Module 3: Focus Learners
Student: 7 years old first grade / Male : autistic disorder and anxiety he doesn’t have myopia, he has spatial disorder.He in inclusive classroom. THE REST, ALL THE SAME CAN BE WRITTEN, ONLY THAT HERE IS NO PLAGIARISM!!!Plaese!!!
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After developing your focus learner profiles, post it on the
discussion board.
· Each Candidate will post at least three (3)
questions about their own Focus Learner assets (knowledge of learners: personal, cultural, and community) to one of his/her peers.
· Comment on one other candidate’s post by answering their 3 questions. Ask three additional questions about other candidate’s focus learner’s.
IMPORTANT: Your description of the Focus Learner profiles should include the following information:
·
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Skills, strengths (Present Levels of Performance – PLOP) for Reading/Language Art, Math, Speech/Language
· Aspirations and passions (interests)
· Likes and dislikes
· Life experiences
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Languages spoken
· How the student likes to learn
· Struggles or potential barriers to learning (Social-emotional and
· Academic challenges)
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Cultural, ethnic background
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Socio-economic level(s)
·
Anything else the teacher deems important
IMPORTANT:
Before you submit this assessment, review the How do I select a focus learner and the checklist below:
“How do I select a focus learner? The focus learner must have an exceptionality identified on his/her individualized educational program/plan (i.e., IEP, IFSP or other plans).
Select a learner that is representative of the varied/range of learner needs on your caseload or in your class. The focus learner selected should have multiple learning or support needs (do not select a focus learner with the fewest needs). You want to be able to demonstrate your ability to meet the complex needs of a learner. As a candidate, you are not evaluated on whether your focus learner is able to respond correctly to each learning task. You are evaluated on your ability to plan for, respond to, and evaluate and assess the focus learner’s strengths and needs. A learner with varied challenges will provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your skill in planning, instruction, and assessment. At least one of these needs (academic needs, identified by an IEP goal or support needs, identified by either an IEP goal and/or required accommodations/modifications) must be aligned with the focus learner’s IEP. The learning goal you develop or the specific planned supports to help the focus learner achieve the learning goal must be based on the focus learner’s IEP. Finally, because you are required to document that learner’s performance over several days, you will want to choose a focus learner who typically has consistent attendance.” (SCALE (2018).
Making Good Planning Choices Instruction in Special Education. Retrieved January 6, 2021, from
http://www.edtpa.com/Content/Docs/edTPAMGC_SE Links to an external site.
IMPORTANT: Use self-checklist before you submit this assignment:
Checklist for Focus Learner Profile
Complete |
Incomplete |
|
Focus learner’s primary classification per IEP |
Focus learner’s classification as identified in the IEP is described. |
Focus learner’s classification as identified in the IEP is not described. |
Focus learner’s strengths and challenges and their potential impact on learning instruction and the learning targets. |
Focus learner’s strengths and challenges and their potential impact on learning instruction and the learning targets are described. |
Focus learner’s strengths and challenges and their potential impact on learning instruction and the learning targets are not described. |
Focus learner’s interests, aspirations and passions |
Focus learner’s interests, aspirations and passions are described with examples. |
Focus learner’s interests, aspirations and passions are not described. |
Focus learner’s likes and dislikes |
Focus learner’s likes and dislikes are described with examples. |
Focus learner’s likes and dislikes are not described. |
Anything else the teacher deems important |
Review these references in order to complete this assessment
1. Avallone, A. (2017, September 08). Getting to Know You: Learner Profiles for Personalization (Opinion). Retrieved January 01, 2021, from
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-getting-to-know-you-learner-profiles-for-personalization/2017/09Links to an external site.
2. Kanaan, R. (2019, February 15). What Are Learner Profiles and Why Are They Important? Retrieved January 01, 2021, from
https://knowledgeworks.org/resources/learner-profiles-what-why-how/Links to an external site.
3. Lynch, M. (2018, April 25). Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Learner Profiles. Retrieved January 01, 2021, from
https://www.theedadvocate.org/heres-everything-need-know-learner-profiles/Links to an external site.
4. Weber, K. B., & Cole, V. (n.d.). Special Education. Retrieved January 01, 2021, from
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/commoncore/guidance-commoncore-template.htm Links to an external site.
5.
Ell Language portraits. Purdue English Language Learners Language Portraits. (n.d.). Retrieved J from
http://elllps.squarespace.com/work Links to an external site.
EXAMPLE:
Student B– Age 8 (Male)
RE: Visual Impairment (myopia), autistic disorder and anxiety.
Student B is an eight years old, second-grade student in the inclusive classroom. The student’s primary language is Russian. However, the student B understands and can express his thoughts in English. Student B is diagnosed with myopia that allows focusing on objects close but not at a distance. The visual impairment occurs with an autistic disorder, such as difficulties socializing, organization, and planning problems. Moreover, the student suffers from anxiety.
(1)
Student B also receives therapy with a psychologist (one time per week) to work on his anxiety problems. Student B has an IEP plan that promotes educational advancement. Student B wear two pair of glasses: one for close work and another for work on the distance. The student has also been diagnosed with a mild form of autism. He (Student B) is having a hard time communicating appropriately with his peers and also experiencing anxiety.
