The Learner and Learning
Learner Development"The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences."
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Learning Differences"The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards."
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Learning Environments"The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation."
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Learner Development
I believe that learning experiences can include scaffolding for various development and learning patterns within a classroom without reducing the level of challenge. I enjoy creating challenging projects and assessments that include scaffolding that allows mastery of the aligned standard to be achieved by all students. One of my favorite tools is the Frayer Vocabulary map. With this tool, students use a graphic organizer to better comprehend new and challenging vocabulary. The map includes Definition, Characteristics, Examples, and Non-Examples. I will allow my future students to create as many of these maps as they need and use them on assessments (any vocabulary quizzes will be exempt from this scaffold, however). I see this tool as assisting students with low reading levels (including ELL students) to understand questions referring to broader concepts and applications without penalizing them for struggling with vocabulary.
Frayer Vocabulary Map
Frayer Vocabulary Map
Learner Differences
At the beginning of my student teaching, I made sure to write a letter home to the parents of all students. I was fortunate enough to have a translator available in our office who was willing to translate my letter for my Spanish-speaking families. This allowed me to personally connect with all parents and reach out for any questions they may have. I included contact information for myself as well as the translator in case they wanted to discuss their child’s learning with me. I also made contact with parents of struggling students with phone calls through the translator as well as by myself. I felt very connected with the community and with my students by utilizing the translation services offered at my placement site!
Parent Letter
Parent Letter
Learning Environments
During a station learning activity regarding evolution and classification, students spent time at three stations with myself and two other instructors. Two stations included live specimens: a bearded dragon and a cockatoo. Students will were to observe, sketch, and discuss similarities and differences between the two animals. The third station allowed students to work collaboratively with visual representations of human, pig, iguana and bird embryo development as well as guided inquiry discussions regarding the fossil record. This activity included in-depth discussions as well as active engagement and inquiry-based learning.