Standard 3

Diverse Learners. Candidates understand how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.

Supporting Explanation

Candidates understand and can identify differences in student approaches to learning and performance. They are able to design instruction and adapt instructional techniques for students of diverse cultural and language backgrounds and for students who have exceptional learning needs. Candidates create a learning community which is inclusive and in which individual differences are respected.

What? (Evidence)

•  DRL: Our Country's History
• Adding Unlike Fractions lesson plan

So What? (Reflection)

     Today's classrooms are more diverse than ever; therefore, teachers need to understand that not all students learn the same ways. Teachers have to develop an understanding of each student's strengths and weaknesses in order to modify instruction accordingly. This includes ESL students, special needs students, students with learning disabilities, and students who are above grade-level. The instruction needs to provide both remediation and enrichment opportunities. The teacher also needs to create a warm and accepting learning environment where all students are respected and no student is left out. This can be done through multi-cultural activities and by the teacher promoting and modeling acceptance. It is never fair for a teacher to show a bias toward a student. Teachers need to make accommodations for students when needed in order to meet their learning needs. My DRL helped to do this by differentiating the rubric to meet the personal best of each student. In the adding unlike fractions lesson, I broke the students up into leveled groups. The remediation group began with a review before moving onto small group instruction and independent practive. I also had the students make a flipbook which would allow students to have a step-by-step visual of the process if needed.

Now What? (Direction)

    When I have my own classroom, I am going to make a constant effort to understand the individual needs to my students. Some of these needs may only be realized through observation and conferencing. I will provide my students with both remediation and enrichment opportunities so that each student can learn at their optimal level. I will do this through differentiated instruction as well as incorporating the reading and writing workshop into my classroom. I will also work to create a classroom environment that respects the differences of others and appreciates diversity.