STANDARD 1: TEACHING DIVERSE STUDENTS

Rational

The three artifacts that I have attached are related to strategies, accommodations, modifications, characteristics/causes, and a presentation on strategies on physical impairments in physical education. I was asked to create the Characteristics paper consisting of 3-4 pages, the Teaching Strategies Paper consisting of 4-6 pages, and the Presentation consisting of at least 6 slides with a video.The objective of this course is to learn the identification, characteristics and instructional methods for the exception child. These artifacts provided a better understanding of possible disabilities I may encounter with my future students. My hopes for these artifacts is to get a better understanding of certain disabilities, the knowledge, and how I can provide the best education for all my students.. I made the Characteristics and Causes Paper, a Teaching Strategies Paper, and a Powerpoint Presentation for my Introduction to Exceptional Children class at Trinity Christian College in Summer 2020.

Connection to ITPS Standard

These projects helped me understand the different disabilities, how to identify them, and different teaching strategies I can use (for students with disabilities in the future). There are a lot of aspects that go into planning and teaching students with exceptional needs (including gifted/talented). Through creating these artifacts I believe many standards have been met through this learning. These artifacts truly explains Standard 1 because it shows the importance of how to find specific teaching strategies for teaching diverse students in order for each student to meet social, economic, cultural, linguistic, and academic goals. Standard 1 states "understands the impact of cognitive, emotional, physical and sensory disabilities on learning and communication"(1D). These artifacts helped me understand how I can focus on the needs of my students. Lastly, standard 1 says “ The competent learning behavior specialist understands the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education” (7). This states that this course has helped me gain knowledge of how to understand IEPs. These artifacts can be kept on file for future use. My goal as a K-12 Physical Education teacher is to make sure I fully understand all my students and their disabilities, exceptions, and who they are when they enter my classroom and make sure they always feel accepted.

What I Learned

After creating these three artifacts I was able to get a more in-depth understanding of the importance of teaching strategies, accommodations, and modifications for students with special needs.I have learned different disabilities, their signs, and treatments for each. I also learned the importance of understanding students academic needs. Through creating these artifacts, I have learned that effective strategies and environments can provide students to be successful. As a teacher, I want all my students to be not only successful but to be engaged through their learning in the classroom. It is important to have specific learning strategies that are built around my students.