PSII Professional Growth Plan

Name: Mary Quiring

Practicum Dates: March 3- April 17
University Consultant: Bob Miller

School: Willow Creek Composite School

Teacher Associate: Kyle Gibson

A. PSII PRACTICUM GOALS

Goal 1
I would like to incorporate more formative assessment strategies throughout my lessons,
rather than just at the end of lessons in my PSII practicum. For example, including T/F or
MC questions as PowerPoint slides in the middle of my lesson.
Rationale
In PSI I focused more on checking for understanding at the end of lessons rather than
throughout the lesson. Checking throughout the lesson could be really effective so that I
can clear up misconceptions during the lesson, rather than waiting until the end when the
students are more confused. I can then adjust accordingly while I am still teaching that
same concept. In my assessment course, my instructor said that it is important to assess
formatively in the middle of the lesson and it suddenly made so much sense to me to do
this, rather than only formatively assessing at the end of a lesson. I have discovered that
many of the group of students I will be teaching in my practicum have high behavioural
and academic needs, so I think that this goal will be crucial to work on, to help them
succeed.
Goal 2
I would like to improve my classroom management strategies for students in middle
school, ensuring that they are age appropriate. This would include relationship building
while maintaining authority, and providing clear expectations for behaviour and learning.
Rationale
I feel quite confident with classroom management in elementary school with younger
students, but I have never dealt with students in middle school so I would like to make
sure that I become confident managing a class of older students. I think that part of
classroom management can be easier in elementary as there are "cute" little fun things to
do that elementary kids love to get their attention, but I am not going to do a clapping
routine to get the attention of 14 year olds. I think it is even more important to try and
relate to students who are in middle school, but it can be that much harder to maintain
respect and authority as well. I want to make sure that my expectations of students are
very clear, so that there are little to no misunderstandings. After practicum orientation, I
know I am going to have a tough time with these students, as they have very low
behavioural skills. Classroom management is going to be even more crucial than I
initially thought going into this practicum now that I have met the students I will be
teaching. Having a solid plan will be the key to my success as a teacher with these
students.

B. STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES FOR ADDRESSING GOALS

Strategies for Addressing Goal 1
include questions after every couple of slides in PowerPoint
have students use individual whiteboards to hold up answers
Strategies for Addressing Goal 2
giving directions both orally and visually
include engaging attention grabbers and demonstrations
create an effective classroom management plan including clear expectations and
routines, in particular for behaviour
continually reinforce my expectations with the students
C. INDICATORS OF ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS
Indicators of Progress for Goal #1

Feedback from my TA
Feedback from my UC when he is observing
My own reflection during my lessons
See if student understanding improves

Indicators of Progress for Goal #2

Feedback from students

Feedback from my TA and UC
Whether or not students are engaged in lessons
If transitions are smooth

I met both of these goals by the end of this practicum. I used formative assessment
in my daily lessons and I created a positive and effective classroom management
plan for junior high.