Artifact Title: Learning in Different Ways.

(A math lesson plan)

Date: November 3rd, 2014

Artifact Description
I never really understood what differentiation really, truly meant until I did my student teaching.
I became more aware of this when I was up in front of the class teaching and had firsthand
experience with it. I was challenged with coming up with different lessons that met every
students needs. I was finally clearly able to understand what it really meant to be a teacher.

Artifact Reflection
I believe this experience best aligns with standard three of the Wisconsin Teacher Development
and Licensure Standards which states: The teacher understands how pupils differ in their
approaches to learning and the barriers that impede learning and can adapt instruction to meet the
diverse needs of pupils, including those with disabilities and exceptionalities. This experience
best aligns with standard three because while student teaching, I was confronted with the task of
making lessons so that they fit the needs of all of my students. I realized that I could not just
teach in one way. I had to learn how to make my lessons adaptable and use different tactics to
reach all of my students. I needed to include spoken instruction, visual instruction, and hands on
instruction for my students to learn best. This experience has helped me to learn so much. It took
a lot of practice while teaching my lessons, but with practice, I realized and understood how I
could adapt lessons to meet my students needs.
UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment
I believe this experience best aligns with KSD3.e. of the UW-Platteville School of Education
Knowledge, Skill and Disposition statements which states: The candidate has the ability to
make proper adjustments to his/her instruction and accommodates students questions and
interests while being aware of student differences and difficulties, and can use a wide range of
resources and strategies to meet all students needs in the classroom. I am now more competent
in this area because I have had hands on experience with differentiation. My knowledge of this
topic continues to grow every day that I am teaching in the classroom. I am having more and
more realizations as time goes on. I am more aware of what I need to be doing for my class. My
experience best aligns with this KSD because I had to learn how to differentiate for my class to
make them successful learners.
Secondary KSD Alignment: KSD1.c.

Artifact Reflection
What I learned about teaching/learning:
I learned that a teacher really needs to know their students to allow good instruction to take
place. I have learned that I need to incorporate different learning techniques that reach my
students needs. I need to use visual and hands on learning for the current group of students I am

working with. I have learned this by observing them to see how each student learns best. This
shows just how important it is for a teacher to know their students.

What I learned about myself as a prospective educator

I have learned that I will need to get to know every group of future students I work with so I can
assess how they learn best. I know that each group will learn different and require different needs
for learning properly. This experience has really taught me a lot about differentiation and
meeting my students needs. I now have a better understanding of what this is all really about.