Gotta Catch 'Em All

When teaching a lesson how do you "catch 'em all"?  That is, how do you keep all students engaged and how can you provide access points for all student?

In my last post I discussed what I learned about behavior management from ITL 608, but the real focus of the class was understanding the learning map and how to create effective learning plans using Universal Design Learning, or UDL, and the six elements, teaching standards, the big question, student knowledge, student skills, learners' needs, and the teacher.  Effective learning plans take these parts into consideration to benefit the student by creating lessons that are accessible and help the student growth.  These help the teacher by creating lessons that are effective and minimize behavior issues due to student confusion.

Using the knowledge I have gained from this class I will implement learning plans that follow the learning map.  These will take into consideration what they will learn in terms of content and social-emotional growth and include a reflection of how the lesson went and what can be improved.  I will also implement more formative assessments to help make adjustments on the fly and help students who are struggling to catch up before the lesson is over or it is too late make up the difference in knowledge.

This ties closely to:

TPE 4: Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for All Students

4. Plan, design, implement and monitor instruction, making effective use of instructional time to maximize learning opportunities and provide access to the curriculum for all students by removing barriers and providing access through instructional strategies that include: • appropriate use of instructional technology, including assistive technology; • applying principles of UDL and MTSS; • use of developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate learning activities, instructional materials, and resources for all students, including the full range of English learners; • appropriate modifications for students with disabilities in the general education classroom; • opportunities for students to support each other in learning; and • use of community resources and services as applicable.

The following is an example lesson plan that I created based on what what I had learned from the class and teacher observations that I had made during the course:

Field Experience Learning Plan

What is your understanding of UDL and how do you incorporate the specifics of you, your class, and your individual students into your lesson plans?  How will you catch 'em all?