Working with Students Who Have Different Abilities

Dates: February 11, 2013 - April 22, 2013

Artifact description:
These artifacts are of lesson plans from when I volunteered once a week at the Platteville
High School for Introduction to Inclusion. At the high school, I worked with two students who
had serve disabilities. During the day, I would assist the students in math, reading, and their life
skills class. The lesson plans shows more in detail in what I assisted with and at what time during
the day.
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment:
This experience best aligns with Wisconsin Teacher Standard 3, The teacher understands
how pupils differ in their approaches to learning and barriers that impede learning can adapt
instruction to meet the diverse needs of the pupils, including those with disabilities and
exceptionalities. This artifact best relates to this standard because when working with those two
students, I had to teach in a way that they could understand the information. This required me to
step out of my comfort zone and give instructions in many different ways. The experience made
me more knowledgeable about different ways to teach and gave me many ideas of how to give
out information so that it would fit the needs of the students. This experience also relates to
Standard Three because a daily schedule was put in for the students own personal development.
Every day a schedule and behavior charts were talked about and posted all over the room. This
was a way to help the students with their own personal development.
As a result of this experience, I am better equipped to work with students who have
different abilities. When working with those two students, it gave me many ideas of how to have

students understand information. For example I learned how useful using flash cards were and
how important it is to bring in manipulatives for the students to work with. Not only that but this
experience really gave me an insight to how difficult it can be for a student if a teacher isnt
willing to a change his/her teaching style to meet the intellectual development of the student.
Also, this experience has taught me on how important it is for students, to see their own progress.
By giving the students the praise and support they need, it can make all the difference in what
kind of day the student will have. By letting the students know how great they did, can really
have a positive effect on the whole day and create independence in the student.

UW-Platteville School for Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment:

Primary KSD
This artifact best aligns with KSD3.C., Engages students in learning The candidate
makes an accurate and thoughtful reflection of his/her teaching effectiveness, is aware of
specific elements of his/her teaching that contributed to successful instruction, and can offer
alternative teacher action to predict the future successes of alternate approaches.
During my experience, it was really important that students were being active learners in
every lesson that was taught. All of the activities had to be developmentally appropriate and
interesting. By picking topics that the students were interested in and relating it to the core work,
it helped the students stay engaged. Also, it helped with not having the students misbehave or act
out. By keeping the students on a good pace of work, it helped accomplish goals the student
needed to reach.

By picking a topic and relating to the core subjects, the students were excited to learn and
do the practice work. For example one student was very interested in history, everything having
to do with wars and the army he loved. When it was time for the student to have reading time, a
lot more reading got done if it was about history and the comprehension level of the student was
greater because he was paying more attention to the information. When the student was able to
pick the topic, it helped him be actively engaged in learning. Also the student was able to
comprehend more and was actively participating in learning.
Secondary KSD:
KSD2.a- Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
KSD1.f- Assesses Student Learning
Personal Reflection:
What I have learned about teaching/ learning:
Through this experience, I learned that not all students process content the same way. I
learned that when I teach, I need to change my styles and technique to fit the student. Working
with these two students had opened my eyes on just how difficult it can be to understand
something if it isnt to their style of learning. Also, I learned that I need to think of creative ways
to make sure the students are actively learning in the classroom.
What I learned as a future educator.
As a future educator, I need to be able to keep the classroom interesting and make sure
every student is actively learning. I also need to keep in mind what works for one student may
not work for another and figuring out a new technique for that student to learn the information is
my responsibility.