IEP Reflection

 

 

     An Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes the educational program that has been designed to meet a child’s unique needs. There are many components of an IEP meeting to ensure that a child’s unique needs are met. I have never attended an IEP until I witnessed our “mock” IEP in class.

     During the introduction by the Principal, it was interesting to me to see how many people are involved in this process. Parents, regular education teachers, special education teachers, psychologists, assessor, occupational therapist, speech pathologist all play an important role in meeting the needs of the student. Translators are also present at IEP meetings if needed.

     During this meeting, there are many steps to ensure the student’s needs are being met and will advance successfully in their education. Present levels of performance are reviewed based on assessments. In the mock IEP, the school psychologist was able to provide information about assessment. This person also provides social, emotional, and academic observations. These details help to determine the needs of the child. The classroom teacher was also able to provide important information in the mock IEP meeting.

     Based on the findings from the school psychologist, measurable goals and objectives are developed to address the needs of the student. These goals will be revisited in order to ensure growth. The IEP team will review the goals once a year. Revision of the IEP will take place if there is a lack of growth towards the goals, reevaluation results, anticipated needs or other matters.

     Accommodations are taken into consideration, as well as educational services. These accommodations and educational services are included in the IEP. Special Education and related services are to be provided that will assist the student in making progress toward annual goals. In the mock IEP, Andrew needed the Speech and Language Pathologist and the Resource Specialist in order to meet his goals.  During the mock IEP, it was decided how often Andrew would meet with both services to help him make progress towards the goals set in the IEP.

     Throughout this whole process, the parent or parents of the child are listening to the concerns of their child. It made me think how hard it must be for the parents to listen to how their child is performing and what they may need in order to be successful in school. I am not a parent but can only imagine the difficulty in hearing your child needs help. Parents are allowed to bring anyone they want who knows the child or can provide useful input to be apart of the meeting. I believe this is done so the parents have some support. During the mock IEP, the parents questioned the IEP team a lot but seemed to be supportive. I understand that in some meetings, the parents may not be so supportive. Parents also have the right to review and obtain any educational documents.  Parents may also videotape the IEP meeting. If parents videotape, it is recommended the school videotape as well.

     I was disturbed by the fact that during the mock IEP, several people were in and out of the meeting. I understand that it takes a lot of people to conduct a meeting and that all people who have a part in the child’s education can not be present all the time. However, since an IEP is a legal document and all these people play an important role in carrying out the plan, I feel that there must be more done to ensure all those involved can devote time to ensure that all plans are successfully talked about, reviewed, and carried out. 

  

     Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching and learning for students of mixed abilities in the same class. Based on classes I have taken at Loyola Marymount University, I have learned the importance of implementing differentiated instruction into my classroom. Differentiated instruction includes content, process, and product.

     Students are at different levels academically. Content may need to be adjusted based on the students’ needs. All students do not learn the same so how can the information we expect them to learn be presented the same for each lesson. Students must be given different opportunities to share what they have learned.

     It is the teacher’s job to ensure academic success for their students. Changing our ways of teaching to include differentiated instruction is part of that. One way I ensure success is to send out questionnaires to students and their parents. I find out valuable information about my students culture, likes, dislikes, and learning styles. I incorporate this into my teaching.

     In my classroom, differentiated instruction also allows me adjust the content of my lessons to meet the needs of all my students. My students all are at different levels. I try to assess my students before I start a lesson to learn what they already know.  For my students who already know all the spelling words, I challenge them with different words instead of testing them at the end of the week with words they have already demonstrated they know. For math, I will give the students who already know the material more challenging problems of the same concept. For my students who do not understand the concept, I will teach to their needs differently.

     Differentiated instruction targets all learning styles. For my students who are visual learners, I will present lessons using graphic organizers, I will utilize the overhead, or use streamlined videos. For my students who are auditory learners, I will read stories aloud or discuss comprehension questions orally. For my students who are kinesthetic learners, I utilize manipulatives in math, white boards in all subjects, and conduct mini experiments in science.

     I also group my students several different ways to ensure learning. For some tasks, students will work in small groups. Sometimes students will work in pairs. Students also have the option to work by themselves. It is important to give students choices because of their different learning styles.

      In my classroom, I have several different ways to assess my students. Student journals help me to see progress in my students writing at the beginning of the year compared to the second or third trimester. I allow students to choose their best piece from their journals every month. I photocopy that piece and place it in their portfolio. The students enjoy choosing the writing they feel is their best. It is also a good way for students to evaluate their own writing and progress. I like to get out their portfolios mid second trimester and show them how far they have come in their printing, sentence structure, story telling, and illustrations. They are amazed at their progress. Their portfolios follow them onto the next grade level.

