Student Teaching/Evidence of Growth
Finding Inspiration in every Lesson
I incorporated these lessons to build collaboration and engagement through hands-on and discussion-based activities. One activity encouraged students to explore identity by sharing ideas, experiences, and perspectives, creating an open environment where students learned from each other and felt a stronger sense of belonging.
Our Story
I developed these artifacts during student teaching to promote engagement through hands-on learning, collaboration, and structured activities. They supported student understanding, participation, and a positive classroom environment. In the future, I will refine and expand these strategies to strengthen lesson planning, increase student interaction, and create more meaningful, inclusive learning experiences that connect content to students’ identities and real-world applications.
Artifacts
Artifact 1: Reaction Lab
Artifact 2: Periodic Atictivity
Artifact 3: Knowledge Circle Acitivity
Artifact 1: Endothermic vs. Exothermic Reactions Lab
Description:
This inquiry-based lab allowed students to explore endothermic and exothermic reactions through hands-on experiments using vinegar and baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide with iron filings. Students collected temperature data, graphed results, and analyzed patterns to determine how energy is absorbed or released during chemical reactions.
Reflection:
This artifact highlights my ability to design engaging, student-centered lessons that promote critical thinking and data analysis. I learned the importance of clear instructions, pacing, and supporting students during data collection and graphing. Student engagement was high, reinforcing the value of hands-on learning. Moving forward, I will incorporate more scaffolding and guided reflection to better support student understanding and connect observations to key concepts.
Artifact 2: Periodic Table Student Engagement Activity
Description:
Students worked collaboratively to label and color-code regions of the periodic table, including groups, periods, and element families, to identify patterns and relationships.
Reflection:
This activity highlights my ability to create interactive, collaborative learning experiences. I learned that students engage more when working hands-on and visually. Moving forward, I will continue using these strategies while improving clarity and structure to support all learners.
Artifact 3: Community Knowledge Circle
Description:
This classroom strategy centers on building a positive and inclusive learning environment through a “Community Knowledge Circle” display. It includes student voice (anonymous quotes), visuals from hands-on learning, and cultural elements, all centered around the message: “We learn from each other.”
Reflection:
This artifact reflects my commitment to creating a classroom grounded in respect, connection, and cultural awareness. I learned the importance of clear expectations, consistency, and valuing student voice. This strategy supports both structure and meaningful interaction, helping students feel a sense of belonging. Moving forward, I will continue developing classroom practices that balance community, identity, and engagement.