Teachers demonstrate mastery of and pedagogical expertise in the content they teach. The elementary teacher is an expert in literacy and mathematics and is knowledgeable in all other content that he or she teaches (e.g., science, social studies, arts, physical education, or world languages). The secondary teacher has knowledge of literacy and mathematics and is an expert in his or her content endorsement area(s). 

Element A: Teacher provide instruction that is aligned with the Colorado Academic Standards and their district’s organized plan of instruction.

Evidence Outcome: plans lessons that reflect: CAS and other relevant standards

   plans lessons that reflect: relevant instructional objectives

plans lessons that reflect: the mentor teacher's instruction & curriculum

plans lessons that reflect: relevant university coursework

aligns lesson to formative an/or summative assessment results

I have never been a natural at drawing, it is something that I’ve had to practice. One of the reasons I like to assign a mixed media project to students is because the main components of this unit is flexibility and choice, which are closely connected to cultivating a student’s authentic voice. Mixed media allows students who do not have confidence in their drawing skills to express their creative mind through other forms of art media and use of materials. It also encourages self-assured students to work outside the comfort zone of their preferred art media. Working in mixed media requires planning and multi-step processes. Adding the theme of Connections enables students to interpret what connection means to them and how it can be represented visually. All of these elements are at the core of the CDE’s Visual Art Standard: Invent and Discover to Create. While exploring, planning, and artistic voice are key components of middle school grade level expectations, mixed media projects can easily be adapted to meet elementary and high school expectations.

The objective of my Mixed Media: Connections unit for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade is that students demonstrate their ability to create a multi-step, mixed media artifact using their prior knowledge of art elements and techniques. The students’ creative choices and authentic voice incorporates the theme of Connection. Students utilize critical thinking skills when analyzing peer work during gallery walk and use constructive visual language to provide feedback to peers during shout out/share out session. Students utilize literacy skills and technology to record their evidence for self reflection and assessment.