Standard Eight

Rationale: I have included this artifact, Marva Collins Wall Cards, under Standard Eight, Instructional Strategies, because it demonstrates my use of creative and meaningful instructional strategies to support early literacy development. Each card pairs a phonics element (letter, sound, and image) with an affirmation designed to build student confidence, persistence, and a love of learning. Standard Eight states that the teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. These wall cards reflect key values  that support rigorous thinking, perseverance, and confidence—core principles in Marva Collins’ philosophy.

1. What does this artifact represent me as a teacher?

This artifact represents my commitment to supporting early literacy development through purposeful and effective instructional strategies. The letter and sound wall cards were created to help students connect letters to their corresponding sounds using clear visuals and consistent cues. They serve as an everyday reference point for students as they develop phonemic awareness, decoding skills, and overall reading confidence.

This artifact reflects who I am as a teacher: someone who values structure, clarity, and strong foundational instruction. I believe that when students have access to tools that are visually engaging and easy to understand, they are more likely to internalize key concepts. These cards are an example of how I intentionally design materials that make learning accessible and meaningful, especially for young or emergent readers. They align with InTASC Standard 8 by showing my ability to use age-appropriate strategies that support deep understanding and long-term retention of essential literacy skills.

2. How does this artifact reflect my personal growth and strengths as a teacher? 

This artifact, the Letter and Sound Wall Cards, highlights my growth in designing purposeful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate resources for early literacy instruction. By creating these cards, I’ve become more intentional in my approach to supporting phonemic awareness and understanding that early literacy skills form the foundation for all future learning. This artifact also reflects my strengths in using visual tools that meet diverse learning needs and support students in connecting letters to sounds. It demonstrates my commitment to fostering foundational skills that will allow students to grow as confident, capable readers.

3. What skills do I want to improve in relationship to this standard? 

I want to improve my ability to differentiate phonics instruction for diverse learners, ensuring that each student receives the level of support they need to master letter-sound relationships. Additionally, I aim to incorporate more technology tools to enhance engagement and expand learning opportunities in phonics practice. Lastly, I plan to focus on developing more structured assessment methods to better track student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.