3. Planning for Differentiated Instruction

This activity was created as a part of a larger unit on how Congress functions. The lesson began with a lecture on what happens in Congress, and ended with an activity where students simulated how Congressional committees work.

Through this lesson, it shows that I know "how to adjust plans based on outcome data, as well as student needs, goals and responses" (3D). This lesson was initially supposed to be one day, but students were slightly confused about the assignment (and I also talked for too long - it happens). As a result, the assignment portion of this lesson was changed so the students had extra time the next day.

I included this lesson in my portfolio because it showed my ability to adjust to student response. Students needed additional time to complete the committee simulation, and I was able to adapt by giving extra time and changing the planning for the rest of the week. As a result, the students were able to complete the assignment, and provided thorough, well thought responses.

This is a lesson I devised for a unit on the first amendment, specifically free speech. During this lesson, students were assigned a statement which they had to respond to, and then had to document the responses of their peers. The class ended with whole class discussion regarding the statements and a case currently before the Supreme Court. 

By teaching this lesson, it shows my ability to develop lesson "plans based on student responses and provides for different pathways based on student needs" (3M). Part of this goes back to the beginning of the semester, where students indicated in their "get to know you" surveys that they hate to be cold-called. This is also a very quiet class, which made whole class discussion a challenge. In response to this, I implemented more small-group activities. Students were more comfortable an engaged when working amongst themselves, and after were more willing to engage in whole class discussion afterward.

Working with more quiet classes was a challenge, and I think this lesson plans shows how I overcame that. As someone who also hated being cold-called in school, I completely understood why these students were uncomfortable. However, I think that this lesson shows how I found a solution, small group work, and took notice on how it improved class participation.