Differentiation Template Signature Assignment

Signature Assignment Differentiation Template

Respond to each prompt thoroughly and specifically,, using specific details about your lesson.

Focus Student #1: English Language Learner

Identify the specific areas of challenge posed to this student by this lesson

1. The language of instruction for this lesson is English. Eslam’s first language is Arabic. He has been speaking English for 18 months only and his performance in English (C) indicates his grasp of the language is still limited.

2. Easily distracted in the class setting. Eslam routinely misses social cues with regard to appropriate behavior in the class setting.

Based on the student description, what is one or more academic growth needs you will address with this student in this specific lesson?

1. The need for further enhance the student’s vocabulary

2. The need to ensure the student concentrates and is more focused in class

Describe a specific instructional adaptation for this lesson to meet the student’s growth needs

Instructional Adaptation:

1. Pre-teaching – Effort will be made to ensure that Eslam has access to the learning materials before class time. For instance, articles to be used in class can be sent or handed to him in advance (i.e. 1 day in advance).

2. To address the student’s attention issues, Eslam could be given more chores and opportunities for activity. Approaches to consider will include asking him questions from time to time, giving him responsibilities like cleaning the board, collecting papers, etc.

Based on the student description, what is one or more social/emotional growth needs you will address with this student in this specific lesson?

Cultural Orientation: Eslam has only been in the U.S. for 18 months and hence his cultural bearing and orientation could be different from that of his peers. He has indicated to his parents that he does not like it in the U.S. His getting into trouble could be a manifestation of trying to fit-in.

Describe a specific affective adaptation for this lesson to meet the student’s growth needs

Affective Adaptation:

1. Utilization of cooperative learning whereby I could pair Eslam with another friendly student and have them discuss concepts and post their shared responses from time to time. Group discussions could also be prominently utilized.

2. Ensure that from time to time, the instructional material ties back to various cultural aspects.

Provide your pedagogical rationale for the differentiation(s).

Given Eslam’s exposure to new experiences, the adaptations made seek to address not only the learning needs of this student, but also his social needs – which are mutually exclusive.

Explain how your differentiation choices will lead to improved academic success for your focus student.

1. Pre-teaching will come in handy for familiarization purposes. Such a preview will be a great way to empower Eslam so that he cannot be left behind during class time.

2. Giving Eslam could more chores and opportunities for activity will ensure that he is more focused and alert.

Explain how your differentiation choices will lead to improved social/ emotional success in the classroom.

1. By making use of cooperative learning, Eslam can have more grasp of other cultures, apart from his own, and therefore be more willing to participate on both the social and academic front.

2. Tying instructional material back to various cultural aspects will ensure that students are more aware of cultural differences, and therefore more appreciative of diversity. This will give Eslam an easy time in the learning process by ensuring he is not subject to cultural stereotypes.

Signature Assignment Differentiation Template

Respond to each prompt thoroughly and specifically,, using specific details about your lesson.

Focus Student #2: Special Education Student

Identify the specific areas of challenge posed to this student by this lesson

1. Group activities.

2. Difficulties with activities that demand a lot of organization and planning.

Based on the student description, what is one or more academic growth needs you will address with this student in this specific lesson?

Essentially, students with autism, like Smith, have special needs that need to be recognized and addressed. Towards this end, I will see to it that instructional approaches are not generalized and are, therefore, adapted to meet Smith’s individual needs.

Describe a specific instructional adaptation for this lesson to meet the student’s growth needs

Instructional Adaptation:

In addition to ensuring that the language I use during instruction is simple and concise (i.e. by way of avoiding idioms, sarcasm, and complex sentence structures), I will actively monitor group activities in which Smith is a member or other engagements that call for Smith’s active participation within a group setting.

Based on the student description, what is one or more social/emotional growth needs you will address with this student in this specific lesson?

1. Smith’s ability to interact with his peers

Describe a specific affective adaptation for this lesson to meet the student’s growth needs

Affective Adaptation:

1. Sensitize other students on Smith’s different needs

Provide your pedagogical rationale for the differentiation(s).

Students with autism often face a unique set of challenges, both with regard to behavioral issues in social situations, and when it comes to their response to cues and commands. These challenges affect their ability to interacted well with others and present special problems when it comes to adjustment to non-routine activities, etc. There is, therefore, need for special instructional adjustments to be made in this case.

Explain how your differentiation choices will lead to improved academic success for your focus student.

1. Using simplified language during instruction (devoid of idioms, sarcasm, and complex sentence structures) is of great relevance in this case so as to address Smith’s cognitive problems. Children with autism, such as Steve, often have to contend with a myriad of cognitive challenges such as central coherence (i.e. inability to appreciate ‘the bigger picture’).

2. In seeking to actively monitor group activities in which Smith is a member, I will be seeking to minimize anxiety on the part of the learner. Children with autism often find it difficult to function as part of a group due to limited social interaction and communication abilities. In monitoring group interactions closely, I would be seeking to prevent instances of teasing and/or bullying. Further, I will be seeking to ensure that Smith understands that he is part of the group, while attempting to determine if he is adversely impacted upon by sensory issues with peers. Smith’s aide may be restored if need be.

Explain how your differentiation choices will lead to improved social/ emotional success in the classroom.

Sensitizing other students on Smith’s different needs would be a valid move under the present circumstances. This could be done so as to avert instances of teasing which could in turn help prevent anxiety on the student’s part. Exposure to constant anxiety can negatively affect a student’s academic performance. Further, this would make it possible for Smith to have partners to help him address his challenges, i.e. students helping him adjust to changes in routine, i.e. from playtime, to class time, to group activities.

Signature Assignment Differentiation Template

Respond to each prompt thoroughly and specifically,, using specific details about your lesson.

Focus Student #3: A Student with Situation Requiring Accommodation

Identify the specific areas of challenge posed to this student by this lesson

1. After-school class assignments and follow-up activities could be a challenge to complete, especially given that Johnson works until late, and she has no access to both electricity and a personal computer to work on assignments. This is more so the case given that in Student Reflection (metacognition), students are required to gather facts regarding inequality during WWII on their own and present the same to the class.

Based on the student description, what is one or more academic growth needs you will address with this student in this specific lesson?

Need: Lack of resources and opportunities for out-of-class learning.

Describe a specific instructional adaptation for this lesson to meet the student’s growth needs

Instructional Adaptation:

Refresh students on what was learnt the previous day before we start class

Based on the student description, what is one or more social/emotional growth needs you will address with this student in this specific lesson?

Absentmindedness and lack of concentration. There are several challenges facing Johnson’s family at present, i.e. separation of her parents. In addition, she has to work until late so that they can have something to eat. These are challenges Johnson could find it difficult to cope with, effectively affecting her ability to stay focused in class.