WA2

Differential Learning Support

Mary Garcia

ESE 634 Education-Based Collaborative Relationships

Instructor: John Mendes

May 24, 2021

Hello Mr. Franklin,

Thank you for reaching out to me and asking for my help with reviewing the lesson plan. I am excited to be of help to you as you develop an effective lesson plan to meet the needs of your students. I am happy that you consider using your resources to help your students. I am glad that you considered Manuel's concerns and those of the other students with learning challenged when developing the lesson plan. The student experience is essential for their learning, as it promotes their learning abilities as they progress to the next learning levels. As a special needs teacher, I am ready to help you with any difficulties that Manuel and his peers with learning challenged may face in their studies. I believe that by working together, we can develop the best strategies for Manuel and other students with learning disabilities and implement them in your geometry lessons.

Feedback

It is good that you have written and created the lesson plan in simple and clear. All the lessons are well-mapped out. The organization of the lesson plan is specific to ensure that it6covers the geometric lesson. Using topics and subtopics is essential for promoting students’ interests, attention span, and easy information flow. For instance, the seven objectives of the lesson plan are clear and on point. With clear objectives, it is easier for both you and students to follow through. The simplicity of the lesson plan makes it easy for any teacher to follow and implement it fully. Besides, it is important to inform students of the desired outcome at the end of every lesson (Cohen & Spenciner, 2009). This helps them to internalize and evaluate whether they were able to meet the desired outcomes or not.

Student involvement is an essential strategy in any learning environment. Students and teachers should work together. Teachers can promote interaction by starting a lesson by asking students questions that aim at getting their minds rolling and involved. Questions enable students to create a mental image and picture of the real world. Also, they can see and understand what they will be handling and how well it fits in their natural environment.

My only concern is on students creating a blueprint. Developing a blueprint by hand drawing might be a bit challenging for them. The process may be smoother and easier to master if students use technology to create these blueprints. It will also enhance their ability to transfer and master the blueprint. I am certain that it will be easier for him to understand Manuel’s technological abilities to understand it. The only concern is the ability of other students to implement the same. This would be a great experience for students to learn and develop future skills. I would strongly recommend that you include the blueprint class tutorials in the lesson plan. Prior knowledge and understanding of how to create such a lesson are essential.

The implementation of technology into the lesson is a perfect idea for the lesson plan. Proper pre-lesson and establishing students’ knowledge on how well they understand the technology (Cohen & Spenciner, 2009). Technology is essential in developing student's abilities. It is possible to purchase and design various technology devices to meet the specific needs of students. Assistive technology can be facilitated through various devices like the iPad,/computer, or digital camera as listed in your lesson plan.

Recommendation

· The first recommendation for you is to enhance Manuel's learning abilities and those of other students in integrating technology in daily classroom learning. Technology may entail reading or games that gear towards enhancing mathematical and geometrical knowledge (Weselby, 2014). The technology may be effective in learning various terminologies. The integration of numerical applications helps in improving mathematical knowledge.

· Another strategy is the use of guided reciprocal Peer Questioning—grouping students (Guido, 2016. The method promotes a high level of cognitive processing. It helps students collaborate in asking and responding to questions on how they should perform a particular process. It enhances peer learning.

· The third strategy is creating a students’ content grouping that covers Bloom’s Taxonomy. Bloom's taxonomy contains six levels of intellectual behaviors. These are remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating (Weselby, 2014).

· Journal wring excellent for understanding student's understanding and thoughts. Reflections help teachers learn about every student's strengths and weaknesses and areas that they need to emphasize in their lessons.

· Student grouping is the final strategy. Students learn to interact and collaborate through group work.

Closing

I want to take this opportunity to assist you in developing and improving your lesson plan. Working together as a team is crucial, especially in benefiting our students to develop their learning abilities. You are a great advocate for your students as you have constant interaction with them. Therefore, I believe that everything you have included in the lesson plan fits enhancing your students' education. I will always be here to help you execute the strategies to help Manuel and his peers. I would also be glad to help you in the classroom and with assignments as well.

Regards,

Mary Garcia

References

Cohen, L. G., & Spenciner, L. J. (2009). Teaching students with mild and moderate disabilities: Research-based practices. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Guido, M. (2016). 20 Differentiated Instruction Strategies & Examples | Prodigy. Prodigy Blog.

Retrieved 24 March 2019, from https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/differentiated- instruction-strategies-examples-download/

Weselby, C. (2014) What is differentiated instruction? Examples of how to differentiate instruction in the classroom. A Blog by Concordia University. Retrieved from: https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/examples-of-differentiated- instruction/