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Reflective Statement

Artifact: ELL Math Lesson Plan

Professional STANDARD 3 – Diversity

The competent teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning
and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
3B. understands the process of second language acquisition and strategies to support the
learning of students whose first language is not English.
3D. understands and identifies differences in approaches to learning and performance,
including different learning styles, multiple intelligences, and performance modes.

1. Fully state the standard in bold text. Then write a paragraph explaining your knowledge and
understanding of the standard—put the standard into your own words.

This standard is saying that I, as a teacher, understand how every student in my classroom is

different and varies in their approaches to learning. As a result, I will provide instructional

opportunities that cater to the needs of my students and are accommodating for diverse learners.

This standard is saying that I understand how to teach second language students, and that I will

support the learning of those whose first language is not English. I am also able to understand

and identify the differences in my students’ approaches to learning, including different styles of

learning, multiple intelligence levels, and performance modes.

2. Explain how the artifact you chose demonstrates your understanding and application of the
standard.

This math lesson that is adapted for English Language Learners demonstrates my understanding

and application of this standard because I wrote the lesson in order to be sensitive to and provide

for the needs of students whose first language is not English. I did so by defining important

vocabulary terms and placing them on the board with visual representations of them as well. I

demonstrated the activity on the board using visual M&Ms, and then asked the students to work

on completing a related worksheet in partners. For this activity, I allowed the ELLs to b paired

together so that they may discuss the problems and solutions in their first language. Not only
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that, but I scaffold the lesson by providing a link back to previously learned concepts so that the

students were reminded of their prior knowledge. On the back of the worksheet, the students

were also instructed to finish the sentence, “I solved this problem by...” and describe how they

were able to finish the equations. The teacher included a summary or review at the end of class,

where the students used large representations of M&Ms on the board to show visually how they

reached their conclusions. The class shared aloud how they reached each of their answers, and

ever question that the teacher posed was directed in a basic, uncomplicated way.

3. A If the artifact has been used in your practice, reflect on how your teaching will change in
the future to further meet the standard.
B If the artifact has not been used in your practice, i.e., a class assignment, reflect upon how
your teaching will be impacted by the assignment.

This lesson has not been used in my practice, but my teaching will be impacted by this lesson

because it identifies and puts into practice many different ways to provide for the needs of ELLs.

There are many strategies that are spoken about and discussed in classes and amongst other

teachers, but until they are added to and infiltrated into lesson planning, they are not fully

understood. Creating this lesson solidified those strategies and made them easier to access and

utilize in the future when I am planning to accommodate for English as a second language

students in my classroom.

4. Conclude with a paragraph discussing how you are more prepared to Teach and Learn in a
Diverse Society as a result of satisfactorily meeting the standard.

I am more prepared to teach in a Diverse Society as a result of meeting this standard because I

have now planned lessons that observe student behavior, identify a need for learning

accommodations, implement strategies, and better the learning of those students in need.

Writing this lesson plan helped me to realize the importance of making accommodations for
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diverse learners. Completing this lesson taught me how simple it can be, but how effective it can

be as well. Accommodations are the only way that the playing field can be leveled for all

students in a diverse community of learners.