Planning for Differentiated Instruction

This artifact was a lesson that was written for MATH 288 (Elementary Math Methods) in the Fall of 2022 for my final assignment for the class. This lesson was written as a mock re-engagement lesson on number operations, but with the use of a case study for planning purposes. My case study included a student with high anxiety, a student with a family situation, and a student who received low MAP testing scores. Given these details of these students, I had to differentiate my instruction in order to meet these different students' needs. This lesson was never put into real use since it was for a case study, but I have definitely taken some of these ideas during my time as a novice and student teacher.

This artifact is of extreme importance as it highlights different characteristics or performance data of the students and how to work with them in order to meet their needs. It is important to be aware of these differences in order to help the students grow and give them a comfortable environment in order to get them to where they need to be. I was able to “use(s) data to plan for differentiated instruction to allow for variations in individual learning needs” (3J) within this lesson. To differentiate, I planned to partner these students with specific students that will help with their situations, which is necessary in helping them succeed. 

The re-engagement lesson was one of my favorite assignments that I was able to complete at Trinity Christian College. Not only was it enjoyable, but I was able to gain knowledge on the importance of differentiation. Given a case study that I have not had an experience with in the classroom allowed me to recognize that I will encounter many different situations as an educator. I believe that this assignment was a great help to my understanding of being open and ready to take on whatever may be given to me as a teacher. Differentiation is something that will never go away because each student is unique, which is a beautiful thing that needs to be recognized and aided in order to do what is best for each student individually. 

This artifact was incorporated in a math lesson during my student teaching experience of Spring 2023. This was created  in order to meet the two students' needs in my class who received a 100% on the pretest for math. Since they received this perfect score, I took their worksheet to the next level in which they would use multiplication to create arrays, while the rest of the class used addition. By completing these worksheets the students would become stronger in their multiplication, so that we can continuously move to the next level because of their academic progression.

This artifact is very important as it helps meet the two individuals' needs in math. Since they are further ahead than the rest of the class, keeping them at the same level will not push them to grow. It is important to “understand(s) when and how to adjust plans based on outcome data, as well as student needs, goals, and responses” (3D) in order to push them to do more and reach new goals. These students hold characteristics that differ from the rest of the class and it is important to recognize, embrace, and take action on these differences. 

I have incorporated differentiation throughout my lessons, but this artifact was something new. I have never had students perform that well on a test that I had to incorporate more advanced tasks. But, I was able to learn how important it is to add these advanced tasks to challenge the students to grow as individuals. It is important to challenge the advanced, but it is also necessary in helping those on the other end.As an educator, I am going to run into these types of situations on both ends of the academic spectrum. Knowing this, it is crucial to embrace these differences and do my best in helping the students succeed.