Standard 4: Content Knowledge

DESCRIPTION

This artifact is a slideshow I created for my Leading Lines photography lesson during the 24-25 school year. The slides teach students how to spot and use leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye in their photos. I included step‑by‑step explanations, visual examples, guiding questions, and prompts for students to practice what they learned and demonstrate their knowledge. I created this lesson to give students a clear, hands-on way to understand a core photography concept and apply it in their own work, making the content accessible and engaging for all learners.

STANDARDS

HTSB Hawai‘i Teacher Performance Standard #4: Content Knowledge

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s). He or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

• Performances 4(a): The teacher effectively uses multiple representations and explanations that capture key ideas in the discipline, guide learners through learning progressions and promote each learner’s achievement of content standards.

• Essential Knowledge 4(j): The teacher understands major concepts, assumptions, debates, processes of inquiry, and ways of knowing that are central to the discipline(s) s/he teaches.

• Critical Dispositions 4(r): The teacher is committed to work toward each learner’s mastery of disciplinary content and skills.

justification & reflection

I chose this artifact because it shows how I turn my photography knowledge into instruction that helps students learn and apply a key compositional concept. The slides break down leading lines with examples, step-by-step guidance, and hands-on practice, which helps all students build understanding and skill.

This experience reinforced that students learn best when they can see examples, practice intentionally, and connect concepts to their own work. I also learned how important scaffolding and clear explanations are to help every student fully understand. Moving forward, I’ll continue to refine lessons using student feedback, add more examples, and provide multiple ways for students to practice so every learner can succeed in building both knowledge and skills.