Professional Growth Plan 2016 (Jan-April)

Name: Ria Beekman

GOAL #1:
Teaching Quality Standard: Teachers know there are many approaches to
teaching and learning
PS3 Goal: To effectively differentiate lessons and make accommodations for the
needs of my students so that all students will receive the opportunity to progress in
their education.
Strengths in this area:
1.

I am able to scaffold lessons where I start simple and build up from there to
challenge students appropriately. By being able to do this I can teach
students starting at various levels.
2. I am creative and like to use different resources and various teaching
strategies to meet the needs of the diverse learners.
3. I have learned about many different teaching strategies and learning styles
during previous professional semesters. I will be able to use this knowledge to
guide my teaching.
Challenges in this area:
1. I find it difficult to be able to divide my time appropriately so that I am
benefitting all students fairly those who learn well and those who struggle
(especially when the learning needs are very diverse).
2. At times, I struggle with providing effective extension activities for the
students who can learn well and finish early.
As a result of your professional growth, what will your students be able to
do?
1. Students will be more engaged and willing to learn if I use various teaching
strategies that work for them.
2. Students will feel like they are able to learn if I differentiate lessons and
activities according to their needs. By differentiating my lessons and
activities, all students will be able to feel like they can learn.
Connection to Internship Context:
1. My classes contain students from various different backgrounds and at very
different academic levels. Also, since some students lack sufficient
attendance we need to be able to teach towards students who are always
there and students who miss several lessons per week.

What specific new learning will you need to build your capacity in this
area?
1. I will need to continuously learn more about instructional strategies and
differentiated activities. I will need to understand how to implement each of
these effectively.
2. I will need to continue to build my knowledge on how to use a Smart Board
and how to make meaningful lessons/activities in the Smart Note Book
(especially since this is my only whiteboard/writing space).

ACTION PLAN
Strategies/A
ctivities
(incl.
conducting
research)
Build
positive
relationship
s with my
students so
that they are
willing to
participate
(first step to
effective
differentiation
of lessons)

Closely
observe
students and
their work
and ask for
feedback
(through exit
slips,
conversations
, thumbs upthumbs down,
etc). Ask
students
about their
learning

Target Date

As soon as
possible
starting with
the first day of
practicum (Eg.
know students
names, find out
things about
them
interests,
hobbies, likes,
dislikes, etc, be
kind and show
that I care)
Ongoing
Ask for
feedback on a
lesson/my
teaching once a
week
Take notes on
how students
are doing in
class and
whether they
seem to enjoy
the lesson

Resources
Needed
(People,
Courses,
Books, Etc.)
Students (Have
them fill out an
All about me
sheet, play
games where its
necessary to
know their
names,
icebreakers, etc)
Set clear
expectations

Student
feedback

Activities Ive
implemented/Things Ive done
during practicum

-Ive made sufficient effort to

talk to each student and
inquire about their interests
throughout my practicum. Id
take a few minutes before the
bell to approach students and
ask about their weekend or
just simply to listen to a joke
that they wanted to tell me.
-I made sure to tell students
that I was there to help them
in their studies and that they
could come to me with any
questions they had.
-Ive continuously asked
students whether or not they
understand the concepts that
have just been explained. If
students show that they are
not too confident in the
material Id review another
question with them or Id try
to re-explain it in different
terms.
-Ive used exit slips and mini
quizzes as a way to check in
with individual students. Id
then take aside the students
who didnt do so well and

experience
and whether
they liked the
lesson.
Change up
my lessons!
Incorporate
activities and
various ways
of teaching
the material

Ongoing within
each unit
First unit on
Fractions, Ratio
and Percent
completed

Pinterest for
interesting
activities and a
different way of
representing the
material
Learn Alberta
Smart Note Book
Smart Exchange

review it with them.

-Ive used the thumbs up
thumbs down technique as a
general overview of where the
class is at.
-My students love Math Spy
Guys and so when an
appropriate interactive video
is available I make sure I use
it. Ive also shown various
youtube videos relating to the
curriculum. Students really
enjoy the visual and audio.
-Ive taken sorting and
matching games into the
classroom. Ive done a
jeopardy review which
students really enjoy because
they had to compete with their
peers.
-Ive also taken several lessons
off of smart exchange so that
students would have to come
up to the board and answer a
question.
-Mini whiteboards were also
incorporated into the lessons
as students enjoy using them.
-Ive also started putting math
related jokes/riddles on the
board as students come in.
They LOVE this! They will try
to figure it out and make sure
to let me know if they know
the answer.
-Ive incorporated (and
adjusted accordingly) various
teaching strategies to engage
my students!

