Lesson Planning...
I like to create lessons where students are immersed in engaging and interactive activities that foster creative thinking and pushes them to do their personal best!
The secret? Tailoring lessons that are specific to my class, and providing differentiated instruction according to each child's needs.
What is differentiated instruction??
I'm glad you asked! Differentiated instruction is teaching to students in the way that makes sense to them! This means that not everyone is going to receive the same assignment or the same instructions. This should be based on the learner's needs and strengths!
How do we differentiate??
That is also a great question! We can differentiate the
​
-Content-
what you are teaching
-Process-
how you are teaching it
and
-Product-
how students demonstrate their learning
​
What I ask myself while lesson planning:
​
-
Does this lesson challenge each of my students on an individual basis?
-
Is this activity too simple for my learners?
-
Does this lesson allow for my students to showcase their very best work?
-
Is this concept relevant to my students' lives?
-
Do my students have any prior knowledge on this topic?
-
What are some differentiation/accommodations I could be providing for my students to achieve the most out of this lesson?
Just remember, not everyone learns in the same way, and everyone has something
unique to contribute!
Sample Lessons...
Click me for Lesson #1!
Lesson #1:
Groundhog's Day Lesson
Class Demographics: Four students ages 9-11, all diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Reading level: Grade 2
Learning Outcomes: Students will explore the theme of Groundhog’s Day by interacting with a read aloud, answering questions about the book and following a task analysis for a Groundhog Art Activity.
Differentiation: ​(1) A differentiated writing activity prompt will be provided for M due to his difficulty in maneuvering a pencil. A teacher will scribe the sentences that he formulates given the specified criteria. (2) A differentiated groundhog writing activity prompt (Appendix F) will be provided for J and T due to their writing objectives. They will then take the sentences they create with this visual to copy sentences down on the writing worksheet.
​
Lesson #2:
Intro to the Olympics
Class Demographics: Four students ages 9-11, all diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Reading level: Grade 2
Learning Outcomes: Students will explore the theme of the Olympics by watching a Ski Jump video clip, sequencing parts of a ski jump, creating their own ski jumper, and participating in a “Ski Jump” activity.
Differentiation: ​(1) A differentiated writing reflection will be provided for T & J who need structure for the writing format. (2) Assistance will be given to M with fine motor tasks (cutting, ripping tape, taping STEM activity) due to his fine motor deficits.
​
Click me for Lesson #2!
Part of the Task Analysis for the "Making Your Own Ski Jumper" STEM Activity
Lesson #3:
Rolling Dice Activity
Class Demographics: Four students ages 9-11, all diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Reading level: Grade 2
Learning Outcomes: .Students will explore math word problems through a hands on large foam dice activity and an interactive Smart Board presentation.
Differentiation: ​(1) A differentiated post assessment for J with highlighted key words for J (2) Independent activity problems specific to each student at the math level they are on to complete as independently as possible
​
Click me for Lesson #3!
