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Post your TPA and review two of your peers' TPAs and leave feedback based on the rubric.

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From Numbers to Action: A New Teacher’s Guide to Implementing Data-Driven Instruction

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From Numbers to Action: A New Teacher’s Guide to Implementing Data-Driven Instruction

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What Is Data-Driven Instruction?

Data-Driven Instruction (DDI) is the process of using student data—such as quiz results, exit tickets, observations, and diagnostic assessments—to inform teaching decisions. At its core, DDI helps answer three essential questions:

1. Where are my students right now?
2. What do they need next?
3. How can I help them get there?

Instead of teaching a one-size-fits-all lesson, DDI empowers you to target instruction based on real evidence of student understanding. According to Bambrick-Santoyo (2010), effective data-driven instruction focuses on frequent, standards-aligned assessments, timely analysis, and teacher action planning.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Data When Planning Instruction

Step 1: Start With Clear Learning Goals

Before collecting or analyzing any data, you need to know where you're going. Use your standards, curriculum maps, and lesson objectives to identify:
- What students should know and be able to do by the end of the unit or lesson
- The specific skills or knowledge that will be assessed

Tip: Write student-friendly “I can” statements to make learning goals visible (Tomlinson, 2014).

Step 2: Collect Meaningful Data

Data comes in many forms—not just big end-of-unit tests. Consider:
- Formative Assessments (exit tickets, do-nows, quick quizzes)
- Observational Data (participation, group work, reading behaviors)
- Diagnostic Tools (reading level tests, math screeners)
- Student Work Samples (writing, problem-solving tasks)

Don’t wait for a formal test to get data—use small daily check-ins to track progress (Black & Wiliam, 1998).

Step 3: Analyze the Data

After collecting data, take time to look for patterns:
- Who is struggling with a concept?
- Which questions were most commonly missed?
- Are there gaps between subgroups (e.g., ELLs, students with IEPs)?
- Is a skill not mastered across the whole class?

Create simple charts or color-coded lists to visualize strengths and gaps. Consider using spreadsheets, sticky notes, or digital tools like Google Sheets.

Step 4: Group Students Based on Needs

Data helps you create flexible groups for instruction. You might group students who:
- Need more support on a specific skill
- Are ready for enrichment or higher-level thinking
- Share similar misconceptions

Remember: These groups should be fluid, not fixed. Students can and should move between groups as they grow (Fisher, Frey, & Hattie, 2016).

Step 5: Plan Differentiated Instruction

Now that you know what your students need, differentiate your teaching:
- Use leveled materials or scaffolded texts for reading
- Offer multiple ways to access content (videos, hands-on, teacher-led)
- Provide varied practice options (e.g., choice boards, small-group tasks)
- Incorporate reteaching or mini-lessons for groups with similar gaps

You don’t have to rewrite every lesson—just adjust key parts to match student needs (Tomlinson, 2014).

Step 6: Reassess and Adjust

After teaching, assess again. Use another quick check (e.g., an exit slip or quiz) to see:
- Did students grow in the skill or concept?
- Do some students need more time?
- Are others ready to move on?

Teaching with data is a cycle—not a one-time event. The best teachers continuously gather, reflect, and adjust (Bambrick-Santoyo, 2010).

Real Talk: What If the Data Feels Overwhelming?

For new teachers, it's easy to get lost in the numbers. Here are three reminders:
1. Start small. Use just one type of formative data at a time.
2. Keep it visual. Use color coding or sticky notes to track groups.
3. Collaborate. Use team meetings or mentors to look at data together.

Final Thought

Data-driven instruction isn’t about spreadsheets—it’s about student growth. When you use data to plan, you shift from teaching content to teaching students. And that’s what great teaching is all about.

You don’t need to be perfect—just be curious, intentional, and responsive. Your students will thank you.

References

Bambrick-Santoyo, P. (2010). Driven by data: A practical guide to improve instruction. Jossey-Bass.
Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Assessment and classroom learning. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 5(1), 7–74.
Fisher, D., Frey, N., & Hattie, J. (2016). Visible learning for literacy: Implementing the practices that work best to accelerate student learning. Corwin.
Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners (2nd ed.). ASCD.