Guided
math
sessions
set up
stations
where
students work
in
groups/individ
ually and
where the
teacher works
with a specific
group of
students who
need more
time with a
certain
concept

Ongoing
throughout
each unit after
the material
has been
taught then
students will all
work on
questions but
the amounts of
questions vary
and the way
that they work
on questions
will vary

Students
workbook
Need various
activities when
students work in
stations
Bringing Math
Alive resources

-While students worked

individually or in pairs Id
checked in with them to see
how they were doing. I went to
the students who I knew
needed assistance or an extra
review first to get them
started and then I made sure
that the other students were
on the right path as well. At
times I would group students
with varying ability levels in
one group so that students
could learn from each other.
Other times Id group similar
ability levels together so that I
could work with several of the
weaker students (or students
who are absent a lot) in one
sitting.
-Ive also cut down the amount
of work for students who take
longer to complete a question
so that their workload doesnt
seem too overwhelming.
-Ive also been available for
extra math help throughout
lunch times and after schools.
I always make sure that I offer
these to everyone and some
students really appreciate the
extra help!

Evidence of Success:
-

Students are more engaged and interested in learning and participating.

Students are also not afraid to ask any questions that they may have since
they know that I am there to help them.
Student achievement is improving. This can be seen in summative testing
scores and formative assessments throughout the units. Some of my students
have definitely improved their focus in class and as a result their test marks
have increased significantly. By making the lessons more engaging, students
tend to become more focussed and hold on to more of the information being
taught.

Ask for student feedback and ask them to explain whether or not the
differentiated lessons benefitted them. Ive cut down the amount of work for
several students as it takes them longer to do and they really appreciate this
because their workload doesnt seem too overwhelming.
Student help session after school definitely helps! One of my boys didnt
know a whole lot about polygons before our half hour session where we
quizzed each other and where he learned all of the different names. He
doesnt enjoy much writing but he actually really enjoyed this auditory
review.
I believe that differentiating lessons is something that is ongoing and the
amount that is differentiated totally depends on who the students are. During
the four months that Ive been at Wilson Ive tried many different things and I
hope to continue to differentiate for any students I will have in the future!

GOAL #2:
Teaching Quality Standard: Teachers create and maintain environments that are
conducive to student learning.
PS3 Goal: Set clear classroom rules and expectations and maintain them
throughout the practicum while keeping the classroom environment positive and
maintaining positive relationships with students
Strengths in this area:
1. I truly care about students and so its easy for me to smile, say something
positive and greet students throughout the day. I have always had positive
relationships with my students in previous practicums.
2. I am willing to go the extra mile to help students with their work and
accommodate for the individual. I can do so without making them feel bad
about themselves when they ask for help.
3. I can set clear and concise classroom expectations for my students that I
know will benefit everyone.
Challenges in this area:
1. I need to be firm at all times (regarding classroom rules) and make the
students realize that the set expectations are to be taken seriously and if not
there will be consequences.
2. Its also difficult to teach in another teachers classroom (especially when
coming in half way through the year) because students really think of their
homeroom teacher as their only teacher and anyone else that comes in is
only a substitute.

As a result of your professional growth, what will your students be able to

do?
1. As a result of a positive classroom environment, students will be more
engaged in the lessons presented and so will achieve more in school.
2. By setting clear expectations at the start of practicum my students will know
what is expected of them concerning behaviour and work habits. Students
will also know that they deserve certain consequences if they do not follow
these rules.
What specific new learning will you need to build your capacity in this
area?
1. I will need to find effective ways to manage the class.
2. I will need to understand and implement various different learning activities
in my lessons that interest students. When students are engaged in the
lesson there will be fewer behaviour problems.
3. I will need to create differentiated activities for students so that students will
receive the challenge that they need so that they dont end up being bored or
overwhelmed.

ACTION PLAN
Strategies
/Activities
(incl.
conductin
g
research)
Build
positive
relationsh
ips with
my
students so
that they
are willing
to
participate

Target Date

Resources
Needed
(People,
Courses,
Books, Etc.)

