Final Synthesis

This is that blog entry that always comes when one thing ends and something new begins. TE 402 Math/Literacy is finished and the internship process is that much closer.

When I think back to major themes that have stuck out to me over the course of this semester in this class, I can hear DIFFERENTIATION being screamed so loudly. The literacy component of this class inspired me so much to explore what it really means to differentiate lessons to accommodate the needs of the learners in my classroom. As a special education major, I’ve heard about differentiation in every single CEP course I’ve taken; however, the application process of differentiating is something new and different.

This course inspired me to read a text on differentiation instruction in mixed-ability classrooms by Tomlinson. I have to say, if there is one major thing that I’m taking with me from this semester, it is the actual implementation of differentiated lesson planning.

My field placement this semester has allowed me to work one-on-one with four focus/target students, all whom have varying academic support needs. The requirements of this class, to actually teach one-on-one lessons and/or small group’s lessons, have allowed me the opportunity to move away from the large group focus and really see the significance of knowing who your learners are. I have learned so much about these four students from our one-on-one lessons that I can’t imagine trying to teach them without knowing the things that I know.

The importance of knowing your students has never before been made so clear to me. I am very glad that I can walk away from this class having this kind of knowledge.

As an educator of students with special needs I will be focusing a lot on small group/individualized lesson plans. In the field of deaf education, most deaf/hard of hearing students attend school with 100% hearing friends. The role of a deaf education then becomes very individualized. Therefore, the opportunities that I’ve been provided with during this course have, and will be, a very important piece of my future career.