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Culturally Responsive Teaching and Equity Audits

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Culturally Responsive Teaching and Equity Audits

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Engage and assess your students in every lesson!

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Urban, rural, and suburban affordances and challenges resources

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Urban, rural, and suburban affordances and challenges resources

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9/11 4pm Guest speaker -Brieanna Moreno, Director of education WSKG

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9/11 4pm Guest speaker -Brieanna Moreno, Director of education WSKG

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Assignment Sheet: Task 1 – Community and School Equity Audit

Overview

In this assignment, you will explore the community and school where you are placed to better understand the social, economic, and educational contexts that impact students. You will analyze demographic data and complete an equity audit focusing on key areas related to access, achievement, power, and identity.

Steps to Complete the Task

Step 1: Community Observation
Spend a day visiting community spaces where local youth hang out (parks, libraries, youth centers, game stores, etc.). If the school is a central hub in a rural area, observe activities there. Take notes on how youth spend time, their friendships, and hobbies.

Step 2: Collect Demographic Data
Locate and gather NYSED demographic data for your placement school. This includes data on race/ethnicity, language proficiency, poverty (e.g., Free and Reduced Meals - FARMs), and other relevant statistics.

Step 3: Write a Community and School Summary
Include the following in your summary:

Description of the community (rural, suburban, urban) and any unique social, economic, ecological, or geographic challenges it faces

Affordances and challenges for teaching and learning in the community (highlight strengths as well as difficulties)

School demographics including race/ethnicity, English proficiency, languages spoken at home, and poverty indicators (FARMs)

Step 4: Complete the Equity Audit Table
Analyze your community and school using these four lenses:

Access: Resources like technology, curriculum, classroom space

Achievement: Student outcomes and supports

Power: Policies like homework, grading, classroom norms

Identity: Practices that influence student identity and belonging

Tips for Success

Spend time observing and taking detailed notes in community spaces

Use reliable data sources for demographics (NYSED website)

Use theory or research to support your claims about affordances and challenges

Be thorough and honest in your equity audit analysis

Proofread your writing carefully before submission

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Differentiation Techniques for English Language Learners (ELLs)

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Differentiation Techniques for English Language Learners (ELLs)

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Supporting Language Development & Content Mastery

1. Simplify Language, Not Content

Use clear, concise instructions.

Avoid idioms, slang, and complex sentence structures.

Provide glossaries of key terms with definitions and visuals.

Use consistent academic language and repeat key vocabulary.

2. Visual Supports

Use pictures, diagrams, graphic organizers, and charts.

Incorporate videos, maps, and realia (real objects).

Label classroom objects and materials in English and students’ home languages if possible.

3. Use Scaffolding Strategies

Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Provide sentence starters and writing frames.

Model answers or processes before independent work.

Pair oral explanations with written text.

4. Offer Multiple Ways to Demonstrate Understanding

Allow oral presentations, drawings, or multimedia projects alongside written work.

Use portfolios or journals for ongoing language development.

Accept responses in students’ home languages when appropriate.

5. Provide Extended Time and Flexible Pacing

Allow extra time for processing and responding.

Permit breaks during longer assessments or tasks.

6. Collaborative Learning Opportunities

Use pair or small group work to encourage peer interaction.

Encourage peer tutoring or cooperative projects.

7. Leverage Technology

Use translation apps and bilingual dictionaries.

Utilize text-to-speech and speech-to-text tools.

Provide access to language learning software and interactive online resources.

8. Activate Prior Knowledge

Connect new content to students’ cultural backgrounds and experiences.

Use KWL charts (What I Know, Want to Know, Learned) to build engagement.

9. Ongoing Formative Assessment

Use informal checks (thumbs up/down, exit tickets).

Provide frequent feedback focused on growth.

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Assessment for New Teachers Edutopia webinar

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Assessment for New Teachers Edutopia webinar

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Edutopia Sessions: Assessment for New Teachers

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How to Use the Colorin Colorado ELL Strategy Library

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How to Use the Colorin Colorado ELL Strategy Library

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Now, an average of Tier 6 members' last three salary years, instead of their last five salary years, will determine their lifetime pension payments.

