Planning & Preparation

Lesson Planning Through Backward Design: Throughout the summer, I learned the importance of organization and putting great levels of detail into my lesson planning. Using the backward design model aided me in planning and preparation. I arrived at school early every day to set up and make sure that all aspects of the lesson were ready to go -- setting up graphic organizers, printing worksheets, arranging seating by moving desks, and ensuring that all technology was working properly. All of my presentations aided my lessons and allowed me to provide students with clear written and verbal instructions. This attention to detail was especially important for addressing differentiation in my classroom. Utilizing technology to aid with differentiation, instructions, and assessment is something I thought deeply about during daily lesson planning. I believe this is one of the many reasons why class ran so seamlessly this summer. 

Modeling: Another crucial technique to address differentiation in my classroom was modeling. Whether it was annotating a text or revising writing examples with RADaR, I thought carefully about how to model aspects of the lesson for students. By modeling, I helped students see what the ideal outcomes for each assignment could look like. This served to address any student misconceptions before they arose.  

After getting to know my students and understanding their strengths, I became better at chunking instructions and providing scaffolds for effective, productive discussions. I gave instructions in pieces and paused to let students complete those instructions before moving on. This led to strong discussions and fewer questions while they were working. 

As the program progressed, I became intentional about establishing a purpose for all class activities. I was clear with students about how different parts of the lesson tie together, which helped transitions between activities.