Standard 4: Uses strategies to deliver instruction that meets the learning needs of students.
4 a. Aligns instruction with local standards and district curriculum.
Student Reading Sample
The Common Core asks students to manipulate reading passages in many ways. I look for ways to fulfill those standards while making learning fun and meaningful for students. Reading "Shattered Lives" taught students about current events (refugees in Syria, focusing on a child) in addition to meeting reading comprehension standards.
PLC Notes
5-8 special education teachers have collaborated more in the past two years than ever before. We met last year during PLC time to align Common Core Power Standards in math. In this way, student achievement should increase because there will not be any "holes" going from one grade to the next.
4 b. Research-based instructional strategies used to meet various cognitive levels.
KU Writing Strategies Levels
Students come into 7th and 8th grade with different abilities in reading, writing, and math. In teaching writing, I use research-based Kansas University Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing Strategy, Proficiency in the Sentence Writing Strategy, and The Paragraph Writing Strategy. Students are placed in one of the two sentence writing strategies after they are assessed; they then work through that strategy until mastery. Simultaneously, all students receive direct instruction in The Paragraph Writing Strategy. These strategies break writing down into logical and manageable chunks, so that students with disabilities can be successful in improving their writing skills.
4 c. Flexible and responsive in adjusting instruction to meet student needs.
Email to Teacher regarding Rubrics
Whitney Dahlgren came to me with a concern about IEP students' participation in group projects. I suggested that she monitor their behavior by using rubrics, and that she talk to the students to let them know exactly what they are to be graded on while in a group project setting. I found several rubrics for her to look over for possible use. She did choose one of the rubrics.
Lesson Plans showing Differentiation of Instruction
My students possess varying skill levels in math, reading, and writing. I have to respond to all of those levels simultaneously. I plan direct instruction in such a way that I can meet the needs of those students who are mastering skills and are able to "move on", while those who need reteaching of a skill can receive that as well. One of the methods I use is to share student-made videos with other students who may need review. This is a win-win situation because the student who is the "teacher" gets to practice his skill and feel proud, and the student who needs to review a skill gets a video to show the steps needed to solve a problem.
4 d. Provides varied experiences to meet the diverse needs of students.