The new calculation means Tier 6 members will receive a bigger pension check, every month, for life. Individual situations will vary, but this works out to around $100,000 more in lifetime retirement earnings!

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It's been over a decade since Tier 6 became part of the New York state pension system. We have work to do to make public service retirement fair for everyone ...

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How to Be a Data-Driven Educator: Quick Tips for Data Collection in the Classroom

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How to Be a Data-Driven Educator: Quick Tips for Data Collection in the Classroom

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How to Be a Data-Driven Educator: Quick Tips for Data Collection in the Classroom | Kathleen Jasper

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ASK 3 ASSIGNMENT SHEET
Title: Analysis and Intervention Plan

Overview: What You’ll Do

In this task, you will:

Analyze one assessment from your lesson sequence in Task 2.

Identify patterns of student understanding and areas of need.

Use this analysis to design a targeted intervention lesson.

Explain why your intervention is appropriate based on student learning evidence.

This task prepares you to make instructional decisions that are responsive to student needs and rooted in data.

✅ Part I: Selected Assessment

1. Which lesson did this assessment take place in?
(Provide lesson title and number in sequence)

2. What is the format of this assessment?
(e.g., exit ticket, quiz, short answer prompt)

3. What knowledge/skills were assessed?
(What did this assessment measure about students’ learning?)

4. Include a copy or link to the assessment:
(Attach or link your assessment tool/document.)

📊 Part II: Patterns of Learning

1. Create a table/chart summarizing class data:
(Include scores or levels of performance by item or skill. Use a separate page if needed.)

StudentQ1 ScoreQ2 ScoreQ3 ScoreTotal/Comment

2. What are the strengths you noticed in student understanding?

Provide numerical and qualitative insights.

Include examples of correct thinking or misconceptions students avoided.

3. What are the areas of struggle?

Use both numbers and examples of misunderstanding.

4. What will your intervention focus on?

Write a learning objective targeting the identified need.

Example: “Students will be able to distinguish between X and Y by...”

🛠️ Part III: Intervention Lesson Plan

Lesson Objective(s):

Clearly state what students will learn in this intervention.

State Standards/Core Curriculum:

List the standard(s) this lesson addresses and explain how.

Materials Needed:

List all texts, handouts, manipulatives, or tech tools.

Introductory Activity (5–10 minutes)

How will you activate prior knowledge and link to the previous lesson?
Include:

Instructional strategy (e.g., turn-and-talk, visual analysis)

Key questions or prompts

Discursive practices (e.g., partner talk, equity sticks)

✍️ Write your introduction paragraph here:

Developmental Activities (15–25 minutes)

This section must:

Build on, not repeat, the original lesson

Target the learning need from Part II

Engage at least 3 students with similar needs

Include:

Activity steps and pacing

Grouping strategies

Key questions/prompts

Discursive practices used and when

✍️ Write your developmental activities here:

Concluding Activity (5–10 minutes)

How will you check for understanding and wrap up the lesson?

Assessment Within the Intervention

What tool will you use to assess learning during/after the intervention?
Include:

Copies of exit tickets, rubrics, or performance checklists

Questions/prompts used for formative assessment
✍️ Attach these at the end of your document.

Plans for Students with Diverse Needs

How will you differentiate for ELLs, students with IEPs, or other unique learners?

📎 Submission Checklist:

✅ Completed template with all sections filled
✅ Data chart/table and narrative summary
✅ Copy of assessment used
✅ Copy of intervention materials or assessments
✅ Differentiation plan

Reminder: In Task 4, you will reflect on this intervention’s effectiveness. So keep all student samples and exit slips from the intervention lesson!

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Assignment Sheet: Task 2 – Planning a Learning Segment

Overview

In Task 2, you will design a learning segment of 3–4 consecutive lessons for one class.
This task builds on your work in Task 1 and asks you to apply your content knowledge, instructional skills, and understanding of student learning.