Activities Ive implemented/Things Ive

done during practicum

As soon as
possible
starting with
the first day
of practicum
(Eg. know
students
names, find
out things
about them
interests,
hobbies,
likes,
dislikes, etc,
be kind and
show that I
care)

Students
(Have them
fill out an All
about me
sheet, play
games
where its
necessary to
know their
names,
icebreakers,
etc)

-Students filled out a sheet about

themselves (which Ive referred back to
several times to check in with their
interests). Ive had students show me
videos of their skateboard adventures
and before a holiday Id have students
share their plans which they love to
do even at a grade 6 level! Once I find
out a students hobby I make sure to
ask about it often when relevant.
-At the start of any new class I teach I
have students say their name and a
quick/interesting fact about
themselves. Then I make sure that I
know their names ASAP and if I dont by
the next class Ill go through their
names again and make it a game to

Set clear
expectation
s (ask for
student
input and
reasons
why I might
set these
expectation
s)
Revisit
these
expectation
s whenever
necessary

By the first
day/week

Smart
board/poster

see how many I can list without their

help.
-I knew the students names within the
first few days of practicum. Some
students were surprised at how I knew
their names so fast!
- Have fun with students! Laugh at their
jokes and make them happy! Along
with that comes the part where
students need to realize that theres a
time to share stories and such but they
also need to know when its time for
work.
-I started by asking students what rules
they thought we should have to give
them ownership of their classroom and
their behavior in the long run. Based on
those I set three simple and clear
expectations at the start of practicum:
1. Show Respect, 2. Pay attention and
listen to others, 3. Do your best! I
explained these very clearly at the start
and had students give me examples of
what each of them mean. They knew!
-I revisited these expectations
whenever it was necessary and
students needed a reminder of what
was expected in my class. One of my
students was not a fan of math I told
him that that could happen but that by
saying that you dont like math and
that you always get something wrong
you are not doing your best. I am here
to answer questions but if you are not
going to try itll be very difficult for me
to help you. I havent heard a lot of
complaining since!
-Ive also started a points system in the
class where I would give students
points if they were following the rules
and participating and else I would get
the points. If they receive more points
than the teacher wed celebrate! About
halfway through my practicum I

Incorporate
interesting
activities
throughout
the lessons
so that
students
are more
engaged
and
interested
in learning

Ongoing
throughout
practicum

Activities
from Learn
Alberta,
Lesson Plan
Database,
Pinterest, or
ideas from
self etc
Learning
games

decided to have my students take more

ownership of their actions and so Id
have one student be the points judge
each day this was awesome to watch!
Students were honest and even the
noisier students were telling others to
quiet down.
-If students decided to continue to
talk/disrupt the class they know that
their name will go up on the board and
that they will likely have to spend some
of recess working on work that should
have been completed in class. I do
allow them to work their name off of
the board if they try their best and work
hard.
-Again, I incorporated various
interesting activities to keep the
students engaged so that there
wouldnt be a lot of classroom
management issues. Jeopardy and
Around the World with shapes was a
definite hit with the students.
-Math Spy Guys and Smart Exchange
have a lot of fun, engaging and
interactive activities that Ive used
throughout the practicum.
-Numeracy is a game-based course
where students learn through board
and computer games. There are a few
necessary review lessons but then
students are on their own to
review/sharpen their numeracy skills
with assistance if needed.

Evidence of Success:
-

Students are more engaged and interested in learning and participating.

Students respond to my attention getting signals more quickly and willingly.
Students seem to look forward to class/students feel like they can ask any
kind of question.
Students always want to see math related jokes on the board when they
come in. If there is not a riddle/joke related to the current math topic on the
board students make sure to tell me that they miss it!

Points System: Students became more aware of their actions. Students who
were usually talkative and distractive were quieting down and were telling
their peers to be quiet and listen so that we could get some points. Students
really want to win and do their best but they also know that if their points
dont go up that they havent deserved the reward.
Building Relationships: Students can really sense it when someone is
taking time for them and showing that they care. Now that weve built those
relationships we can have fun with the students and the classroom
environment becomes more fun and relaxing but still organized. Some
students will even come into the class after school just to chat about random
topics because they know that I care about them and that Im willing to listen.
Ive had a student come up and say that I was her BFT: Best Friend Teacher!

