Porsche Chun

Artifact 1 Valentines Day mini lesson

Standard #2: Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual
differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning
environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
I chose to use my Valentines Day mini lesson as evidence to show my
understanding of learning differences. This mini lesson was completed in my student
teaching classroom of fourth graders. Although my student teaching classroom is not an
inclusion classroom we invited the SPED classroom of fourth and fifth graders to join us
for a Valentines Day math activity. We often invite them to participate in small activities
with us to teach the students how to work together.
This lesson plan included the use of candies, which was very enticing for all the
students and fractions. Students were able to complete math worksheets on fractions
using their candies. Each student was assigned to a specific table. Each table had
approximately five students on it and of those five students there were at least one to two
SPED students. The SPED teacher grouped her students based on their ability levels and
we randomly assigned our students to tables. During the activity there were four adults
walking around the room to assist the students.
During the activity I noticed that a lot of the mainstream students were assisting
the SPED students complete their worksheet. They were being the teacher. One situation
in particular involved a mainstream student teaching a SPED student how to complete
one of the problems. Then, another SPED student on the same table was having trouble
solving that problem. The SPED student who had just learned how to solve the problem
decided to teach him how to do it. I really thought that it was excellent that they were all
working together and learning from each other.

Therefore, I believe that this Valentines Day mini lesson demonstrates my

understanding of learning differences. I feel like this experience has made me aware of
how to work with SPED students in a mainstream classroom. I hope to work with SPED
students again in the future.