Standard 3 - Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning

Teachers exhibit in-depth working knowledge of subject matter, academic content standards, and curriculum frameworks. They apply knowledge of student development and proficiencies to ensure student understanding of content. They organize curriculum to facilitate students' understanding of the subject matter. Teachers utilize instructional strategies that are appropriate to the subject matter. They use and adapt resources, technologies, and standards-aligned instructional materials, including adopted materials, to make subject matter accessible to all students. They address the needs of English learners and students with special needs to provide equitable access to the content.

3.2 Applying knowledge of student development and proficiencies to ensure student understanding of subject matter

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• apply my knowledge of human development and learning theory to the unique students that I teach?
• acquire understanding of my students' individual cognitive, social, emotional and physical development?
• connect content being taught to students' prior knowledge and experiences?
• build understanding of my English learners’ levels of language acquisition to know how to best support their learning?
• build understanding of my students with special needs to know how and when to differentiate instruction?