A Reflection on Undersatnding and Applying Standards

This unit is indeed one of the most practical and beneficial lessons I have ever read. All the three activities are very useful for me to create not only my lesson and unit plans but also my entire curriculum for the courses I am teaching. More importantly, they are cornerstones for me to become a very successful teacher.

Unpacking a standard

By dissecting each standard into three parts: the skill, the concept and the context, I have come to understand the 11 anchor standards for music so much clearer and can immediately outline my unit plans based on the standards with clarity. For example: what to teach? how to teach? And what context to cover? As soon as I outline my unit plans, I am able to constructively write my lessons for each unit. I can also revise and update my curriculum map in specific details. The students will benefit from a more specific curriculum and be clear of the course outline they are to study. This will eventually help students to be successful during self-directed learning.

Backwards mapping

I have in the past been writing my lesson plans using this approach that is seeing the end from the beginning. I know what I want my students to achieve from the very beginning and put in the nitty - gritty to reach that achievement. However this week's activity helped me to organize my skills far better by teaching me to come up firstly with the outcomes, then create the assessments to achieve the outcomes and lastly develop the lesson plans that are accessible for assessments. This is in fact a very systematic process for teachers to do their planning as well as students to know their ultimate goals and learning directions.

SMART goal

Writing these goals gives me a precise knowledge of 

i) what I am teaching the students 

ii) how I am assessing the students' knowledge and learning. 

iii) what the students' capabilities and limitations are.

iv) what the time frame for learning a unit should be so that no students become bored or anxious.

I have learned that in my future lesson plans, I must include this goal when developing the lesson objectives. Students will know exactly what is expected of them and how to revise and study the subject with specific directions.