CalTPA Reflections and Advice by Alison Schwartzbaum https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c What lessons have you learned about the process of completing the CalTPA Cycle 1 that you want to be sure to apply when you approach Cycle 2 this semester? Think about what went well and what was challenging. What advice do you have for yourself and for others who are completing the CalTPA? (Note, your advice may be shared with future intern teachers) en-us 2021-01-08 21:30:49 UTC 2025-09-29 02:33:11 UTC hello@padlet.com Play to Your Strengths aschwartzbaum https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1068867033 For secondary teachers and others who teach multiple different groups of students per day, when selecting a class to teach for the CalTPA, pick your strongest class period, the one that, for whatever reason, usually goes better than other periods of the day.  ]]> 2021-01-08 21:33:44 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1068867033 Start Early! https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1076439316 Start reading through the assessment guide early so you know what to expect and can budget your time wisely. Don't wait until the last minute! 
Also, in your recordings, feature routines that you already normally do in your classroom that your students are already familiar with. Don't try something new that you haven't done before.
- Keren]]> 2021-01-11 22:20:10 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1076439316 CalTPA Lessons mmedrano110 https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1081179126 1. Record several classes over the course of a few weeks so you have options for which recordings you will submit!
2. Start early. Make copies of all the templates, read the assessment guide, know your due date, etc. Don't wait too long to start.]]> 2021-01-13 00:48:31 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1081179126 Sentence starters https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1089449478 Pull sentence starters from the exemplars. -Alyssa Baldocchi

]]> 2021-01-14 22:02:10 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1089449478 Explain Your Thinking & Reference Theory https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1093412251 I think my CAL TPA  scored could have been better if I include more explanation even more rational on why I do certain routines, teach a certain way and my process of thinking when interacting with students. 

In addition, I think my CAL TPA would have been even more strong if I referenced more texts and theories that back up my planing and decisions during class.

-Alexis ]]> 2021-01-16 05:08:15 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1093412251 Be as thorough as possible vanessaraabe https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099141388 1. Answer each part of the prompts as thoroughly as you can, even if you feel like you are repeating yourself. Pull language directly from the rubrics to use in your responses. 
2. Use the optional lesson plan templates provided for you. You may have your own lesson planning documents that you are used to using, but using the provided templates is the only way to ensure that you are giving the reviewers all the information they want. 

-Vanessa ]]> 2021-01-18 21:50:00 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099141388 Cut it up into bite-size pieces mvabrenica https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099408571 Download the Cycle 2 templates into your googledrive so that baby step is done and it's ready for you to edit. If there is a sample, download that too so you can see the kind of work you will be expected to do.

Try to follow the recommended schedule instead of doing it all last minute (each Cycle 1 template took me an hour and a half to fill out and maybe 2-3 hours to edit). So future self, be mindful of all that work and try not to suffer as much this time around.

An accountability buddy helps a lot! 

-Vic]]> 2021-01-19 01:59:27 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099408571 Deadlines! https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099518533 Put the interim deadlines in your calendar and try really really really really hard to meet them. -Tim]]> 2021-01-19 03:38:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099518533 Be as clear as possible benjamina11 https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099556877 CalTPA seems to be looking for  writers to explain their thinking thoroughly. I realized after editing and reviewing that it is important to be crystal clear, ridiculously  clear, about why you are doing certain things. 
It is also important to be clear about how the data from class informed in the moment thinking and what it means for next steps. ]]> 2021-01-19 04:09:10 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1099556877 Have an accountability buddy. jtran25 https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1103742033 Zoom hang out with folks who are one the same submission schedule and just carve out time to work on it together. Put those on a calendar because it'll be easier to hold yourself accountable if it's on your calendar. ]]> 2021-01-19 23:54:38 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1103742033 Don't Procrastinate nzimet https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1103747879 I BEGAN working on my CalTPA in a timely fashion, but as the workload of teaching caught up to me, I started to fall behind on the CalTPA. As a result, I put in several (very) long days of work towards the end of the submission deadline for the CalTPA. I recommend working on it in bite-size chunks throughout the semester. I will be working myself to realize this time-management goal  this semester, which will serve to make the deadline feel much more manageable. ]]> 2021-01-19 23:59:29 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1103747879 Time Management nlizarraga https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1103755724 Try to set goals on Google Calendar to remind you what to work on certain parts of the CALTPA. 

]]> 2021-01-20 00:05:50 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1103755724 Get Feedback darielle_vigay https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108108817 1. Practice makes better, record a couple lessons for areas you are unsure about and get feedback from your coach. This can be helpful when doing the official recording. 

