• Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy

  • Understanding students’ backgrounds, skills, and needs

  • Setting instructional outcomes

  • Designing assessments

  • Planning coherent lessons and learning activities


 

If you're building a planning portfolio (often for teacher evaluation, licensure, or frameworks like the Danielson Framework for Teaching), the goal is to show how you design instruction intentionally. Artifacts should demonstrate thinking, preparation, alignment with standards, and responsiveness to student needs.

Below are strong artifacts commonly included in the Planning and Preparation (Domain 1) section.

1. Lesson Plans

Yes—lesson plans are one of the most important artifacts.

Include:

  • Detailed daily lesson plans

  • Standards alignment

  • Learning objectives

  • Instructional activities

  • Differentiation strategies

  • Assessment methods

Tip: Include 1–3 strong examples, not dozens.

2. Unit Plans

A unit plan shows your ability to think beyond a single lesson.

Include:

  • Unit overview

  • Essential questions

  • Learning goals

  • Assessment plan

  • Lesson sequence

This demonstrates coherent instruction, which is important in Domain 1.

3. Assessment Design

Show how you measure learning.

Examples:

  • Rubrics for writing assignments

  • Quizzes or tests you created

  • Performance tasks

  • Exit tickets

  • Writing prompts

Include how the assessment aligns with the objective.

4. Instructional Materials

Artifacts showing the resources you design or curate.

Examples:

  • Slides or presentations

  • Graphic organizers

  • Guided notes

  • Handouts

  • Writing scaffolds

  • Discussion prompts

These show intentional instructional design.

5. Differentiation Plans

Evidence that you plan for diverse learners.

Examples:

  • Modified assignments

  • Tiered tasks

  • Supports for multilingual learners

  • Accommodations for IEP/504 students

  • Reading level adaptations

6. Data-Informed Planning

Artifacts that show you use data to guide instruction.

Examples:

  • Pre-assessment results

  • Data analysis notes

  • Adjusted lesson plans based on student performance

7. Reflection Documents

Yes—reflections are excellent artifacts.

Examples:

  • Post-lesson reflections

  • Instructional adjustments

  • What worked / what didn't

  • Next steps for students

These demonstrate professional growth and responsiveness.