You will:

Plan a sequence of lessons around a central topic or skill

Justify your instructional decisions using knowledge of your students and content area

Embed formative assessment, including one key assessment that will be analyzed more deeply in Task 3

Address classroom discourse, literacy development, and a discipline-specific skill

Key Requirements

Your learning segment must include:

✓ Lesson Sequence Overview

Identify the grade level, classroom context, and content area

Explain why the topic or skill was selected (based on standards, host teacher input, student needs)

✓ 3–4 Detailed Lesson Plans

Clear objectives aligned to standards

Differentiated instruction based on student readiness, interests, or learning profiles

Use of classroom discourse (oral and written) in different formats (individual, small group, whole-class)

Embedded literacy strategies (reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening)

✓ Formative Assessment Plan

Include formative checks in each lesson

Identify one key formative assessment to analyze student learning

Design this assessment to gather meaningful data that informs next steps (e.g., reteaching, small group support)

✓ Integration of a Key Content-Area Skill
Choose one of the following content-specific components and explain how it is addressed in your lesson sequence:

Content Area Components

English:

Close reading

Articulating claims

Inferential questioning

Text structure analysis

Short or sustained writing

Math:

Mathematical reasoning

Technology integration

Patterns and structures

Problem-solving strategies

Science:

Scientific questioning

Modeling and investigation

Structure-function relationships

Argument from evidence

Foreign Language (Target Language):

Interpreting diverse texts

Expressing preferences or opinions

Cultural comparisons

Negotiating meaning

Social Studies:

Close reading of texts

Multiple perspectives

Historical pattern recognition

Primary/secondary source analysis

Writing tasks and civic inquiry

Family & Consumer Sciences:

Personal/resource management

Career readiness

Technology and sustainability

Work-Based Learning (WBL)

Planning Questions to Guide You

1. What prior knowledge and literacy strengths do your students bring to this topic?

2. How will students engage in discourse (talk, write, argue, explain)?

3. What texts, tools, or representations will you use to support access?

4. How will your key formative assessment help you adjust instruction?

5. How does your unit build disciplinary literacy and real-world application?

Deliverables

Completed Task 2 Template (lesson plans, rationales, assessment details)

Sample formative assessment (attached or linked)

Reference to standards (NYS, Common Core, or content-specific frameworks)

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Task 4 Assignment- Analysis and Reflection

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Task 4 Assignment- Analysis and Reflection

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Overview
In this task, you will analyze the effectiveness of your intervention and reflect on your instruction. You will use both your own analysis and your cooperating teacher’s feedback to identify an area of teaching you can continue to grow in. You will also create a plan for using resources, professional organizations, and colleagues to support this professional development.

What You Need to Do

Part I: Formative Assessment Analysis
Reflect on and analyze the effectiveness of the instructional intervention you implemented.

1. Use evidence from student work and/or student statements to evaluate how effective your intervention was.
a. Describe the strengths of your intervention. How did it support students’ development of knowledge, understanding, or skills?
b. Identify challenges or ways the intervention could have been improved to better support student learning.

Part II: Cooperating Teacher Feedback
You will need to ask your cooperating teacher to complete this section. Be sure to allow time for them to respond.

1. Cooperating Teacher Feedback:
a. Identify 1–2 strengths of your planning and instruction.
b. Identify 1–2 challenges or areas for growth related to your planning and instruction.

2. Your Reflection:
Describe how both your own analysis and your cooperating teacher’s feedback will inform your planning and instruction for future lessons and units.

Part III: Future Professional Development

1. Based on your analysis and reflection, identify one area of your teaching practice that you want to improve.

2. Describe specific professional organizations, resources, or colleagues you can turn to for support in developing this area.
Examples may include:

Attending a professional development workshop or webinar

Joining a subject-specific professional organization

Using a published curriculum resource or teaching guide

Observing a peer teacher or meeting with a mentor

Submission Guidelines

Use the official Task 4 Template.

Type your responses directly into the template. Do not delete the prompts or change the font or format.

Be honest and specific in your reflection. This task is about growth, not perfection.

