1. How to Teach TEXAS Style
Instructional Practice in Education and Training
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2. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
also referred to as TEKS
official K-12 curriculum for the state of Texas
details the curriculum requirements for every course
Since the students have this in their hands already, begin here. Explain what the TEKS are, why we have them, etc. Ask the students what they think would happen if teachers were given free reign to teach whatever they wanted. Tell them to imagine they were the teacher. What would they focus on teaching? Listen to some examples. Okay, now what would happen to the TAKS (STAAR) results or SAT scores? Do they think the TEKS are important and necessary? Discuss openly.
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Where are they located?
On the left, click Curriculum
On the left, scroll down then click Curriculum Standards/TEKS
Then click TEKS by Grade Level
They will need to know how to access these on their own in the near future. They will need this not only when they become teachers themselves but also when they begin making lessons for their elementary classroom.
Allow time for students to peruse this website and get familiar with it. If you’re doing this on an overhead, let them guide you to where to click.
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Other Important Terms
Curriculum- what is being taught, content, a course of studies
Objectives- what it you want the students to accomplish after this lesson, the “point” of the lesson
What’s the difference between long and short term?
Break the definitions down so that the students understand in their terms. On their notecards, have them write examples of curriculum.
For objectives, after discussing the meaning, give a couple of examples of TEKS in objective form. When they seem to understand have students identify three of the TEKS that interest them. Then, on a piece of paper have them write those out as objectives.
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Translate
(8)  The student uses algebraic and geometric models to describe situations and solve problems. The student is expected to:
(C)  use direct and inverse variation to describe physical laws such as Hook's, Newton's, and Boyle's laws.
Use this example to explain the importance of being knowledgeable within your subject area. Explain that as a teacher, it is LAW that you must teach all of the standards so what happens if you can’t do this? As an elementary teacher, you don’t have one subject area so it’s even more important to pay attention in ALL classes NOW. What would happen if you were assigned a subject area that you didn’t understand? Would you be an effective teacher?
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3 minute stretch break
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Assignment
Develop a lesson using approved curriculum. Include the TEKS and objectives.
Make sure it is engaging.
This is just to grab their attention and help them understand why this lesson is important. Do they feel nervous right now? What are they thinking? For the rest of the semester, they will be required to write lesson plans that meet certain criteria. They will continue doing this throughout their teaching career. The information included in this lesson will prepare them for that.
Personal backstory: I was never taught how to write a lesson. I had to figure it out on my own when I was student teaching and it was very difficult. I didn’t know what to include or how detailed to make my lessons. I share this with my students to help them understand how scary that was and to hopefully encourage them to pay more attention during this lesson.
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Important Terms
Engagement­- when students are actively involved
Direct Instruction
Modeling
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Cooperative Learning
Problem Based Learning
Use these to allow students to complete the front of the notecards prior to discussing definitions. I go ahead and explain engagement because it doesn’t fit in with the others very well. I’ll also refer back to this if a student appears to be daydreaming. (Ex: Sam, are you engaged right now? Give me an example of what we just discussed.)
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Direct Instruction - students practice a new skill with teacher nearby to provide immediate feedback
Modeling - the instructor physically shows the student/ class how something works
Guided Practice - student-centered strategy in which student identify a problem and work collaboratively to solve it
Independent Practice - activity in which students practice a new skill or utilize new knowledge on their own
Cooperative Learning - activities in which students are grouped and collaborate to complete tasks or projects
Problem Based Learning - highly structured lesson in which most of the information is being given from the teacher to the student
You’ll need to be familiar with these or refer back to the lesson plan for matches.
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Independent Practice
Write a brief description of each lesson.
Locate the TEKS for each class and write down which ones were covered.
Using the terms your learned today, write down the type of instruction that was used.
Write down why the lessons were effective or make suggestions for improvement.
Be prepared to share your findings.
Instruct students to do the following for each of their classes. Offer the use of your class computers or other alternatives to locate the TEKS to their courses.
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Before you leave…
Complete the following sentences on an index card:
Today, I learned ____.
I will use this in my life by/because___.
I am still curious about ____.
Place this on top of your other cards, rubber band together and submit.
Provide each student with an index card.
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