Come up with a plan - Essay Example

The goal that I would set for my 11th grade U.S. History would be a dual completion/proficiency percentage for all room assignments of 95%. I selected this goal because I plan on taking a differentiated approach to instruction with these students. Through differentiated instruction, I will address the learning needs of all students. Individualized classroom activities will ensure that students are consistently working in their zone of proximal development. The work will be challenging but not so difficult as to induce frustration or anxiety.

Establishing a high completion/proficiency percentage shows me that the students are progressing in knowledge because they are accomplishing the tasks assigned through differentiation. To accomplish this goal, I will first determine what students know about the unit of instruction before I begin to teach it. These diagnostic tests will show me where students should begin their studies. The class is stratified roughly into three categories (Above, At and Below Grade Level). I will anticipate the diagnostic test showing the strengths and weaknesses of students across these categories.

Based on the results of the diagnostic, students will be allowed to self-select multiple learning activities that have been developed for their current level of understanding. Allowing students to self-select provides a level of intrinsic motivation that dictated assignments do not, especially for students that struggle to learn or who possess negative attitudes towards authority. Students working above grade level will be provided with opportunities to conduct semi-guided research, interview individuals in the community that have strong links to a particular topic in the unit of study or attend to a project that deepens their understanding of the unit.

An example of a higher-level activity would be to interview a community member that participated in civil disobedience during the Vietnam War and a different community member that served in the military during the Vietnam War. This student would need to use higher level thinking skills such as synthesis to create a deeper understanding of that era in U.S. history. Students working at or below grade level will engage in worthwhile activities as well. Their work will not be busy work such as simply memorizing definitions or writing responses to questions in the book.

They will engage in activities such as debates or question answer sessions with guest speakers. For example, instead of sending them out to interview individuals in the community, a guest speaker will be brought into the classroom where students that are struggling record information from the conversation using graphic organizers and guided note taking. If by February, I see that 25% of the students in my class are not going to reach the goal of 95% completion/proficiency, I would seek advice from a more experienced teacher or an administrator if available.

I would review the approach I am taking to differentiated instruction as a means of reaching all the students in my classroom. I would ask for critiques as to my selection of assignments, instructional adequacy and communication skills. By reflecting on their comments and advice, I would hope to be inspired as to how I can help my students reach the goal I set for them at the beginning of the year.