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Register for Episode 4 Teacher Well-being webinar on Share My Lesson 

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Register for Episode 4 Teacher Well-being webinar on Share My Lesson 

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Register for Episode 4 and make sure to save your certificate for your teaching portfolio.

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Select one or more of the following webcasts and complete registration. Click any webcast listing to view its details.

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Task 3 – Analysis and Intervention

Student Sample – Middle School Math (Two-Step Equations)
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Lesson Topic: Solving Two-Step Equations Using Inverse Operations

Part I: Selected Assessment

The assessment I selected took place during Lesson 2 of my 4-lesson sequence on solving two-step equations. This assessment was designed as an exit ticket consisting of three equations students had to solve and annotate. These equations were structured to test students’ understanding of applying inverse operations correctly and in the appropriate sequence. For example, students were required to solve equations such as 3x+5=203x + 5 = 203x+5=20 and x4−3=2\frac{x}{4} - 3 = 24x​−3=2, showing all steps. The purpose of this assessment was to measure students’ conceptual grasp of equation balance, inverse operations, and variable isolation, all of which are core objectives for this segment of instruction. The assessment aligns with both the lesson goals and the broader objective of developing procedural fluency in algebraic reasoning, a critical component of NYS Standard 7.EE.4. Importantly, the focus was on student understanding of the content rather than rote performance—students needed to make sense of the structure of equations and apply logic rather than simply plug and chug. A scanned copy of the assessment has been attached.

Part II: Patterns of Learning

To analyze student learning, I compiled data from six exit tickets into a table that tracked student responses to each equation and whether they solved the problem correctly. The table revealed clear patterns across the class. Most students—five out of six—accurately solved the first equation, which required only a single inverse addition or subtraction. Three out of six solved the second problem correctly, which required inverse multiplication or division. Only one student successfully solved all three equations, and just one other student solved the final two-step equation with partial accuracy. Overall, students showed stronger performance on single-step equations but demonstrated consistent difficulty when equations required multiple steps or involved fractional coefficients.

My analysis of the data showed that students generally understood basic inverse operations when solving simpler problems. For example, most students accurately subtracted constants or divided coefficients in isolation. However, when both operations were combined—as in the final equation—errors increased. Many students reversed the correct order of operations or failed to eliminate fractional coefficients correctly. For instance, one student attempted to solve x4−3=2\frac{x}{4} - 3 = 24x​−3=2 by subtracting instead of first isolating the fraction, leading to an incorrect and illogical solution. This pattern of misunderstanding suggests that while students had procedural knowledge of basic operations, they lacked the deeper conceptual understanding necessary to sequence those steps effectively.

These struggles reflect what cognitive science refers to as a “threshold concept” in algebra: the shift from arithmetic to symbolic thinking. According to research by Carpenter and Fennema (1992), students often treat algebraic equations like puzzles to solve rather than systems to understand. In this case, they focused on moving numbers around without fully grasping the relationship between operations and variables. Therefore, the identified learning need was for students to strengthen their ability to interpret two-step equations structurally, select appropriate inverse operations, and apply them in a logical order.

Based on this analysis, my intervention will focus on helping students build conceptual understanding of how to solve two-step equations with fractional coefficients and constants. The learning objective for the intervention is as follows: Students will be able to solve two-step equations involving multiplication/division and addition/subtraction by applying inverse operations in the correct sequence and justifying each step.

Part III: Intervention Lesson

The objective of this intervention lesson is to support students in applying inverse operations to solve two-step equations accurately and to build their confidence in justifying each step of their reasoning. This lesson addresses the NYS Mathematics Standard 7.EE.4, which calls for students to construct and solve equations involving unknown quantities. The intervention will target the students who struggled on the original exit ticket—specifically four students whose errors stemmed from sequencing or misapplying inverse operations when a variable was part of a fraction.

To address this, I designed a 35-minute small-group intervention that is distinct from the original lesson. Instead of re-teaching the original mini-lecture, students will engage in active, peer-supported problem-solving using manipulatives and visual models. Materials include whiteboards, markers, algebra tiles, and a visual balance model via a Desmos simulation. The intervention begins with a short error-analysis discussion. I will present a common student error from the exit ticket and ask: “Why is this answer incorrect?” Students will work in pairs to analyze the missteps and propose corrections. This introductory activity activates prior knowledge while immediately addressing misconceptions.

