SEC 507: Advanced Theory and Practice in Secondary Education

Course Assignments

The list below covers every graded assignment in SEC 507, organized by module. Point values are firm. Due dates are listed where the term schedule is finalized; remaining dates show as TBD until the semester opens. Each assignment row also lists the course-level objectives it addresses, since the assignments and the CLOs map to each other on a one-to-many basis.

VoiceThread discussions appear in their own section after the five module blocks. The Course Orientation Scavenger Hunt sits in the Start Here section of the course rather than inside a module, but it counts toward the final grade.

1,460 pts
Total course points
14
Graded assignments
8
VoiceThread discussions
5
Modules
A note on dates

Assignment due dates are confirmed against the official UNCW academic calendar before each module opens. Until the calendar is finalized for Fall 2026, dates appear as TBD. You can watch the Canvas Announcements feed for updates.

How to submit

Each row below has a Submit → button in the Canvas column. Click the button to open the assignment in Canvas in a new tab. Until Dr. Gill wires the Canvas URLs into the page, the buttons display in a dashed grey state and do not navigate. The list of placeholder slugs and the steps to swap them in live at _reference/CANVAS_LINKS.md.

Module 1: The Classroom and You


Module ONE: The Classroom and You

Weeks 1–2 • 250 points
Assignment Points Due CLOs Canvas
Classroom Rules Project Develop a set of classroom rules with a written rationale grounded in the management theories from Marzano and Seifert. 100 TBD CLO 1CLO 6 Submit →
Classroom Layout Project Design a physical classroom layout with a justification connecting the layout to instructional goals and management priorities. 100 TBD CLO 6 Submit →
Interdisciplinary Activity Plan a single classroom activity that draws on at least two academic disciplines and articulate the cross-curricular connections involved. 50 TBD CLO 1CLO 8 Submit →

Module 2: Planning Instruction


Module TWO: Planning Instruction

Weeks 3–4 • 325 points
Assignment Points Due CLOs Canvas
Standards and Objectives Unpack a content-area standard through Bloom's taxonomy, design an aligned activity, write performance objectives, and create one assessment item. 100 TBD CLO 1CLO 2CLO 3 Submit →
Model Match Analysis Identify Marzano's instructional models in published lesson excerpts and cite textual evidence for each match. 75 TBD CLO 1CLO 7 Submit →
Canva Anchor Chart Build a visual anchor chart for a key concept in your content area, paired with a written rationale for your design choices. 50 TBD CLO 1CLO 5 Submit →
Lesson Plan Assignment Write a complete lesson plan covering objectives, activities, materials, assessments, and accommodations using the SEC 507 template. 100 TBD CLO 1CLO 2CLO 3CLO 6 Submit →

Module 3: Assessment


Module THREE: Assessment

Weeks 5–6 • 275 points
Assignment Points Due CLOs Canvas
Assessment Plan Develop an assessment plan for a unit you are teaching, including formative checks, summative tasks, and a grading rationale. 100 TBD CLO 3CLO 4 Submit →
Questioning Strategy Blueprint Build a questioning sequence covering question types, cognitive levels, wait time, and techniques for reaching every student in the room. 75 TBD CLO 1CLO 3CLO 6 Submit →
Summative Assessment Design Design a full summative assessment for your content area and write a reflective analysis of the design choices behind it. 100 TBD CLO 3CLO 4CLO 5 Submit →

Module 4: Student Diversity & Special Needs


Module FOUR: Student Diversity & Special Needs

Weeks 7–8 • 400 points
Assignment Points Due CLOs Canvas
Brown Bag Exam A take-home applied exam covering development, diversity, motivation, and exceptionalities. Open notes, written under exam protocols. 200 TBD CLO 4CLO 5CLO 6CLO 7 Submit →
Family and Community Involvement Plan Design a plan for engaging families and community members in support of student learning in your classroom and school. 100 TBD CLO 5CLO 6 Submit →
Analyzing Student Diversity Analyze the developmental, cultural, and linguistic diversity in your current classroom and articulate instructional implications. 100 TBD CLO 5CLO 7 Submit →

Module 5: Subject-Area Unit Plan (Capstone)


Module FIVE: Subject-Area Unit Plans

Weeks 9–16 • 100 points (capstone)
Assignment Points Due CLOs Canvas
Thematic Unit Plan (English / Social Studies / Science / Math) Design a multi-week thematic unit plan in your content area, including a rationale, daily lesson plans with measurable objectives, differentiated activities, evaluation rubrics, and a family newsletter. The Math pathway is in development; English, Social Studies, and Science pathways open in Module 5. 100 TBD CLO 1CLO 2CLO 3CLO 5CLO 8 Submit →

VoiceThread Discussions


VoiceThread discussions run across the semester. Each prompt asks for a 2–3 minute audio or video response from you, plus reply comments to at least two peers. The discussions are not awarded points individually; participation across the eight discussions counts toward a single course-participation grade reflected in the final gradebook.

VoiceThread Discussions (across all modules)

8 discussions • participation grade
Discussion Module Focus CLOs Canvas
VoiceThread: Introductions Module 1, Week 1 Cohort introductions and one professional goal for the semester. CLO 6CLO 7 Submit →
VoiceThread: Week 1 Module 1, Week 1 First-week reflections on the teaching profession and the learning process. CLO 6CLO 7 Submit →
VoiceThread: Classroom Management Module 1, Week 2 Discussion of classroom management decisions and the management theories behind them. CLO 1CLO 6 Submit →
VoiceThread: Week 5 (Planning) Module 2, Week 4 Reflection on the lesson plan you submitted and the strategies you chose. CLO 1 Submit →
VoiceThread: Week 5 (Assessment) Module 3, Week 5 Discussion of teacher-made assessment design and the role of formative assessment. CLO 3 Submit →
VoiceThread: Week 6 Module 3, Week 6 Standardized assessment interpretation and grading systems. CLO 3CLO 4 Submit →
VoiceThread: Week 7 Module 4, Week 7 Adolescent development and student diversity in the classrooms you teach in now. CLO 5CLO 6 Submit →
VoiceThread: Week 8 Module 4, Week 8 Cross-curricular connections and the start of the Module 5 capstone. CLO 5CLO 8 Submit →

Orientation


Course Orientation

Start Here • Week 1
Assignment Points Due CLOs Canvas
Course Orientation Scavenger Hunt A ten-question auto-graded quiz that walks you through the syllabus, policies, tech support, and module overviews. Two attempts; completion credit. 10 End of Week 1 Orientation Submit →