Learner Differences
InTASC Standard #2: The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
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Learners' background can be likened to fingerprints. Each learner has a completely unique story which is comprised of their culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, learning styles, exceptionalities, special needs, language abilities, and the list goes on. Education absolutely cannot be a one-size-fits-all. It is vital that teachers develop strong relationships with their students and get to know them on a deep personal level in order to meet their individual needs.
The first artifact is a Kindergarten mathematics lesson plan which I taught during student teaching. The lesson was created by taking a look at my students' pre-assessment data and adjusting accordingly to meet all learner's needs. After pre-assessing for this unit, I recognized that there was a wide range of prior knowledge of composing/decomposing numbers. Using this data, I decided to teach this unit through small math groups where students would be challenged according to their pre-existing knowledge. My highest ability group were challenged by taking away supports that the lower groups had. I also incorporated other challenging activities which involved strategies such as mental math. Through differentiated lessons, I am able to keep all my students engaged and excited about the content. My second artifact is a short paper which I wrote for my diversity class in response to watching a Spanish film. The purpose of this assignment was to have a similar experience of non-native speakers. I reflected on the confusion and frustration that I had when watching this film and attempting to comprehend the story line of the movie. Through this assignment, I gained a greater understanding of the struggles of my ELL students and what is most beneficial to convey a message through language barriers. |