3. Planning for Differentiated Instruction

This vocabulary quiz was made for a 6th grade self-contained classroom. I allowed the students to review the vocab words before the test. I also differentiated the test by passing out the same test, but only grading two students on 4 words instead of 7.  

This vocab quiz is important because I noticed two students struggling with some vocab words and I was able to "adjust plans based on outcome data, as well as student needs, goals, and responses" to the review and vocab activities (3D).  From observing the students in the review and activities, I determined "short-term plans to achieve the expectations for student learning" (3I). The Unit was short, so I decided to modify the summative quiz so that it is individualized for students. 

I learned that students understand and learn differently. I used technology to make visuals of the vocab words for the students, which seemed to make it easier. I also created a Quizlet on the vocab words, this includes flashcards, matching and a test to review. 

This Session was created with a Unit on Cultures in the community. The unit was created for the class, "Elementary Literacy", I made it with a classmate. Students are instructed to look through a provided book on different cultures and find vocabulary words or phrases that they don't know. Students then find the meaning of the word or phrases and write it in their notebook. 

  This article is important because it is the first step in the students learning about their community!  We determined "relevant instructional content, materials, resources, and strategies (e.g., project-based learning) for differentiating instruction" (3Q). Students with ADHD are instructed to listen to an audio recording of the same book.  Making it easier for the student to focus on reading the book and completing the work.

I have learned that teaching students about their community is important and there are many different materials that can be used to help students learn. I have learned how to better use a variety of Informational texts such as articles, books, audio recordings, videos, etc. This has helped me develop as a teacher because it is good to use different kinds of text in the classroom, and find the material that will challenge the student just enough to help them grow as a reader! Students need reading and comprehension skills, and I want to build those skills in my future classroom using differentiated instruction and materials. 

This is an exit slip that I created during a unit on Character traits. I wanted to see what the students understood about the lesson. One has sentences to read and fill in the blank, while the other has pictures to match with the character trait.  I looked at prior student assignments and I collected "data to plan for differentiated instruction to allow for variations in individual learning needs"  (3J). This exit slip is important because I considered the students' individual learning needs, and I provided the vocab words with sentences or pictures. One of my students was able to read instructions on their own and determine the answer with few verbal prompts. The other two students needed the pictures as a visual as well as a para to sit with them and provided prompting. I learned that differentiation is important for independent work because students will have an easier time showing what they understand from the lesson. The most important thing about exit slips is to see where the students are, providing the supports/accomodations that the student needs.