Standard+6

**Teachers communicate well.** The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
 * Standard 6**

Evidence 1:

Rationale 1: This succinct slide show illustrates my understanding that students need to be presented information in a variety of media to truly imbibe the content. Non-linguistic representation is a collection of alternatives teachers can use to reach students. It includes both the teaching methods and the means with which students display their knowledge and skills.

**KSD**

 **6.K.3 The teacher understands the importance of nonverbal as well as verbal communication.** Again, this applies to both the method in which teachers convey messages to students and the way that students share with each other and display their understanding. Of course, students need to be given options for the best learning mode they have to share their thinking. In some cases, this means writing their thoughts with paper and pencil because that works for the day. From my experience, when students are given novel ways to communicate, they tend to personalize their work more so than with more traditional modes of assessment.

 **6.S.2 The teacher supports and expands learner expression in speaking, writing, and other media.** When students dislike the chore of writing, giving them alternatives has a number of benefits. When the time comes to critique the work and offer revision ideas, students don't have to restart the entire work again. The ability to modify just the portions that need improvement saves time and frustration.

 **6.D.2 The teacher values many ways in which people seek to communicate and encourages many modes of communication in the classroom.** In my social skills class, my students have a variety of communication needs. As evidenced in this slide show, I use humor in the classroom as often as possible. I believe students need to see that teachers are human beings and not talking heads at the front of the class. Even in a non-personal format such as a slide show presentation or written letter, I use humor to show them how it enhances the message and engages the listener or reader.