(2)
Student B is experiencing problems reading the dashboard’s notes and anything that is on distance, such as a projector or bulletin boards that interfere with his learning. He (Student B) is unable to focus on the last lasting writing and reading activities. The doctor has recommended taking breaks every thirty minutes to release the pressure that Student B is experiencing by wearing glasses. Student B constantly could not finish his task on time, needs additional – individualized instructions, enlarged printed worksheets, and a place where he (Student B) can feel safe and not distracted. Student B struggles with copying, have bad handwriting, weak spelling and punctuation. Moreover, he reads very slowly. Student B has difficulties following the classroom routine and prefers to work on activities alone rather than in the group. He does not like to interact with his peers a lot but never acts aggressively or not appropriate towards peers and teachers. Student B is suffering from general anxiety; he is worried when he is facing something new and things that he never experienced before. He (Student B) has trouble managing his stress, so it manifests itself in an uncontrollable emotional state. For example, Student B can start crying, screaming, or run away. He is frustrated when it comes to an activity that requires a lot of movement. He worries about losing the glasses or being unable to see something while actively moving.
Student B is an auditory and kinesthetic learner. He tends to assimilate information when he can hear the information. Also, Student B feels more confident when he has all the materials on hand. Using copies of all the information listed on boards and projectors are very helpful. He learns by physically absorbing during activities and actively exploring things around him.
(3)
Student B is passionate about music. He is a very talented boy who enjoys playing the piano. He attends piano classes once a week. Student B likes to go on different musical shows. He likes the books, but due to his impairment, he is mostly using the audio versions. The parents are spending time with Student B to develop his reading skills during the weekends. Moreover, he loves the read-aloud time.
(4)
Student B comes from a middle-class family. The family had moved from Russia – Sankt Petersburg to the United States five years ago. Student B has an older sister who is now begun middle school; both parents are working and have very warm and supportive relationships in the family.
The parents speak English and trying to put all their strength to help their child in development. The family went through a hard time when Student B was born, the doctors associating the birth difficulties with the current child’s condition.
Questions:
1. How can I implement the student’s passion for music to teach him reading skills?
2. What strategies can I use to lower the student’s frustration when it comes to new activities?
3. How can I help Student B to socialize and find friends in the classroom?
Answer to Classmate:
Hi Teona,
Question #3: What are some useful tips about how to give her instructions?
Thank you for sharing with us your focus learner profile and bringing up interesting questions. It might be challenging to create an appropriate and productive learning environment for a child with an intellectual disability. Therefore, we should always consider the accommodations the child may need to succeed. You may find it helpful to break down each learning task into small, manageable steps and actions. Many students with intellectual disabilities learn better with hands-on activities. In your post, you mentioned Student A likes to cook with her mother. You may incorporate kinesthetic activities in your lessons. Also, students with intellectual disabilities live in the visual world. They need to have visual support. The use of pictures and charts may assist Student A throughout the day. You may want to facilitate her learning by arranging a distraction-free area to keep Student A focused on the work and take breaks between the tasks.
Student B is a six-year-old, Kindergarten student. The student’s primary language is Russian. However, the student B understands and can express his thoughts in English. Student B is diagnosed with ADHD that occurs with learning disorder and anxiety.
(1)
Student B also receives therapy with a psychologist that involves parents (two times a month individually and two times a month with parents). Student B has an IEP plan that promotes educational advancement. Recently, Student B has begun to take medications that help him reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and increase concentration and attention.
(2)
Student B is experiencing hyperactivity and impulsivity. He (Student B) often interrupts others, unable to stay quiet for a long term, leaves a seat when remaining seated is expected, could not concentrate for a long term, and needs frequent breaks. Student B is suffering from general anxiety; he is worried when he is facing something new and things that he never experienced before. He (Student B) has trouble managing his stress, so it manifests itself in an uncontrollable emotional state. For example, Student B can start crying, screaming, or run away. The trouble managing his (Student B) emotions leads to the fact that he draws attention to himself. Due to the facts listed above, Student B is experiencing a learning disorder. The difficulties paying attention, staying on task, and being organized interfere with academic performance. Student B constantly could not finish his task on time, needs additional – individualized instructions, and a place where he (Student B) can feel safe and not distracted.
Student B struggles to stay focused on assignments that require attention and writing. He constantly gets destructed and can lose the beginning idea of what he was working. Interactive writing is a great way that keeps him (Student B) engaged and focused. During the reading time, Student B is allowed to take walks, change the seat, or stand.
Student B is a visual and kinesthetic learner. He tends to assimilate information when he (Student B) can absorb the information. Using pictures and educational videos are very helpful. Since Student B likes all activities that are requiring movement, he learns by physically absorbing during activities and actively exploring things around him. He likes experiments, crafts, hands-on activities, drama, art, and music activities that are requiring body movements.
(3)
Student B is passionate about sports. He attends swimming classes twice a week and football once a week. A few times a month, Student B attends kickboxing classes. The parents are trying to keep Student B active due to his hyperactivity using all his interests. Student B likes to watch movies and read books about spies and wants to become a spy when grew up. He does not like activities that require writing but enjoys reading and read-aloud time.
(4)
Student B comes from a middle-class family. The family had moved from Russia – Sankt Petersburg to the Unites States five years ago. Student B has an older sister who is now begun middle school; both parents are working and have very warm and supportive relationships in the family.
They don’t understand English well but ready to put all their strength to help their child. The family went through a hard time during the first two years in the United States and think that it could have affected the child’s condition and desire to attract attention from others.