Lesson reflection DIFF 510

Part 1: Describe the lesson give a brief description of the lesson you taught, including
topic, time allotted, number of children, grade level, etc.
The lesson was a social studies lesson for a 3rd grade general education classroom. There are 23
students, age range of classmates is 8-10, students without exceptionalities is 12, students in
special education program is 5 but one more student is being identified, students in ALPHA
(gifted program) is 6. I had about 40 minutes to do the lesson.
I taught the students the four layers of the rainforest: emergent, canopy, understory and forest
floor. I used a picture of the rainforest to project onto the screen to show the different layers. I
put the names of each level and words describing each layer next to the layer on the picture. I
also put pictures of the animals that I described in each layer on the picture as well. The students
discussed why the animals might live at each layer.
Part 2: Describe the differentiation strategies you used how did you differentiated the
lesson, what student learning characteristics and/or interests were you targeting and how
did you address those needs or interests?
I broke the students up into three groups. One group I had write a poem describing the four
layers of the rainforest and give at least two animals that live in each layer. 2nd group had to draw
a picture of the four layers of the rainforest and draw at least two animals that live in each layer.
The 3rd group had to take pictures of trees, animals, and create a picture of the rainforest and
label each layer.
The gifted student I was working with has a learning style of visual/spatial and loves to draw. So
I made sure to give her an opportunity to draw what she learned. The struggling students
learning style is hands on, body/kinesthetic. The student was given the chance to create a picture
of the rainforest with his hands. He was able to use his hands to make the picture and help him
learn the layers of the rainforest. The students were also working in groups and could discuss
with other students what they learned and how they wanted to make the pictures.
Part 3: Data analysis what was your behavioral objective for the lesson, how did you
evaluate the students progress toward that objective? What do the results tell you about
their learning? What do the data indicate should be your next step in the teaching of this
material?
The students were to give thoughts and ideas throughout the lesson. They had to work together
as a group when they went to make their posters or song. The students had to demonstrate
where the four layers are and name two animals in each of them. All the groups were able to
label and describe the four layers and two animals that live in those layers. They understood and
comprehended enough from the lesson to demonstrate what they learned in their groups. The
next step would be to discuss the importance of the Rainforest. The students can deepen their
understanding of what makes up the rainforest and how it affects us.