Standard 2: Learning Differences
The InTASC Standard Two focuses on learning differences and how a teacher should be aware of these differences whether they are individual or cultural. The teacher should create inclusive learning spaces, so that every student can meet high expectations. I will discuss how diverse text sets, visual learning, and Lexia demonstrate standard two of learning differences.
Diverse Text Set: As an English teacher, I will use diverse texts with differentiated versions like graphic novels, novels in other languages, or audio books to accommodate students that need. In the Reading in the Content Area class, I created a text set based on the theme of identity. With this theme, I focused on diverse identities and chose books that ranged from a variety of Lexile levels. This demonstrates the standard of learning differences as the text set involves texts meant for readers with varying reading abilities. This text set also represents a broader range of cultures and identities, affirming and celebrating students’ backgrounds.
Visual Learning and Identification: After reading the provided passages about microplastic pollution, students were instructed to draw an animal or a piece of plastic waste mentioned in the article. These instructions were verbally given and written on the board. I drew an aquarium and a recycling bin on the white board as a set space for their drawings. This activity gave them guided creative freedom and encourages the creation of visuals to better understand the passage for their integrated reading and writing (IRW) essay. This demonstrates standard two of learning differences as visual learning is a helpful tool for all kinds of learners.
Lexia: Lexia is an online learning program that has students work on a variety of reading skills like grammar, comprehension, and word study. Roanoke City Public Schools requires students to be on Lexia at least an hour a week. Lexia works in levels and provides students differentiation that caters to their academic needs. This demonstrates the standard of learning differences since Lexia adapts to the student’s learning, so students with learning differences are able to work on grammar, comprehension, and word study in their own appropriate pace and difficulty.
