Activity: Mentor a new teacher to enhance her skills in modifying curriculum/instruction

to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds or needs.

Description: While working as a mentor, assisted a new teacher to modify her
instruction to meet the needs of her e!ceptional needs students and students whose
religious affiliations did not allow them to participate in certain activities. "he teacher
had a student who was a #ehovah$s Witness, an Autistic child with an %&, and an AD'D
student who was not being medicated. We met several times throughout the year to
discuss the strategies that she was using and to reflect on how the strategies,
modifications, and accommodations were working. (ased on the documentation that she
was keeping, we were able to make changes to her plan so that her students were more
successful within the academic setting.
What went well)
*ne of the best things that happened was that we met consistently throughout the year.
was fortunate enough to have + student teachers throughout the year and , out of the +
were very competent so that gave me additional time to provide my mentee additional
support. We also made it a point to meet during our lunch so that we could discuss issues
that came up throughout the day. "his was great because it allowed us to brainstorm
solutions before problems got out of hand. t was also great that my mentee was open to
suggestions. We had a very good relationship and we were able to communicate openly
and honestly. We trusted one another and she knew that she could come to me with any
issue she was having. -inally, think that my mentee learned the importance of taking
the time to learn about each student$s background and how his or her background effects
his or her learning.
What did not)
"he one thing that wish could go back and do over is that wish had sat in on the
first set of parent teacher conferences. think that my mentee was very nervous and she
did not e!press everything that she needed to e!press during that first meeting with some
of her parents. "his lack of communication caused the parents to feel as if the teacher
was not knowledgeable or that she was not capable. "his was not true in the least bit, but
her communication skills were lacking and this was what was perceived. also wish that
the teacher could have had additional opportunities to go out and observe seasoned
teachers in action. .he is definitely a teacher who learns by watching and she would
have really benefited by observing others.

/iven the chance to do it again, how would you do it better)
f could go back and do this over again would definitely do a few things differently.
"he first thing that would do differently is that would attend the first round of
conferences with my mentee and would also encourage her to attend my conferences so
that she could have observed me in action. .ince had the lu!ury of having student
teachers, would have offered to cover her class more often so that she could have gone
and observed other teachers. -inally, would have continued to work with my mentee on
the importance of communication. Although she sent home folders on a daily basis do
not feel like she was using all modes of communication. would have sat down with her
and worked on using phone calls, written notes, newsletters, etc. as forms of
communications and would have also encouraged her to do more positive notices rather
than merely writing parents to inform them of negative situations.
-ormat for identifying the goals:
0. dentify the diverse backgrounds within the classroom.
1 #ehovah$s Witness
1 Autistic .tudent
1 AD'D
,. Determine the modifications/accommodations that would benefit each subgroup.
2ist the accommodations.
+. 3reate a file for each child so that documentation can be kept. 4otes should state
whether or not the modifications/accommodations are working or not.
/oals:
5 #ehovah$s Witness:
1 advance notice will be given to parents so they are aware of the curriculum
being taught and they can make informed decisions about what activities their child will
participate in.
1 6indergarten activities that will take place will be based on common core units
and teach cultures from around the world. Activities that will take place within the
school day will be based on these cultural activities that are found throughout the world.
1 .tudents will not be forced to participate in the pledge.
1 "he teacher will foster a feeling of community where students feel comfortable
within the classroom.
5 Autistic .tudent
1 "he teacher will work closely with the student$s case manager to make sure all
of the goals listed in the %& are being met.
1 "he teacher will implement a behavior plan and will initiate a plan for
communicating the student$s daily behavior with the parents.
1 "he teacher will work with the case manager to create a check in/check out
model to help with the student$s prevocational goals.
1 "he teacher will work with the student on transitions and she will follow1up with
related arts teachers for feedback.
1 A daily schedule will be posted.
1 3ommunication with the parents will occur daily.
5 AD'D .tudent
1 A behavior plan will be created.
1 Modified assignments will be given 7less problems, fewer problems at a time8.
1 Delivering instruction in small group settings and in chunks.
1 %!tended time will be given when necessary.
1 4onverbal cues will be established.
1 3heck lists will be created to help the student organi9e his materials.
1 (reaks will be given to the student as necessary.
1 "ime on task will be noted.
1 3ommunication with the parents will occur daily.