KSA #5-- Differentiation
Description: all students can learn, albeit at different rates and in different ways. They know how (including when and how to engage others) to identify students’ different learning styles and ways students learn. They understand the need to respond to differences by creating multiple paths to learning for individuals and groups of students, including students with special learning needs
This KSA was directly correlated with one of my Professional Growth Goals
Students in all classrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and abilities. What is right for one's students learning, is not always right for another. I remember sitting in my math class one year, not able to fully understand a concept, and instead of a teacher helping me in a way I could understand, they simply said "well, it's a good thing we have calculators!" I would have been far more successful in math later on, if this teacher has just helped me in the way that I needed.
It is so important to make sure that the needs of the learners are met. Finding out the needs of your learners can be very simple, as long as you know where to start. Building solid relationships with students is the best place to start. You can get to know your students by talking with them, finding out how they learn best, taking interest surveys, etc.
In my practicum I worked on finding meaningful ways to differentiate my lesson to fit the students different needs. Some strategies I used included:
-differentiation in partner work (strong with strong, middle with weaker etc.)
-mini-lessons
-use of pictures instead of words
-change up learning environment
-modifying content
-varying support
This KSA was directly correlated with one of my Professional Growth Goals
Students in all classrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and abilities. What is right for one's students learning, is not always right for another. I remember sitting in my math class one year, not able to fully understand a concept, and instead of a teacher helping me in a way I could understand, they simply said "well, it's a good thing we have calculators!" I would have been far more successful in math later on, if this teacher has just helped me in the way that I needed.
It is so important to make sure that the needs of the learners are met. Finding out the needs of your learners can be very simple, as long as you know where to start. Building solid relationships with students is the best place to start. You can get to know your students by talking with them, finding out how they learn best, taking interest surveys, etc.
In my practicum I worked on finding meaningful ways to differentiate my lesson to fit the students different needs. Some strategies I used included:
-differentiation in partner work (strong with strong, middle with weaker etc.)
-mini-lessons
-use of pictures instead of words
-change up learning environment
-modifying content
-varying support
One very specific example of a lesson I used differentiated instruction was in Social Studies while studying Meteghan, NS. We were learning about how children in Meteghan speak French, because they are Acadian. So, we decided to learn a few French words and create a little Puzzle for our Meteghan Lapbooks. I have 3 students in my class whose first language is not English and they are still learning a great deal of vocabulary in English. So what I chose to do for this group, was instead of having them work on French word puzzles for their lapbooks, I have them work on Acadian words and learn some of that vocabualry instead. You can see the difference in the picture located to the left.
University Courses that have contributed to my knowledge, skill and attributes for Differentiation:
EDUC 2500: Orientation into Teaching
EDUC 3502: Educational Psychology
EDUC 3602: The Educational Psychology of Exceptional Learners
EDUC 3603: Social Context of Schooling
EDUC 3500: Professional Semester I Practicum
EDUC 3600: Professional Semester II Practicum
EDUC 4572: Elementary Education Internship (PS III)
EDUC 2500: Orientation into Teaching
EDUC 3502: Educational Psychology
EDUC 3602: The Educational Psychology of Exceptional Learners
EDUC 3603: Social Context of Schooling
EDUC 3500: Professional Semester I Practicum
EDUC 3600: Professional Semester II Practicum
EDUC 4572: Elementary Education Internship (PS III)