Teacher lacks familiarity with the students' background interests and experiences. Teacher demonstrates some understanding of students' background experiences, interests, and needs, but does not use this knowledge in developing learning experiences. Teacher demonstrates some understanding of students' background experiences, interests, and needs, and sometimes uses this knowledge in developing learning experiences. Teacher demonstrates a thorough understanding of students' background experiences, interests, and needs, and consistently uses this knowledge in developing learning experiences. Plans lessons that integrate knowledge from several subject areas.
Teachers develop instruction to engage students and enhance learning.
When lessons integrate knowledge from several subject areas, the information presented gains a sense of cohesiveness and structure to student learning and avoids the piece-meal approach that might otherwise occur. Instruction that integrates knowledge from several subject areas may take the form of thematic units, integrated units, or interdisciplinary units. Teacher provides instruction that relates only to one subject and focuses on specific skills. Teacher maintains a discipline-centered focus and offers limited assistance in helping students make connections across disciplines. Teacher maintains a discipline-centered focus and frequently attempts to help students make connections across disciplines.