210-152 Elementary Curriculum
Alignment with INTASC Professional Standards

Principle #1: CONTENT KNOWLEDGE--The candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
  1. Apply developmentally appropriate strategies that provide a variety of approaches to knowledge construction and content integration.
  2. Demonstrates understanding of central concepts in his/her selection of materials and activities to support an integrative thematic unit and meet the needs of individual learners.
  3. Develop lesson plans that include objectives or expected outcomes, rationales, materials, instructional procedures and activity descriptions within the integrated thematic unit that reflect knowledge of central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of discipline.
  4. Communicates an understanding of the importance of content knowledge in effective teaching..
Principle #2: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT--The candidate understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and personal development.
  1. Identify teaching strategies and environmental characteristics that support learning.
  2. Include lesson plans that facilitate the learning process rather than rote memorization.
  3. Communicates an understanding of how children learn and develop and the necessity of this understanding for effective teaching.
Principle #3: DIVERSE LEARNERS--The candidate understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
  1. Create an integrative thematic unit that includes lessons and activities that support best practices, that are developmentally and culturally appropriate, and that use a variety of assessment strategies.
  2. Understand the need for and plan instructional activities and select instructional materials that support objectives and adaptations for learners with special needs.
  3. Communicates an understanding of diverse learners and the necessity of this understanding for effective teaching.
Principle #4: INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES--The candidate understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
  1. Develop and implement activities that stimulate reflective, critical, and creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making within and across disciplines.
Principle #5: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT--The candidate uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
  1. Describe and design learning environments that support and facilitate student and teacher productivity.
  2. Create plans that demonstrate a positive teacher/student collaborative relationship.
  3. Create plans that foster student autonomy.
Principle #6: COMMUNICATION--The candidate uses knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
  1. Orally share information with others regarding curriculum design.
  2. Identify and practice the characteristics, dispositions, skills, and roles of effective educational leaders, informed decision makers, and lifelong learners.
  3. Communicates an understanding of modes of communication and the need to facilitate communication through various modes for effective teaching
Principle #7: PLANNING INSTRUCTION--The candidate plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
  1. Develop lesson plans that include objectives or expected outcomes, rationales, materials, instructional procedures and activity descriptions within the integrated thematic unit.
  2. Develop lesson plans that facilitate communication among students and within the community.
  3. Develop lesson plans that stimulate reflective, critical, and creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making within and across disciplines.
  4. Develop lesson plans reflecting an effective learning environment.
Principle #8: ASSESSMENT--The candidate understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.
  1. Create a variety of assessment strategies within the context of an integrative thematic unit.
  2. Develop a plan for formative assessment to adjust instruction to meet the intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.
Principle #9: REFLECTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT--The candidate is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
  1. Demonstrate the ability to apply recent research findings to the teaching and learning process and to their own professional development.
  2. Apply the skills of goal setting, planning, reflection, and evaluation through the creation of a professional development plan and process portfolio
  3. Identify and practice the characteristics, dispositions, skills, and roles of effective educational leaders, informed decision makers, and lifelong learners
Principle #10: SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS--The candidate fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being.
  1. Identify various teacher roles, school organizational patterns, and philosophical variants as they relate to curricular development and school improvement.
  2. Articulate the importance of family involvement and plan appropriate ways to involve families in the teaching and learning process.
Principle #11: USE OF TECHNOLOGY--The candidate integrates the computer and other high and low technology into classroom teaching activities, assessment and/or documentation.
  1. Demonstrate appropriate implementation and integration of a variety of media and technology that support and enhance the teaching and learning process.
  2. Communicate an understanding of available technology and the necessity of this utilizing technology for effective teaching.