Standard 2 - Know the content and How to teach it
2.1 - Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
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Making Crystals in Year 8 Science
Using experiments and hands-on tasks in Science at a Year 8 level is an effective way of illustrating abstract concepts. In this lesson, I used crystal making to illustrate the differences between compounds, mixtures, and pure substances.
This lesson was followed of discussion of the relevant theory. This gives student s a visual reference point while discussing theory.
Similar strategies have also been used with this class to demonstrate the differences between physical and chemical changes, and as a basis for introducing word equations.
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Research Tasks in Year 8 Science
During the Year 8 Body Systems unit one of the students' assessment tasks was to produce a summary poster of a chosen system.
I rewrote this assignment not only to make it a more comprehensive reflection of the students' knowledge, but also to include a research component to give the students a further opportunity to express their knowledge and extend the more capable students. | ||||
2.2 - Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching programs.
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Year 7 Semester 1 Science
At the start of each semester, teachers must submit a weekly plan to ensure we are all keeping pace with each other. The lesson sequence was structured to slowly build the students' knowledge and skills throughout the term. This particular weekly plan is now being used as the Faculty standard plan. |
Year 8 Semester 1 Mathematics
This particular class has a wide range of abilities, from students who need constant extension work to those who are on IEPs and modified programs. This class work best in small steps with constant repetition. I designed this lesson sequence to reflect the needs and strengths of the class. This plan is also currently used as the Faculty standard plan. |
2.3 - Design and implement learning and teaching programs using knowledge of curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements.
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Year 8 Chemistry Unit Plan
When constructing a unit plan for Year 8 Chemistry, I began with the ACARA standards and MYP Statement of Inquiry and Approaches to Learning as well as a discussion with my mentor teacher about the elements the unit should include. This discussion also ensures the unit included the required assessment pieces for the unit. |
Year 8 Chemistry Lesson Sequence
In order to ensure an effective sequence of lessons, I wrote the attached lesson sequence to supplement my unit plan. This helped me to ensure the student were being presented with enough hands-on activities, adequately space the summative tasks, and keep track of which resources I would need. |
Lesson Plans
Below are lesson plans addressing weeks 3 - 5 of the unit content.
Below are lesson plans addressing weeks 3 - 5 of the unit content.
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2.4 - Provide opportunities for students to develop understanding of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages.
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Cross-Curricular Approaches to Cultural Awareness
In alignment with the school's Reconciliation Action Plans, the school encourages cross-curricular integration of Indigenous awareness programs. A current program the school is working on in collaboration with representatives from this Indigenous community, is for the school, working along side the Indigenous community to be responsible for the care of a piece of land around Mt Lofty. This will give the students ample opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture and traditions linked to core subjects such as History, English, and Science. These cross-curricular priorities are also outlined in ACARA. References:
ACARA (2015). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. Retrieved from: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/crosscurriculumpriorities/Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-histories-and-cultures |
Research on Indigenous Cultures in Year 7 History
In Year 7 History, we introduced the students to Historical concepts and research techniques by investigating local Indigenous cultures, and the impact white settlers had on those cultures. This was particularly beneficial in allowing the students to connect less familiar cultures with a familiar setting, and learn the impacts modern life has had on these cultures.
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2.5 - Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.
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Literacy in Science
Literacy is an important aspect of Science communication. In Year 8 Science, student consolidate and increase their literacy skills through practical reports. For each practical report, in addition to analytical skills, the students are required to use "state", "describe" and "justify" linguistic skills to communicate their experimental findings and understanding of scientific theory. Literacy skills in Science also extend to research tasks where students must interpret existing texts to answer questions and extract relevant information. This information must also be transferred into the students' own words to ensure they have adequately understood the information. 
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Numeracy in Year 7 Economics
Numeracy outside of Mathematics is about understanding numbers in context. In Economics students must be able to analyse financial data and data trends. This assignment involved teaching and consolidating numeracy skills to interpret data.
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2.6 - Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.
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Kahoot in Science and Mathematics
Kahoots have been an engaging and effective means of consolidating learning and formative testing in Year 8 Mathematics and Science. I have build Kahoots to include some diagnostic tests of new topics, and then built on them to serve as informal formative tests throughout the unit. 
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Online Research Tasks in Year 7 Geography and Environmental Studies
Research tasks are beneficial in middle school as they target literacy skills, ICT skills and critical analysis. This research task allowed the students to work at their own pace, navigate online environments, and select relevant information. This task was designed to be a cross-curricular activity between Yr 7 Geography and Yr 7 Environmental Studies.
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