Alignement

Almost all states have standards that are aligned to

state benchmark testing. Which is a good practice, tests
should be aligned with standards. This is also why it is
important for teachers to align their curriculum to the
standards. Standards guide the teacher in what needs to be
taught but these standards are stated in a way that still
allows for the teacher to decide the material, the order, and
the way that it is presented to the students. Alignment
means that the teacher has made units and lesson that
accomplish requirements of the standards, and aligned these
lesson to particular class they are meant for.
Alignment to the standard requires the teacher to
interpret the standards and objectives. Does the standard
consists of analyzing content, factual content, conceptual
knowledge, or procedural knowledge? Once that has been
established the next step is to answer the question of what
is the best way to present this objective to the class? Is
there a particular teaching model that best represents the
objectives? For example,Standard N.CN.7, solve quadratic
equations with real coefficients that have complex solutions,
is asking for a demonstration of procedural information.
This type of skill is not the best match for a academic
controversy model of instruction but may fit better with
direct instruction or an other kind of activity.

Student alignment may be the most important

alignment for the teacher to consider. Each student in each
class is a very unique person that brings array of outside
experience and knowledge into the class. If a lesson does not
take the individual dynamic that build a class into account,
those students will be at a disadvantage. Things that
teachers need to take into account, is students prior
knowledge and level of understanding, what interest do they
have? And what is going on in the students community that
can be an aide in the learning? The answer to these
question will help teachers chose material that is
challenging enough to keep students engaged, but not so
hard that they give up. This alignment to students, is like a
bridge the teacher has built to the standards that will make
learning possible.