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Part 2
A fundamental aspect of teaching is developing a comprehensive plan to guide students' learning.
This lesson plan serves as the foundation for any successful lesson, giving teachers the ability to
provide students with a clear path to follow in their education. As a kindergarten teacher, I
understand the importance of developing a well-structured unit plan that identifies the desired
outcomes of the unit, such as state content standards, expected performances, long-term
understandings, essential questions, knowledge, and skills. The Stage 1 planning process is
critical to developing an effective curriculum that meets each student's unique needs. Teachers
can identify the essential topics that must be covered, determine the most effective teaching
strategies and resources, and set attainable goals for their students during this phase. This
procedure allows teachers to ensure that their lessons are in line with state standards and relevant
to their students' lives. Teachers who plan ahead of time can identify potential obstacles that may
arise during the learning process and devise effective solutions to overcome them. This proactive
approach helps to foster a positive learning environment in which students feel encouraged and
supported to succeed.
Identifying Desired Results in Stage 1
In early childhood education, self-identity development is an important aspect of a child's growth
and development. The "All About Myself" unit provides an excellent opportunity for
kindergarten students to investigate their identities and learn more about themselves. As a result,
the teacher chose to focus on four content standards: social studies, English language arts,
science, and visual arts. The social studies standard's goal is for students to understand the
concepts of self, family, and community. Students can develop a positive sense of self and
strengthen relationships with their peers by recognizing different types of families and discussing
their own. The goal of English language arts is to help students improve their language and
communication skills. Students can effectively express their emotions and feelings through group
discussions and the exchange of ideas, which is critical for establishing relationships with their
classmates and teachers. Students must understand the human body and its functions in order to
pass the science standard. Students can develop a fundamental understanding of how their bodies
work by identifying fundamental body parts and their functions. Students can improve their fine
motor skills and creative expression in visual arts by creating self-portraits with various art
materials.
Content Standards
Kindergartners are at a critical developmental stage, and an all-encompassing plan to support
their growth in all areas is essential. The "All About Me" unit is designed to increase students'
self-awareness and understanding of their surroundings. In social studies, students are introduced
to the concepts of self, family, and community. Children gain an appreciation for their unique
qualities and develop positive interpersonal relationships through activities such as identifying
body parts and discussing families. They also recognize different types of families, which
increases their appreciation for diversity and tolerance of others.
The unit in English language arts focuses on the development of language and communication
skills. Students will express their emotions and feelings through words and actions, which will
help them develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Furthermore, the students
participate in group discussions and exchange ideas, which improves their listening and speaking
skills, which are important for their social development.
Through the study of science, students gain an understanding of the human body and its
functions in this unit. It is critical that they learn the basic body parts and their functions for their
overall health and well-being. They begin to recognize the importance of taking care of their
bodies and, as a result, develop healthy habits.
Finally, visual arts are an important component of the "All About Myself" unit. Students are
given the opportunity to create self-portraits with a variety of art supplies, allowing them to
develop their creativity and fine motor skills. Through these activities, the children learn to
express themselves creatively and develop their own identities.
UDL Specific "Planning Pyramid" to Cater to Diverse Learning Needs
To ensure that every student has equal access to learning opportunities, teachers must address
students' diverse learning needs. To achieve this, the teacher in question developed a UDL-
specific "Planning Pyramid," a powerful tool for differentiating instruction to meet the needs of
all students. This pyramid defines what all students should know, understand, and be able to do,
what most students will know, understand, and be able to do, and what some students will know,
understand, and be able to do.
The pyramid ensures that all students can access the curriculum by providing a variety of options
for representation, expression, and engagement. For students who require additional visual aids,
for instance, the teacher can incorporate visual elements such as images, diagrams, or videos into
the lesson. For students who require more interactive learning experiences, the instructor can
provide engaging hands-on activities such as experiments or simulations. Research indicates that
UDL principles effectively support diverse student learning needs. In fact, UDL has been
demonstrated to improve academic achievement, increase student engagement, and decrease
classroom behavioral issues (Rose & Gravel, 2019). By developing a UDL-specific "Planning
Pyramid," the teacher not only caters to the individual needs of each student, but also promotes a
more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Research Supporting UDL Strategies in Teaching
The application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies has been demonstrated to be
beneficial for teaching diverse student populations. UDL principles, according to Rose and
Meyer (2018), promote equity and access to learning opportunities for all students, regardless of
their learning styles or abilities. By providing multiple modes of representation, expression, and
participation, UDL can help students reach their full potential and become independent learners.
Furthermore, according to a National Center on Universal Design for Learning study, UDL
principles can increase student engagement and academic achievement. According to the
findings of the study, students who received UDL instruction demonstrated higher levels of
motivation, self-regulation, and content comprehension than students who did not receive UDL
instruction (CAST, 2018). UDL principles are supported by research as effective teaching
strategies for diverse learners. Teachers can foster an inclusive learning environment that
promotes the success of all students by designing flexible and accessible instruction.
The "All About Myself" unit is not only a fun and engaging way for kindergarteners to learn, but
it is also necessary for their early childhood education. It is critical to provide young children
with a safe and inclusive learning environment that promotes their growth and development as
they form their own identities. This unit helps students develop a healthy sense of self, self-
awareness, and self-confidence, while also fostering positive peer relationships. A UDL-specific
planning pyramid can help students in the "All About Myself" unit meet their diverse learning
needs. UDL strategies promote equity and equal access to learning opportunities for all students,
regardless of learning style or ability. The pyramid outlines the expectations for what all students
should know, understand, and be able to do, what most students will be able to achieve, and what
some students may require additional assistance to achieve. This approach ensures that all
students have equal access to and participation in the learning experience, thereby leveling the
playing field for all.
Engaging Question: How can we create more inclusive learning environments that cater to the
diverse learning needs of all students?
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References
CAST. (2018). Universal design for learning guidelines version 2.2. Retrieved from
http://udlguidelines.cast.org
National Council of Teachers of English. (2016). English language arts standards. Retrieved from
https://www.ncte.org/standards/common-core-state-standards/english-language-arts
Rose, D. H., & Gravel, J. W. (2019). Universal design for learning guidelines version 2.2. CAST
Professional Publishing.
Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners.
ASCD.
Tomlinson, C. A., & McTighe, J. (2006). Integrating differentiated instruction and understanding
by design: Connecting content and kids. ASCD.