Intentional Classroom Planning: A Survey of Theory and Application

3 units

Dynamic classrooms that provide individualized support and authentic opportunities to engage in rigorous content require a teacher to intentionally plan for all aspects of the classroom, whether for classroom community, student investment, family involvement, or high-quality lessons. In this survey course, we strive to address the problem of enactment by combining theories of education, teaching, and learning alongside or in partnership with the application of such theories to the classroom. For each of the topics addressed, students will first seek to understand the educational, socio-political, and psychological evidence informing teachers and instructional strategies. Then, students will be asked to use these theories to inform applied intentional planning outputs for use in their classrooms. Topics covered will include goal-setting and progress monitoring, student motivation and investment, family and community engagement, classroom community and culture, backwards planning, and using data strategically to support and differentiate instruction. Students must have instructor approval to register.