Planning for Differentiated Instruction

Artifact Description: These lesson plans were developed for my student teaching experience at El Sierra Elementary School. The first lesson focuses on math, exploring 2D and 3D geometric shapes. The second is a reading and science lesson centered on Earth Day. To keep kindergarten students engaged and enhance their understanding, I incorporated knowledge-building videos, Total Physical Response (TPR), visual and non-verbal cues, and various interactive elements.

IPTS Connection: These lesson plans demonstrate my ability to "develop or select relevant instructional content, materials, resources, and strategies (e.g., project-based learning) for differentiating instruction" (3Q). The lesson plans exhibit this through differentiated approaches that cater to various learning styles and engagement methods to ensure all students remain involved and grasp the material.

What I Learned: From creating and delivering these lesson plans, I learned the importance of integrating diverse instructional strategies to address the varied needs of kindergarten students. This experience taught me how to effectively use videos, TPR, and other interactive methods to maintain engagement while supporting student understanding of math and science concepts. I also learned about the importance of flexibility and adaptability in teaching young learners with differing levels of attention and comprehension.

Artifact Description: This is a unit plan for EDUC 341: Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language Learners, a course at Trinity Christian College. I created this unit plan for a 3rd grade general education classroom with English Language Learners (ELLs). The unit's focus is to introduce Earth's continents and oceans while helping students understand geographic locations and where their personal stories fit within the broader world context. Each lesson has a different domain focus—listening, speaking, reading, or writing—to support diverse learning needs among ELLs.

IPTS Connection: This unit plan shows that I "understand cultural, linguistic, cognitive, physical, and social and emotional differences, and consider the needs of each student when planning instruction" (3C). This unit plan shows evidence of such through differentiated strategies to meet varied language proficiency levels and incorporates culturally relevant content to connect global geography with students' personal experiences. The plan also includes scaffolding techniques such as visuals and hands-on activities, encouraging peer interaction to support social and language skills.

What I Learned: Through this collection of lesson plans, I learned to integrate a variety of instructional strategies and adapt content to meet the diverse needs of ELLs in a general education classroom. This involved creating lessons that cater to different language skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing, allowing students to build a comprehensive understanding of Earth's continents and oceans. Additionally, I learned about the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity when planning curriculum. I learned to be mindful of the students' backgrounds and tailor the content to connect their personal stories with the broader geographical themes, promoting engagement and a sense of belonging.