Differentiated Instruction
This section highlights lesson plans, assessments, and instructional materials designed to meet the diverse needs of all learners. These examples reflect my commitment to creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms where every learner can thrive.
Oxymoron and Paradox worksheet
This worksheet was used during a poetry unit to help students identify and apply the literary devices of oxymoron and paradox. To support students with special education needs, I created an adapted version with fewer items and simplified expectations. While the general class completed the full worksheet and wrote multiple original sentences using the terms, special education students were given fewer prompts and allowed to write in Spanish when needed. This ensured all students could engage with the material at an appropriate level while still practicing the key concepts.
Pre-Test Elements of Poetry
This diagnostic assessment was designed to evaluate students’ understanding of key elements of poetry prior to beginning the unit. The standard version of the test included 50 multiple-choice items. To accommodate students with special education needs, I created an adapted version that included only 25 questions, reducing cognitive load while maintaining content alignment. This allowed me to assess each student's starting point fairly and adjust instruction based on their specific needs and readiness levels.
Figurative Language Worksheet
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This artifact is a multiple-choice assessment used to review figurative language concepts such as simile, metaphor, hyperbole, and personification. For the general student population, the quiz included 14 questions, each with four answer choices. To support special education students, I provided a differentiated version that included only 7 questions and reduced the number of answer options from four to two. This adaptation helped reduce anxiety, increase accessibility, and allow students to focus on demonstrating their understanding without being overwhelmed by excessive choices.
Kahoot Quizzes as Differentiated Instruction
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In my EDPE 4246 course, I used Kahoot as a formative assessment tool to check for student understanding of key concepts such as types of conflict and setting in nonfiction texts. These quizzes provided immediate feedback and allowed me to gauge how well students grasped the material in a fun and interactive way. Their game-based, visual format made the content more accessible for all learners, especially those who benefit from alternative assessment methods.
While these Kahoot activities are highlighted in the Multimedia section of this portfolio, they also demonstrate how instruction and assessment were differentiated to support diverse learning styles and engagement levels.