifacts
Problems of Practice
Challenges with this element frequently include:
- Continuously using the same instructional strategies because the class responded positively when one first used them
- Inability to deviate from the written curriculum to add to, modify, and enhance it as needed to support the needs of students
- Inflexibility with teachable moments to keep on track with the pacing calendar