The core of the lesson involves a structured sequence of new problems, solved using both visual and symbolic strategies. Students will use algebra tiles and balance diagrams to physically model each equation before solving it algebraically. For instance, to solve x3+2=5\frac{x}{3} + 2 = 53x​+2=5, students will model division of a quantity and isolate it step-by-step. During this time, I will prompt students with questions such as, “Which operation must we reverse first, and why?” and “How does the balance model show that?” These questions are intended to foster metacognition and align with best practices in conceptual math instruction (Boaler, 2016). Students will also use a sentence frame (“I started with ___ because...”) to explain their reasoning to their group, supporting mathematical discourse.

The lesson will conclude with a formative assessment using a two-question exit slip titled “Check Your Steps.” Each question requires students to solve a two-step equation and annotate their work. Students must write a one-sentence reflection explaining their solution process. This provides an opportunity to assess both procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. Additionally, I will observe and take anecdotal notes during small-group discussions to gather real-time evidence of learning.

To support diverse learners, I will provide multiple access points. English Language Learners will benefit from sentence frames, visuals, and modeling. Students with IEPs will have problems read aloud, visual steps chunked into smaller parts, and consistent feedback. Advanced learners who already demonstrated proficiency will be offered an extension activity involving equations with variables on both sides, allowing them to apply the same skills at a higher level of complexity. These adaptations are grounded in Universal Design for Learning principles and support equitable access to the intervention.

Overall, the intervention is intentionally designed to offer new opportunities for conceptual understanding, build upon student prior learning, and directly address identified areas of need. The structure, discourse, and use of visual models reflect best practices in mathematics education and are responsive to both assessment data and student context.

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7th Grade Social Studies

Multiple Perspectives on the Age of Exploration

Directions:

Read the following passages carefully. Each passage shows a different perspective on European exploration and its impact. After reading, answer the questions that follow.

Passage 1: European Explorer’s Perspective

"On October 12, 1492, we sighted land after weeks at sea. Our mission was to find new routes to Asia, but instead, we found islands full of resources and people unknown to us. We are certain this voyage will bring glory to our sovereign and spread the light of Christianity. The natives appeared friendly and curious about our technology and faith."
— Excerpt from Christopher Columbus’s journal (1492)

Source: Columbus, C. (1991). The Diario of Christopher Columbus’s First Voyage to America (1492–1493) (F. A. Gilkeson, Trans.). University of Oklahoma Press. (Original journal entries)

Passage 2: Indigenous Person’s Perspective

"When the strange ships appeared on the horizon, many were filled with fear and confusion. Soon after, sickness spread quickly among our people, and many died. The newcomers claimed our lands and brought violence. Our ways of life were threatened, and our traditions began to fade under their rule."
— Oral history from the Taino people, Caribbean Islands

Source: López, R. (2012). Voices from the Caribbean: Indigenous Oral Histories. Caribbean Studies Press.

Passage 3: Enslaved African’s Perspective

"I was taken forcibly from my home, chained, and placed on a crowded ship crossing a cruel ocean. The journey was filled with suffering, disease, and despair. Once in the New World, I was forced to labor without rest, with no hope for freedom. The explorers’ search for riches meant pain and loss for many like me."
— Testimony from Olaudah Equiano, 18th century abolitionist

Source: Equiano, O. (1789). The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. London: The Anti-Slavery Society.

Questions:

1. Identify the point of view in each passage. Write which group is speaking for each:

Passage 1: ____________

Passage 2: ____________

Passage 3: ____________

2. For each passage, list one motivation or feeling expressed by the speaker:

Passage

Motivation or Feeling

1

2

3

3. Compare the perspectives:

How does the European explorer’s view of exploration differ from the Indigenous person’s view?

How does the enslaved African’s experience add to your understanding of the Age of Exploration?

4. Use evidence:

Choose one passage and write two sentences that use details from the text to support the perspective shown.

