By the end of the 2015/2016 school year, I would like to see all of my students make measurable progress in all developmental areas. Due to the diverse nature of my classroom population (special needs, ELL, at-risk students), a multi-modal approach to learning is needed to support all learners.
My classroom is an integrated program that services students from the age of 3 to 5.
Students who are 3 and young 4 attend the program in the morning, and students that are 4 and 5 attend in the afternoon. Our integrated program contains students being serviced on an IEP for a variety of disabilities, as well as typical peer models. These typical peer models are considered to be at risk due to family income level, ELL and transitioning from early intervention without an individual education plan. Experiences out of the home environment are limited for most of my students.
My school's student population is over 60% low income and qualifies as a title 1 school. Many supports (title 1, reading recovery, ELL, specialists) are in place to guide students learning and target their needs.
My Project
Students have been learning about eggs and the various animals that come from eggs. During our farm unit we discussed and made the life cycle of the chicken. This unit was followed by a two week dinosaur unit that discussed where dinosaurs came from, and how discovering fossils gave us information about the dinosaurs.
To extend this concept and learning, we are planning a spring unit that engages the students in the life cycle of the butterfly, bugs and Cape Cod pond life (frogs, turtles). With the materials provided, students will have a hands-on experience of observing the life cycle of the butterfly, ladybug and frog. Caring for the animals and gaining an understanding of what the animals need to survive in their habitats will be addressed during instruction and daily activities. Games provided will teach math concepts, build language skills that support ELA standards, strengthen fine motor skills,and support science vocabulary.
As stated, many students have limited experiences due to special needs challenges, income hardships, and challenging home environments.
Providing them with real life experiences, as well as hands-on activities to promote learning and understanding will impact students engagement and strengthen their ability to access the curriculum in a meaningful manner.
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