Competency 2:
The teacher is aware of the diversity of the student population and provides instruction that is appropriate for all students. In Chapter 3, “Focusing the Reader” of Deeper Reading, Kelly Gallagher provides pre-service teachers with a greater understanding of the importance of frontloading students with background knowledge of readings. She explains through an anecdote that prior knowledge leads students to be “better prepared to read more, to comprehend more, and to learn more” (26). Without prior knowledge, students are unable to understand and retain information as well because, as Gallagher explains, it “helps you attach meaning when reading the passage” (27). Teachers should gauge students’ prior knowledge to the text before beginning with a unit to understand how to teach their students in a more meaningful manner. There are two key elements that Gallagher points out, through the reading of David Sousa, in how to frame information for students: “…be certain that today’s curriculum contains connections to their past experiences, not just [the teacher’s]… [And] how a person feels about a learning situation determines the amount of attention devoted to it” (28-29). These two points mean that: a teacher must connect students to personal experiences in order to bring to light universal issues in a text that they may not necessarily connect with on their own, and a teacher must be able to show purpose in the text that is “valid and worthwhile” (29) for the
Personalized Learning for Diverse Learners: This requires teachers to have knowledge and skills to customize learning for all learners irrespective of their usually diverse backgrounds and differences. To be more effective, teachers need to provide multiple approaches to each student.
One of the first things that this author would do is to teach students how to make connections while reading. When students make personal connections with what they are reading by using their prior knowledge, it helps them to retain information. There are three main types of connections we make while reading text; we can make connections to what we are reading and our own experiences in life, we can make connections from one book to another (like reading a Nancy Drew book and reading a Trixie Belden book), and we can make connections to what we are reading and things that are going on in the world around us. By helping Jose learn to make connections while he reads, Jose will be able to more readily remember what he has read and make sense of it (Comprehension Strategies, n.d.).
Why do pre-reading strategies that activate prior knowledge and raise interest in the subject prepare students to approach text reading in a critical frame of mind?
Schools often require reading materials containing unfamiliar subjects to students. Recognizing that there is significance for critical understanding of the text itself as well as the act of reading, this explains why many students today struggle with reading material that is not relevant to their lifestyle. Freire portrays that by the statement, "reading the world precedes reading the word, and reading the word implies continually reading the world" (Freire 286). A person should read their world, and then interpret it. They can then use their existential experience of the world to connect to what they are reading in print, and better understand it.
To assist students to “read with purpose and anticipation,” Vacca et al. (2014, p. 173) suggests, in their book Content Area Reading: Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum, that teachers need to “create an instructional context” that activates their students’ “prior knowledge” and helps them to become interested in a lesson. Throughout chapter six, “Activating Prior Knowledge and Interest,” Vacca et al. (2014, pp. 172-173) explain instructional strategies that can lead students to “read with purpose and anticipation.” This chapter presents the reader with a plethora of instructional strategies and means for applying them, along with example for real educators. As I journeyed through this chapter, I discovered many instructional strategies,
Today in classrooms there will be any students that come from different backgrounds. It is the teacher’s reasonability to make sure that each student feels welcoming in the classroom whether they come from a different background or not. Teachers need to make sure that they know their students and were their students come from. By doing this the teacher can create relationships with their students and the teacher can use that information to incorporate in the classroom.
training in order to effectively meet the ever growing diverse population of students. Since diversity and inclusion are beneficial to both educators and students, it is crucial that initiatives are enhanced to ensure these practices are implemented, maintained and supported in the education system.
The teacher uses the understanding of differences in individuals, cultures, and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet rigorous standards.
Adapting the curriculum to meet the requirements for a diverse range of student skills, abilities and backgrounds, whilst endorsing learning engagement in a safe and secure learning environment within today’s classrooms provides challenges for teachers. Thus the following essay intents to convey the importance of specifically designing activities to actively engage learners and appreciate the value in catering for differentiation among learners.
She states that the only way students’ reading levels, vocabulary and background knowledge and stamina to read will grow is by allowing students to read challenging books (p.4). In addition, the author goes on to say if students can read books on their own then it is not a useful book to study. However, in order to aid students while reading challenging books teachers need to utilize Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. In order to make certain that students are prepared for the real world, teachers need to plan ahead to ensure that students understand what they are
Like it or not, there has always been diversity among students in the classroom. It is the fact that each and every student is unique. From every circumstance, students bring a varying set of values, perspectives, and beliefs to the learning environment. Understanding the character of students is important in order to become a competent teacher. In fact, teachers should be aware and recognize students, as unique individuals, all acquire information differently than others. Some of these differences are due to developmental variations in cognitive, physical, intellectual, moral, emotional, and social changes caused by maturation and experience. And this reality of classroom conditions makes instruction much more challenging for teachers and
Diversity and Inclusion: I will approach diversity by embracing and being open to learning about other people and their families. I would make sure everyone is included and make sure students are respectful and open to diversity. I will adapt instructions if needed to meet the needs of a class or an individual student. I would adapt a lesson for an individual student if that student is struggling or needs extra help to make sure everyone is learning effectively.
Teachers who are able to analyze the characteristics of diverse learners, individually, have an understanding of the motivation, behavior factors, and various learning styles that play a role in the learning process. Furthermore, teachers should have knowledge of different cultural heritage, and understand that cultural perspective plays an important role in motivating a student. With these considerations, the educator is able to incorporate instruction styles and strategies that will focus on the specific learning needs and different cultural backgrounds of each individual student.
I will meet the diverse needs and learning styles of my students by making sure that I have the classroom in control. I will talk about the diverse needs once a week to teach my students about how important it is to know about this subject.
I believe a successful learning experience is engaging and valued by the students. I believe students’ will value what they are learning if they believe what they’re learning is relevant. Relevance is important to teaching and learning because it is directly related to student engagement and motivation (Frymier & Schulman, 1995; Martin & Dowson, 2009). Marsh (2008), states a positive classroom environment provides a sense of security, community, belonging and identity (Marsh, 2008). Based on my experience as a practicing teacher, I have found establishing clear expectations within the classroom assist in maintaining control and discipline, to create a safe learning environment (Fatt Hee, 1996). I believe within all classrooms, students’ diversity should be valued. This creates a discrimination free environment and ensures students feel safe and included (Philips, 2010). According to Stanford & Parkay (2007) students are more engaged in class when learning experiences are satisfying, challenging and friendly.