1.

2.

5. Reflection (Writing Organization):

Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining why it is important to learn about different perspectives when studying history. Use ideas from the passages to support your answer.

Criteria

4 – Excellent

3 – Proficient

2 – Developing

1 – Beginning

Understanding Perspectives

Accurately identifies all perspectives and explains each clearly with insight.

Correctly identifies perspectives and explains them with some detail.

Identifies perspectives but explanations lack clarity or detail.

Misidentifies perspectives or explanations are incomplete/confused.

Use of Textual Evidence

Provides multiple specific examples or quotes from passages that clearly support answers.

Uses some evidence or quotes relevant to answers.

Provides limited or vague evidence; not always relevant.

Little or no evidence used to support answers.

Writing Organization & Clarity

Responses are well-organized, clear, and easy to follow with strong sentence structure.

Responses are mostly clear and organized, with minor errors.

Writing is somewhat unclear or disorganized; ideas sometimes hard to follow.

Responses are unclear, disorganized, or incomplete.

Reflection

Thoughtful paragraph explaining the importance of multiple perspectives, using ideas from texts effectively.

Clear paragraph with explanation and some references to the texts.

Reflection is brief or vague, with minimal connection to texts.

Reflection is missing, off-topic, or unclear.

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Register for Episode 6 of the Share My Lesson Welcome to Teaching Series

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Register for Episode 6 of the Share My Lesson Welcome to Teaching Series

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Register for Episode 6 of the Share My Lesson Welcome to Teaching Series. Be sure to download your certificate for your teaching portfolio

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Select one or more of the following webcasts and complete registration. Click any webcast listing to view its details.

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Handling and Making Use of Constructive Feedback

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Handling and Making Use of Constructive Feedback

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Handling Negative Feedback: How To Make Use Of Feedback As A Teacher

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Edutopia Sessions: Classroom Management for New Teachers

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Definition:
Teacher reflection is the process through which teachers think critically about their teaching practices, decisions, and impact on student learning in order to improve and grow.

Purpose:

To become more aware of your teaching style and effectiveness

To identify what works and what doesn’t in the classroom

To make data-informed and student-centered instructional decisions

To develop as a lifelong learner and professional

II. Types of Reflection

Reflection-in-ActionThinking and adjusting while teachingChanging pace when students appear confused

Reflection-on-ActionReflecting after teachingAnalyzing why a lesson failed to meet objectives

Reflection-for-ActionPlanning with reflection in mindUsing data to design better instruction next time

III. Reflective Tools & Strategies

Journals: Write brief reflections after each lesson or week. Focus on what went well, what didn’t, and what could be improved.

Lesson Debriefs: Meet with mentors or peers to discuss lesson outcomes.

Video Reflection: Record yourself teaching and review for patterns in communication, questioning, and student engagement.

Exit Tickets/Data: Use student responses to gauge understanding and inform your reflection.

Self-Assessment Checklists: Rate yourself on clarity, pacing, student engagement, and differentiation.

IV. Guiding Questions for Reflection

What were the learning objectives, and were they met?

What did students struggle with? Why?

What were the strengths of the lesson?

What changes would I make if I taught this lesson again?

How did I respond to student questions and behavior?

Was I inclusive and culturally responsive in my instruction?

Did my assessments match the goals of the lesson?

V. Reflection and the Teaching Cycle

Reflection connects to all stages of the teaching cycle:

1. Planning – Use reflection to design better lessons

2. Instruction – Adjust based on in-the-moment observations

3. Assessment – Reflect on student performance data

4. Professional Growth – Identify areas for improvement and seek PD opportunities

VI. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Being too vague-Use specific examples from your lesson or student work

Focusing only on negatives-Balance challenges with successes

Not following through-Set action steps and revisit them regularly

Ignoring student feedback-Include student voice in the reflection process

VII. Final Takeaways

Reflective teaching is not optional—it’s essential to becoming an effective educator.

It takes intentional time and practice.

Share your reflections with mentors or peers—it promotes collaboration and growth.

Reflection helps you meet the diverse needs of students and refine your teaching identity.