EDUC 605 Inclusion of Students with Special Needs Artifact

Artifact Description
To demonstrate professional growth gained from previous learning during The Exceptional Child
course taken at Missouri Baptist University, I uploaded a lesson plan completed after
coursework. This lesson plan demonstrates my understanding of inclusion, students with special
needs, and least restrictive environment. This class focused on how to differentiate to all
exceptional learners, both learners beyond curriculum material and learners below. The theme of
this course was centered upon Allen Mendlers quote, Fair isnt always fair and equal isnt
always equal. Throughout the course, discussion centered around cooperative learning groups,
differentiation, instructional strategies to support exceptional learners, and student engagement.
The synthesis of this learning is all documented within the attached lesson plan on the reading
the story, The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco. Goals of this lesson plan were as
follows:
1. Apply knowledge gained class discussions on differentiation, exceptional
learners, and instructional strategies.
2. Reflection on professional practices within my own teaching setting, specifically
how I will/am implement(ing) gained knowledge.
3. Application of the practice of least restrictive environment and how to allow all
learners to feel success within the regular education setting.
Gaining knowledge of how to support all learners is an area that continues to develop throughout
my teaching experience. Continuing to adapt to my students and research new ways to support
those learners.
Professional Growth and Development
I am currently in my 5th year of teaching. I am working as a 6th grade reading teacher for the
Fox C-6 School District. Prior to this position, I taught 3rd and 4th grades, and 3-5 interventions
in different locations. Gaining expertise in reading instruction and exceptional learners is
something that has been a goal of mine since starting my career. Before taking this course I had
little understanding of exceptional learners and how to differentiate to those learners. Taking this
course gave me new perspective on exceptional learners and strategies that I can implement to
best support them. This class and gained knowledge has provided many opportunities for
growth. Some of the gained knowledge is as follows:
1. New understanding of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and what that looks
like for all learners.
2. Better understanding of Differentiation and how to meet all learners needs.
3. What research says about supporting exceptional students and how to apply that
into the classroom.
Impact on the PK-12 Learner

During and following participating in the Exceptional Child course, student learning has
improved through better differentiation and improved small group lessons. Student
understanding of concepts at their own individual level has improved. Students are now able to
be successful in their individual ways through accommodations that I am making as a teacher.
Students are acknowledging their own understanding and showing less frustration with
curriculum material. This has been accomplished through small group instruction, modification
of assignments, and cooperative learning groups. For example, a student who struggles with
math curriculum and gets overwhelmed by independent work, now is receiving guided math
lessons daily as well as a modified amount of problems to solve. The following practices to
impact my learners have been implemented:
1. Better use of small groups-all students are getting their specific needs addressed
through small group instruction based on assessment data. Students in higher need are
now meeting more frequently than students in need of less support. Student growth is
improving by this use of data and small group instruction.
2. Strong modifications and accommodations-understanding students IEP
modifications and accommodations and how to use these to best support their growth and
learning
3. Instructional Strategies-student engagement has improved through use of
engaging instructional strategies, such as interactive word wall activities and literacy
center activities.
Alignment to WI Teaching Standards
Standard 2-Teachers know how children grow
Throughout The Exceptional Child Course, development of children and their growth was a
key component of discussions and assignments. Much of my learning centered on
understanding how the average child develops and then looking at how exceptional children
differ in their development from the norm. Understanding these similarities and differences,
helped to strengthen my teaching for all learners. This understanding also allowed me to see
the developmental process and pin-point skill areas of need and work to progress the child in
those areas.
Standard 3-Teachers understand that children learn differently
During coursework of The Exceptional Child, we discussed many ways to address the needs
of all learners. Many instructional strategies were modeled and practiced throughout classes
that support all learners within the regular education setting. Other inclusion practices were
addressed, such as using the Class Within a Class model, push-in strategies, and targeting
specific student needs by pre- and post assessments.
Standard 7-Teachers are able to plan different types of lessons
Within the course, another key understanding gained was the importance of varying
instruction in a balanced way. Understanding how to make whole group lessons meaningful
for all students and then use small group lessons as a way to support each individual childs
understanding of concepts and skills taught within the curriculum. Having the opportunity to
practice planning and implementing these differentiated lessons gave me the perspective I
needed when I entered the career and has been a vital part of my planning since.

Alignment to Viterbo Standards

-Integrity-as we strive for honesty in everything we say and do
Within this course, integrity to our students was a theme that stuck out to me. Throughout my
career since taking this course, I have always kept my individual students as the center of my
planning and decision making. I have striven to provide the best possible learning for all of my
students rather than what the easiest method could be. This course strengthened this desire to be
a teacher of integrity, not only with colleagues, parents, and administrators, but with and for my
students.