Smart Goal Update #2

Progression: The inclusion of examples of 3 &4

Example 3: My practicum class has begun reading a book called Earthquake

in the Early Morning (Magic Tree House #24). By reading this book, this has
incorporated 3 subject areas (reading, social studies, and science). There
have been great conversations about what an Earthquake is and what are
plate tectonics. This book is also set back in 1906 and the kids are learning
about what was happening in history at that time.
Example 4:
Rubric for Smart Goal:

Doesnt Meet Somewhat Meets

Expectations - 1 Meets Expectations - 3
Expectations - 2
Final Isnt complete and Portfolio is Portfolio is
Portfolio shows minimal submitted submitted and
effort. Only 1 however, not all shows 3 -4 clear
example of science parts completed thought out
and another or shown effort. examples of when
subject used in the Only 2 examples science and another
classroom. of science and subject area was
another subject used in the
used in the classroom.
classroom.
Reflection Reflection shows Reflection shows Reflection shows
minimal effort and some effort clear thought out
fails to explain the however, is vague answers and
process of meeting when explaining displays a
the goal. the process and progression over the
shows little course of the
progress over the semester. Clearly
course of the explains the process
semester and procedure of
meeting the SMART
Goal.
Organizat There is no flow There is some The portfolio is well
ion and content is flow but room for organized and all
unrelated. growth. the content flows
together as one.
Reflection
I. How did you choose what qualities to include in your rubric?
I chose to focus on the progression and completion of my SMART Goal which
is evident in the three categories of final portfolio, reflection, and
organization. I specifically wanted to focus on progression because there
were some significant changes that I had to make to my SMART goal when
first starting out because I struggled to come up with a SMART Goal that was
measureable and specific. At the beginning, it was too vague and since
then, I have been able to narrow it and focus on integrating science with
other subject areas.

ii. Why are these qualities important based on what we have studied
together about effective science instruction?
While I was creating this rubric, I was thinking on why these qualities were
important and how they aligned with what we learned about science
instruction because it allowed for self-reflection and accountability. Often
times as teachers we must see what is working and what isnt and figure
what improvements we can make in order to benefit the students. It isnt
always easy to check yourself however, it is necessary and makes you a
better teacher. This allowed me to keep myself accountable and honest
about the progress I was making this semester. By creating this rubric, it
helped me ensure that the development of my SMART goal was considered
and evaluated.

iii. Why are these qualities important based on what you have
learned throughout the semester about your goal topic?
These qualities are important it helped me focus and narrow my overall goal.
Even throughout my practicum and my other classes, I learned that its not
always about getting the right answer but about the justification and the
effort behind it. Growth is important and just as we dont want our students
to be stuck in a fixed mindset neither should teachers. We should
constantly be growing and seeking out ways to progress.

iv. Where do you think your portfolio is now based on your rubric?
Why?
I would say that there is room for growth and I should have been more
intentional while in my classroom during the few science periods to observe
when another content was taught together with science. Unfortunately, I
wasnt able to see a lot of science being taught in my practicum because this
subject alternates with social studies. In addition to that, majority of the day
was taken up by reading and math because of the upcoming testing period.
With that being said, the 4th example of integrating science with another
subject area is one that I didnt see in my practicum but after reflecting
about that day, I realized that science could have been taught in conjunction
with that social studies topic and vice versa.

v. What next steps will you take to move your portfolio to a higher
level of quality before the end of the semester?
Since we were unable to do this because we didnt do the rubric until last
class, Ill just talk about what I would do if I had time to improve my portfolio.
If I could make this portfolio a higher level of quality, I would like to
incorporate research and specific examples of when science and another
content area were taught together. I would have liked to further my SMART
goal and extend it to not only 4 examples of when science and another
content area were taught together but whole lesson plans and thoughts of
students. Would they notice they were learning in multiple subjects? I think
that could be many ways that I could further my SMART goal if I had more
time.