The Application of Content standard requires teachers to understand how to create authentic and relevant learning experiences that are connected to students’ experiences and allow students to think creatively, critically, and collaboratively. The standard is important because while content knowledge is fundamental for effective pedagogy, it is equally important to convey that knowledge in a way that makes it accessible and relevant to students to ensure successful application and transfer.
My understanding of the Application of Content standard is demonstrated in my use of activities that utilize higher-level thinking. In my 3rd grade student teaching experience, I learned about the KAP (Keyword-Answer-Proof) strategy for answering reading comprehension questions. As part of our daily routine, we used this strategy to answer higher-level thinking questions about various fiction and nonfiction passages. These exercises were implemented to help prepare students for the SOLs and to strengthen their critical thinking skills. especially their ability to defend their answers with proof.
The standard is also demonstrated in my integration of authentic contexts into my instruction. As part of my 4th grade unit about the Civil War in Virginia (VS.7), I dedicated a day to the exploration of the Roanoke Valley’s role in the Civil War. In the activity, students explore various secondary sources to answer higher-level thinking questions about what they already knew about the Civil War and what they learned about the role that the Roanoke Valley played in it. I chose to include these activities in order to connect American history to the places my students have been to or lived near.
During the COVID-19 school closures, my supervising teacher and I created choice menus for the last 6 weeks of school. In addition to allowing students to pick from a variety of activities that practiced many different skills, we included multiple meaningful reading and writing applications that gave them the opportunity to apply their reading and writing skills to practical, authentic applications. For example, we asked students to write a book talk by following a template and record a video of their book talk on FlipGrid. We implemented this activity in order to give students the opportunity to practice summarizing, opinion writing, and oral communication.