GOAL #3:
Teaching Quality Standard: Teachers establish and maintain partnerships among
school, home and community, and within their own schools
PS3 Goal: To effectively communicate with the parents or guardians of the children
I teach. I want to involve the parents in their childs schooling.
Strengths in this area:
1. I am willing to meet new people and make accommodations to my teaching if
parents would come to me with concerns about their child.
Challenges in this area:
1. I find that I often get very focused on the things that happen at school and
dont often make the time to send home a positive note about the student.
As a result of your professional growth, what will your students be able to
do?
1. The parents or guardians of my students will be more involved in what their
child does at school. Research has shown that if parents are more involved or
interested in their childs learning, their child will do better at school.
2. We always seem to focus on the concerns that we have but if we would send
home positive notes as well then the childs parents will be more likely to
value education and feel a sense of satisfaction for the school that their child
goes to.
What specific new learning will you need to build your capacity in this
area?

1. I will need to find effective ways to communicate with the parents and
guardians of my students (either through email, a letter, a text message, a
phone call, etc).
2. I will need to know how to update the weebly website so that I can keep the
parents up to date on our daily occurrences.

ACTION PLAN
Strategies/Acti
vities (incl.
conducting
research)

Target Date

Build positive
relationships
with my
students and
their
parents/guardia
ns
Send home an
introductory
letter
Phone home
when
necessary

As soon as
possible
starting with
the first day of
practicum
The letter will
be sent home
with the
students (and
emailed) on
the first day

Sending home
positive notes
via
email/notecards!

Throughout
the practicum
- ongoing

Resources
Needed
(People,
Courses,
Books, Etc.)
A letter
introducing
myself
Emails and
phone numbers
of parents

Notecards
Email/phone
Notes taken
throughout/afte

Activities Ive
implemented/Things Ive done
during practicum

-Again Ive built positive

relationships with my students
as a way to start connecting
with the parents. If parents
hear positive things from their
child they will likely be more
willing to communicate in a
positive way.
-Ive sent home a letter to
introduce myself and that told
the parents that Id be
teaching their child for the
coming 4 months. I also
explicitly stated that I was
there to help their child learn
and that Id be willing to
answer any questions that
they would have throughout
my stay at the school. I made
sure to tell the parents that
they could contact me at any
time if they had any
comments or concerns. I also
emailed this letter home so
that if the printed letter failed
to reach the parents, hopefully
the online version would.
-Throughout my practicum Ive
called home to check in with
the parents and to see what
their child is saying about the

r class about a
childs behavior

Weebly website
showing the
concepts we
cover in math
each day/week

Weekly
updates

Weebly
Daily lesson
plans

classes I teach and about

school in general. Some phone
calls were short as the student
was doing really well but the
parent that I talked to still
thanked me for calling and
showed their appreciation.
Other calls were longer as
wed plan together to help the
student who is struggling.
-I also wrote the report card
comments for all of the
students I taught since
January. I made sure that Id
find something positive to say
about each student and then
Id follow up with a suggestion
for improvement. Each
students has something good
in them but it might not
always show up at school and
so its always good for parents
to hear the positives.
-Each week Id update the
grade 6 classs weebly
webpage with the schedule of
the week and the approximate
pages wed cover in their
workbooks. The workbooks,
assignments and any extra
notes pages would also be
uploaded to the site so that
parents could access these at
home.
-I also added my photo and
introduction paragraph to the
homepage of the site so that
parents could again know who
I am.

Evidence of Success:
-

Students are more engaged and interested in learning and participating.

Student achievement in improved. This can be seen in summative testing

scores and formative assessments throughout the units. By calling the home
of one of my grade 6 girls I had her come to me for a rewrite for a certain
math test. She said that since I called home she had to do this rewrite and so
I told her that I give everyone the option to do it and maybe it is a good idea
for her to rewrite her test. In the end she did realize that the review and
rewrite might have some use.
Parents are willing to come to me with questions or concerns. Ive had a few
emails from parents to discuss their child and to share what their child is
telling them so that we could accommodate for the child. For one of my grade
6 boys we are currently having a Monday after school help session where he
receives extra help in any of the core subjects that he needs assistance in
especially in math.
Weebly: Parents appreciate the updates on weebly. One of the girls has a
math tutor come in to help her with her math every so often and so the girls
dad said that its very helpful to know what pages are to be covered in the
following few days.