Every person has different strengths and different ways of learning. The purpose of this assignment is to help you and your teacher understand how you learn better so that your teacher can teach more effectively and you can learn more effectively. Links to internet sites below can also be found on the class website – http://sites.google.com/site/bblanguagearts/
Starters (Required):
Discuss this assignment with your parents/guardians, a teacher, or any adult who knows you well. Ask them to help you brainstorm times in your past when you've struggled and succeeded academically. You also should ask for some their insights to some of the questions in the Main Course below. Talking with them might help you start thinking about how you'll answer those questions.
Soup (choose at least one): It's a good idea to read some of the information on the sites along with the test because it may help you answer some of the questions in the Main Course below. Make sure you print the results to your test to turn in with your reflection
Salad (choose at least one): It's a good idea to read some of the information on the sites along with the test because it may help you answer some of the questions in the Main Course below. Make sure you print the results to your test to turn in with your reflection
Main Course (Complete all):
Write a personal reflection that answers all of the following questions: (see Mr. B's personal reflection)
What kind of student do you think you are (poor, fair, average, great)? Why do you believe this? What kind of student do you want to be? Does your confidence differ depending on the subject or teacher? What specific things about that class make a difference for you personally?
Identify at least three attainable goals you have for this semester in language arts. What do you need to do to meet them? How will you know when you've met them?
Look over the Multiple Intelligences test (Soup) and the Modality Strengths test (Salad) you completed. Do your strong learning styles remind you of a time you were successful in school? When? Do your weaker learning styles remind you of a time you struggled? (Need some help with this question? It might help if you read this.)
This question is in three parts, but the three pieces might closely relate to each other. Don't feel like you have to repeat something you've already said. Reflect on and write about a time in school (a year, a unit, a particular assignment, a class):
When you didn't do well. How did you know you didn't do well? What made it difficult? Go into as much depth as possible.
When you really succeeded. How did you know you did well? What made it possible? Go into as much depth as possible.
When you had trouble at first, but eventually succeeded. How did you know you did well? What changes did you, your parents, your teachers, or your friends make that made it possible? Go into as much depth as possible.
Read over your reflections from number 4. Make a list of the things that make learning difficult for you personally, and a list of the things that make learning easy for you personally. Using those lists, create at least three accommodations you believe your teachers, parents, and classmates should provide to make it easier for you to learn and perform well in school.
Review the goals you set in number 2. Make sure they match your accommodations and still seem attainable, but you think they will challenge you to do well. Make any changes needed.
Fill out the IEP Cover Sheet handed out in class.
Dessert (optional):
Share your personal reflection with another teacher or parent and ask for their comments. Particularly ask if they would add any other accommodations or goals to your lists. Using this information, revise your IEP.
Interview a licensed clinical social worker or a psychologist in an education related field. Ask them how they determine accommodations and goals for the students they serve in their IEPs. If you're comfortable, show the person you're interviewing your IEP and ask for their feedback. Using this information, revise your IEP.