The Learner Development Standard requires that teachers know and understand how students develop across emotional, physical, social, linguistic and cognitive areas, and differentiate instruction in the classroom based on the individual needs of the students. Educators must create learning experiences that are engaging and developmentally appropriate for all the students in their classroom.
#1 Expectation Charts
I demonstrate the learner development standard by creating expectation charts for students’ desks. As seen in the photos, different students had different reminders taped to their desks that were related to their individual needs. Some students need visual aids to help them remember their morning routine which includes unpacking, turning in folders, sharpening pencils, and starting morning work. Expectation charts allow students who need extra reminders to stay on task while still working in an independent way. I used the Mario reminder for a student with autism who needed to be reminded of classroom behavior expectations. I also utilized a break “button” for this student when he needed to signal to me that he needed a break.
#2 Touch math charts for math intervention
Touch math charts are a great way to implement the learner development standard in the classroom. I use these charts to support students who struggle to identify the value of different coins. Each dot on a coin represents five cents of value. I use touch math charts in students’ interactive math notebooks during the beginning of a math unit. Students who need more support during a money unit can use the charts (which are glued into their interactive notebooks) to reinforce the information.
#3 Supporting English learners with visual aids
Addition
ally, I implemented the learner development standard by creating visual aids to remind my students of expected behaviors during whole group instruction. Each morning, I begin instruction with a SOAR (a school-wide behavior initiative) focus. During a short lesson on SOAR we learned about “good listener Gus.” When students get disruptive during whole group time, I direct their attention to “Gus” and they are quickly reminded of how to be excellent listeners. Visual aids are a great way to engage ELL students by giving them the visual, as well as oral instruction.