Modifications for All Learners edTPA Boot camp January 13, 2014 Rebecca Morsefield

Supporting all Learners “Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way.” George Evans

Supporting all Learners Objectives: Explain why getting to know your students is the first step in the planning process. Describe how knowing your students relates to differentiating instruction. 3. Identify strategies used to support all learners.

TPA Task 1 Planning for Instruction KNOWING YOU STUDENTS What does the focus learner know? What can he/she do? What is he/she still learning to do? Why is this important? In order to anticipate their learning needs and provide supports

Knowing Your Students Information TPA Vocabulary Strengths/weaknesses Interests/talents Prior learning experiences Relevant lived experiences Activities outside of school Family support/resources Community resources Cultural expectations Background knowledge for scaffolding new learning Personal, family, community, cultural assets

Where can you obtain information about your students? Interest Surveys District Data IEP’s or 504 Plans Writing Activities Observations Portfolios Learning Styles Conferences Conversations Family Student Cooperating Teacher

Who Are My Students and what are their real needs What do students need as learners? What is valuable and relevant to your students? What do they already know-past experience? “Make the TPA fit their needs….not the other way around! The more you know your students, the easier the TPA process becomes” TPA Tips (Kelly & Walters 2012)

Be proactive-Plan for Differences Without proper planning, it is difficult to succeed at meeting individual needs. Remember “ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL” Adjusting the curriculum by providing flexible options benefits all learners

Universal design for learning-differentiation Proactive planning framework Based on the understanding that every classroom is composed of a variety of learning styles and abilities Based on knowing the students (TPA)

Universal design for learning-differentiation 1. Multiple Means of Representation Teacher uses a variety of strategies, tools and methods to represent information (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) 2. Multiple Means of Engagement Teacher provides a variety a ways to engage students (choice, address student interest, self- assessment and self-reflection) 3. Multiple Means of Expression Students use a variety of strategies, instructional tools and methods to demonstrate understanding CAST (www.cast.org) Universal design for learning resources

Brush Up On Bloom’s Taxonomy

Use A Variety of strategies & Supports Think-Pair-Share 1. How do you learn best? What type of learner are you? 2. Identify some of your favorite teaching strategies 2. Share with the person next to you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr_zh0_AMYA&feature=player_detailpage

Planning Learning Segment-Think about Prioritize-what am I really asking my students to do? What does the student need to learn to progress Target Goal What skills/abilities do you want them to develop? Build learning segment around skills and abilities not activities and facts What instructional strategies & learning tasks will you design? Support individual students Provide access to the curriculum

Questions to consider Can student participate in the lesson as is, what supports might be needed? How will I group students? (pairs, small group, cooperative groups) What are the students learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactile)? Will different materials be needed to ensure participation? What might the student struggle with? How can I modify instruction and support students?

MAKE IT MEANINGFUL How can you relate this information to past experience? How can you make connections to future learning? Why is this important? “Focus on opportunities to see, scaffold and showcase the process of your teaching.” TPA Tips (Kelly & Walters 2012)

Effective Strategies Specify clear lesson objectives Teach directly to the objectives Make learning as concrete and meaningful as possible Provide time for practice and feedback Model-note taking, metacognitive strategies, problem solving Actively engage students-use a variety of instructional strategies Scaffold instruction Consider different learning styles (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Tactile)

How do you Scaffold learning Model performance while thinking aloud Pair advanced learners with developing ones Provide prompts, links, guides and structure (Graphic Organizers) Fade when appropriate

I-We-You Tell me-direct instruction Show me-guided practice Let me-independent practice Ask me-communicate, think aloud

Why Use Graphic Organizers? Classify ideas, link information Structure thoughts for writing Problem solving Studying Reviewing Planning Brainstorming

Strategies for struggling students Sequence-break down the task, step by step prompts. Drill-repetition and practice review-daily testing of skills, repeated practice, daily feedback, Segment-break down target skill into smaller units and then synthesize the parts into a whole. Control the difficulty of the processing demands of the task-task is sequenced from easy to difficult and only necessary prompts or probes are provided Technology-use a computer, structured text, flow charts, to facilitate presentation, emphasis on pictorial representations. Group Instruction-Instruction occurs in small group Strategy Clues-reminders to use strategies or multi-steps, the teacher verbalizes problem solving or procedures to solve, instruction uses think-aloud models. *Excerpted from Swanson, H.L. (1999). Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 14(3).

Successful Teachers Provide a variety of opportunities for students to use knowledge and skills in different situations Use Active Hands On student learning Vary Instructional Practices and modes of teaching Offer Real-World practical examples

Visual, auditory kinesthetic “Getting’ Triggy Wit It” www.watchknowlearn.org/Video.aspx?VideoID=32538 Check out Mr. Duey on Fractions! www.teachertubemrduey