     I utilize anecdotal notes about my students in my classroom. I write notes on labels focusing on different groups of students Monday through Thursday. For example, on Monday I will focus on my seven students in the blue group. On Tuesday, I will focus on all the students in the red group and so on. I divide my students into four color groups.  On Friday, I revisit the student who were absent during the week or need extra attention. At the end of the week, I have some notes jotted down for each student. My comments may be one or two words or two or three sentences. I put these labels on the student’s folders that are passed onto the next teacher. These labels help me to evaluate my lessons and see what concepts I need to revisit. These labels also help me when I am having a conference with a parent, writing progress reports, or writing comments for report cards.

     Differentiated instruction ensures success for all learners in the classroom. If implemented properly in class, teachers will adjust content, students will be given opportunities to learn in different learning styles, and students will be able to produce work in different ways to show what they have learned.  By utilizing these strategies into the curriculum, students will be successful.

 

 

Reflection

The Piano

  

     After reading The Piano, I had many different thoughts and emotions. I thought of my grandparents and their struggles to learn English in a new country. I thought of my students who are English Learners. I reflected on my own journey of language and my own desires to learn the language my grandparents spoke so beautifully.

     My parents were both born in the United States. My father’s first language was Spanish. He learned English when he started school. Both his parents were born in Mexico. My mother’s first language was English. My mother spoke Spanish when she was a little girl. When her grandmother passed away, speaking Spanish went with her. English is my first language. I grew up around Spanish speaking people. However, it was not spoken in my home unless my grandparents were visiting. They wanted to learn English so they encouraged us to only speak English to them. Disagreements between my grandparents were spoken in Spanish. I think they did not want us to know what they were arguing about and that is why they discouraged the grandchildren to learn Spanish.                       

     When I started Kindergarten, I was put into a bilingual class. My mother and father decided to pull me out of that class because I could only get in the afternoon class. The afternoon class did not work with their schedule. My mother worked and needed me to be in a morning class. So I was moved to another school that did not offer bilingual classes. This school was English only. I recently asked my parents if they would have preferred me to stay in the bilingual class. They said they would have liked me to be in a bilingual class so I could speak both languages. I did not take a Spanish class until I attended High School. I took three years of Spanish.

     As the author states, piano is the language his grandfather wanted him to learn so he could live a happy life. Many people see the English language as an opportunity to make life better. I think how lucky I am to have learned English from the beginning. I see so many of my students struggle to learn the language. They attempt to understand the rules of this language. I find it hard to explain myself. Then I have regrets. I wish that I would have the benefit of being bilingual.

     I think it is so important to have a rich background in more than one language. The benefits are numerous. Here in America, in some jobs, speaking more than one language earns more money. How scary is it to think that many other countries promote learning three to four languages for their students while our students don’t learn another language until they are in High School. Language is the bridge to communication all over the world. It could provide opportunities for travel, business, and education.

     I have experienced language barriers with students as well as parents. I often regret that I did not learn to speak Spanish. I know some words and phrases but do not feel comfortable holding a conversation with a parent. It saddens me because it would be such a benefit for me and my students. For four years I had a bilingual aide in my classroom. She was such an important asset. She was able to explain to parents my concerns or share stories of success. I feel that if parents were able to communicate with me, they would feel more comfortable to come to me with concerns.

     Of course teachers played a major role in my own language development. I am grateful for the teachers I have had in the past. I feel that I am a good writer and reader. My grammar could use improvement. I know that my role as a teacher is so important in the lives of my students. I am a first grade teacher and in first grade, you learn to read. I feel the pressure to make sure I send these students onto second grade being confident readers.

     I feel that my grandparents played a major role in my language development. I wanted to learn the beautiful language they spoke. Unfortunately, they saw Spanish as a road block. They wanted me to only speak English with them. Now that I am an adult, I have a lot of regret. I wish I would have helped them see the importance of learning both languages. They both died when I was in Junior High. I wish I could share with them all I have learned. I almost feel like they might have been ashamed of their language. I would love to help them see the beauty of our culture and language and express my desire to be fluent in this wonderful language.

     Language development is critical for our students. As teachers, we must implement strategies to help our students succeed in language and other academics. This assignment helped me to recognize the need to learn the piano but to remember to cherish all sounds and to love the music of the earth. All people contribute wonderful sounds to our worlds’ symphony.