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Running Head: Planning, Preparation, Instruction and Assessment

Planning, Preparation, Instruction, and Assessment of Learners
Jennifer Sevinsky
Regent University

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2016

Running Head: Planning, Preparation, Instruction and Assessment

Introduction
By learning you will teach; by teaching you will learn (STANDS4LLC); I feel this
quote sums up my entire undergrad career, however, even more so, as I continue through my
Student Teaching experience. While Student Teaching is all about growing in your expertise
within the classroom you have to start somewhere first. Being able to grow and develop within
your expertise all begins with that first lesson.
Rationale for selection of Artifact
I chose to use my first lesson, on metric measurements, I taught and the first observation
critique. The focus was on accessing prior knowledge in order to give students a new perception
of measuring distance. It was all about bringing the lesson into terms that the students could
relate to in understanding how we use different units of measurements to measure objects we use
on a daily basis.
While this lesson plan was based off my instructors plan, it showcases my ability to take
something and make it my own. It helps set up what defines me as an instructor and my ability to
create something that will have lasting impacts on my students. Not only will this first lesson be
used to track my progress, but when paired with my, first, administrator evaluation it allows me
the necessary guidelines I can follow in order to continue strengthening my planning techniques
as the weeks continue to progress.
Now that I have completed Week 4, with two weeks of multiple lesson plans from
multiple subjects, under my belt, it has opened my eyes to the fact that I underestimated myself.
To see the feedback I have, already, received encourages me to know that I am headed in the
right direction. As Student teachers our focus should be on our growth through our time within
the classroom which is why it is nice to have that initial comparison of a first lesson plan and

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2016

Running Head: Planning, Preparation, Instruction and Assessment

observation to reflect back upon in order to see the improvements that have been made
throughout the weeks.
Reflection on Theory and Practice
The beauty of student teaching is that it is, not only, a time to physically use what I have
learned from my education classes, but it is also a great time of trial and error. One thing I like
about the Madeline Hunter model is the ability to break down each component of instruction
including:
1. Planning
2. Preparation
3. Instruction
4. Assessment
This enables me to ensure that I am using each method effectively within my lessons because I
am able to take the time, beforehand, to plan each one out. It also helps with the breakdown in
areas I made need improvement on in order to create more effective lessons.
Reflection
Student Teaching is all about beginning a journey of defining who you are as a teacher.
As with any journey there has to be some sort of start that you build upon in order to better
yourself along the way. It is also an evaluative tool to help evaluate your success, especially
when using it in comparison with your first administrator evaluation. As a student teacher I am
still in the learning process which is why reflective planning is so important. According to
Bernstein (2013) Teachers criticize their practice on a regular basis to deepen knowledge,
expand their repertoire of skills, and incorporate new findings into their profile (n.p.). The
benefits of student teaching is the guidance I receive from both a mentor teacher and professors

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2016

Running Head: Planning, Preparation, Instruction and Assessment

altogether. As beginners, we dont always know what to change in regards to our teaching
methods and practices, which is why the mentor/mentee relationship is so imperative.
Overall, I feel my lesson planning abilities have, already, drastically, improved because I
am able to use what I see during instruction and assessments in order to critique and better my
lessons as I go. I can, already, see a major difference between my first plan and my plans, now,
starting week 4; which will only be used to keep improving for the weeks to come.

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2016

Running Head: Planning, Preparation, Instruction and Assessment

References
Bernstein, Kenneth. (2013). The Reflective Practice of Teaching. Retrieved from
http://www.wholechildeducation.org/blog/the-reflective-practice-of-teaching
STANDS4LLC. (2016). Quotes. Retrieved from http://www.quotes.net/quote/16678.

In partial fulfillment of UED 496 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2016