2. To a technology dry run, make sure you are recording what you want the right way before the official recording days. Have a backup recording like screen cast. ]]> 2021-01-21 00:29:31 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108108817 You Will Repeat Yourself rclark65 https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108138469 In writing my responses to each of the required prompts, I often found myself saying "Wait didn't I already answer this in Part 1?" and that is OK! Thorough explanation of your teaching practice and rationale is required by the CalTPA, so explaining your justification in more than one place is completely normal and reasonable. ]]> 2021-01-21 00:49:55 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108138469 Use Exemplars https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108229348 The exemplars can serve as great sentence stems/frames when you're feeling stuck on how to write your answers - jen ko]]> 2021-01-21 01:51:10 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108229348 Do your best to follow the deadlines and definitely find a Zoom Work Time accountability partner. Shout out to Jen Ko!! : ) Alyssa C. https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108241481 2021-01-21 02:00:11 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1108241481 Read the exemplars! https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112229101 Before you even start working on your CalTPA, take a day or a few hours to read through one or two passing exemplars. It really gives you a solid understanding of what the expectations are for your work and can help cut down on the anxiety or feelings of being lost.
-Ana]]> 2021-01-21 21:48:16 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112229101 Repetition is A-OKAY https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112233140 You might feel like you're just saying the same thing over and over again, but its good to reiterate your ideas and especially your evidence that demonstrates how your meeting different criterion for the CalTPA.
-Ana]]> 2021-01-21 21:49:56 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112233140 Scheduling time for the CalTPA https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112255550 A crucial element that worked for me was scheduling time in my calendars for times I would solely focus on the CalTPA. I felt that doing this in increments helped me feel more confident in my ability to respond to all the prompts. In addition, starting with light chunks of the CalTPA helped me build to the point where I felt good spending more time on it as the weeks progressed. ]]> 2021-01-21 21:59:27 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112255550 Set aside a little time each week wschedl https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112470749 I tried to do this a little bit last semester, but I was overwhelmed with distance learning and not as forward thinking as I should have been with the amount of work that it actually took. Knowing that this round is much more intense and requires re-teaching/extension activities, I really need to plan ahead for what I will do. ]]> 2021-01-22 00:09:37 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112470749 Ask for help https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112715502 If you do not understand something, ask for help or support from colleagues who are in the same grade level and subject as you teach. In this way, they can clarify specific content about your practice and can offer more concrete feedback. -JCH]]> 2021-01-22 03:00:20 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112715502 Believe in Yourself but most importantly... https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112778273 SCHEDULE STRUCTURED TIME TO DO YOUR WORK. DON'T LEAVE YOUR LEARNING UP TO CHANCE.]]> 2021-01-22 03:51:32 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1112778273 Don't Put on a Show! https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1134806113 Do what you can, do what you know. You're more likely to do better at the thing you find easiest rather than try and impress judges who barely know your content to begin with! FINESSE IS KEY!]]> 2021-01-28 06:03:08 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1134806113 Gov. Newsom waived the requirement! https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1300909442 Due to COVID etc., Govie Gavy Newsom waived the TPA requirement for Preliminary Teacher Credentials. Both cycles of TPA are, however, still required to earn a Clear Credential. My understanding is if you don't get both cycles done while enrolled in an intern program, you can get support on either/both cycles during induction. So if you don't pass cycle 2, it's all good! Hopefully this gives you some breathing room and alleviates some stress. 
Love, Oriol]]> 2021-03-12 01:23:58 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1300909442 Take advantage of the feedback from your REACH coach and implement it https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708404884 2021-09-01 00:54:12 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708404884 You got this. https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708410168 You may feel that it is something that you can not do. But you got it. Yes you can. Do a little bit at a time and block time to revised and edit. ]]> 2021-09-01 00:56:00 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708410168 Work on it slowly so that it doesn't seem so overwhelming at the end of the year when everything is so busy. https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708410850 2021-09-01 00:56:14 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708410850 Be thorough and start early! https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708410892 Make sure to read what exactly each prompt is asking of you and answer the prompts TO COMPLETION. As others have said, if you feel like you're beating a dead horse with how much you've talked about the how and why of your methodology, that means that you're probably on the right track. Also piecemeal the CalTPA. Start EARLY, and do a little bit every week/day. Edit early and often.]]> 2021-09-01 00:56:15 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708410892 Take a day or two off to do the paperwork https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708413245 Its a lot of paperwork, so just giving yourself that time to breath and get it done was super helpful for my 1st cycle.]]> 2021-09-01 00:57:07 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708413245 Ask for time. daniimiramontes https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708414595 Ask and seek for time to work on CalTPA. I would recommend figuring out a time and sub plan where you can get away from teaching to complete the CalTPA. I did this with 3 days off from teaching. I was able to complete the first draft take a break and then come back to it at another time. It is important that your school give you time and help you find coverage in order to complete this on time. It is in the best interest of both to pass CalTPA! ]]> 2021-09-01 00:57:35 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708414595 Exemplars https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708416434 Read exemplars--concentrate on the good ones and model your answers after them. ]]> 2021-09-01 00:58:14 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708416434 READ THOSE RUBRICS https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708420879 Double read, triple read, quintuple read the rubrics. Helps you know what each point level will be and you can checklist your way to that "pass"]]> 2021-09-01 00:59:41 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708420879 Cross check with the Rubric: do you have everything to meet the requirements? https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708421384 2021-09-01 00:59:51 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708421384 Read the grading rubric before you begin writing troe13 https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708422363 Each section has a score breakdown, and it's useful to read how *exactly* how each question is being scored. ]]> 2021-09-01 01:00:12 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708422363 Word Salad https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708423872 Jargon is your friend. Hellooooo word salad. Remember that these kinds of tests are fundamentally inequitable. Pearson grades these and their assessors only have to take like 20 hours of training to be a qualified scorer. Use the jargon because that is what they care about. You just gotta get past this step. -Mignon]]> 2021-09-01 01:00:42 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1708423872 Dedicate time for this work and start early enough, so that you have enough time to dot the ''i-s'' and cut the ''t-s''. Look at the exemplars and model your work accordingly. - Richard https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1712380537 2021-09-02 09:34:06 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/1712380537 Metacognition and Theory https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/2458400402 Developing lenses to see how all students can meet at the center and how to correlate thoughts and connect them vertically ]]> 2023-01-27 01:45:57 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/2458400402 Plan miramar4800 https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/2458404145 Plan effectively and keep a good pace on turning in the work on time. Keep track of what I have completed]]> 2023-01-27 01:51:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aschwartzbaum/q68zbu4yxkccgo0c/wish/2458404145