Professional Development 2023-2024

  By Sarah Harmon Day 1: Video & Audio Books Digital libraries allow students to read books using audio and/or visual input. Sharma (2023) suggests that allowing students to listen or watch books in pairs or small groups creates a group activity around technology that supports interactive learning. Since the lesson’s focus is on story elements rather than reading fluency, differentiation includes allowing students to hear the story or see the story. Also, this method would allow students to pause or stop and discuss with one another, which engages them. Digital libraries and listening platforms such as Youtube, Vooks, Epic, PBS Kids, Harper Kids or LibriVox can bring in more varieties of books that are culturally diverse. Dwyer (2016) says that students must first have access to knowledge to open their minds and awareness which digital literacy supports. Being present and observing the room can help ensure the technology is being used appropriately, as well as a short exit t...

  By Sarah Harmon Instructional Strategies to Differentiate & Engage Leaners An integral part of teaching is differentiation because not all learners learn the same or encounter content at the same level of experience. “Teachers need to create a variety of entry points to ensure that students' differing abilities, strengths, and needs are all taken into consideration.” (Watson, 2020) Learners experience content differently and teachers teach content differently. It would make sense that the focus should be learner centered rather than content centered. Anyone can present information but educators guide and facilitate learning of content through the process of constant feedback and adjusting. Learning is an active process and the teacher must adapt to the present situation rather than make teaching static. A major part of planning the ELA lesson came from the learning style inventory, conversations, observations, and data on students that helped me understand their readiness to ...