Performance indicator 5I says that,” The competent teacher uses multiple teaching strategies, including adjusted pacing and flexible grouping, to engage students in active learning opportunities that promote the development of critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and performance capabilities.”  In literature circles, small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth. The discussion is guided by students' response to what they have read. Students' can talk about events and characters in the book, the author's perspective, or personal experiences related to the story. Literature circles provide a way for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to books.  I've used literature circles in classroom novel units throughout my student teaching and have seen a lot of growth in student questioning, reflection, and leadership from them.  Using literature circles in the classroom has been a positive experience.

Creating a Self Instructed Module that I actually got to implement at West Side Christian School in Chicago, IL was an excellent learning experience.  Performance indicator 5N says that, "A competent teacher uses technology to accomplish differentiated instructional objectives that enhance learning for each student."  Self instructed modules are definitely a new way to differentiate instruction and enhance student learning.  They allow students' to independently on the computer or on paper complete a set of activities and comprehension checks.  My SIM on fractions allowed middle grades students' to learn how to add fractions with different denominators.  This activity could either enrich a gifted student in a younger grade or be substituted as a review after a unit of adding fractions at grade level.  SIM's are very useful tools for the classroom.