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.

3.4 Utilizing instructional strategies that are appropriate to the subject matter

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

• develop and use a repertoire of instructional strategies appropriate to the subject matter?
• build on students’ life experiences, prior knowledge, and interests to make subject matter relevant and meaningful to students?
• use effective instructional strategies and approaches to illustrate a concept and its
• connections within and across subject areas?
• challenge all students to think critically in the subject area?
• help all students develop enthusiasm for and a deep knowledge of the subject matter?
• use strategies that make the depth and complexity of subject matter understandable to all students?