INTASC #_____3______

• Brief Description of Evidence:

     This artifact is a differentiated lesson that I created for a third year French class.  The lesson focuses on culture, specifically the history, food, and rituals of Mardi Gras.  This lesson is differentiated by interest through product.  It allows the students to explore areas of culture that they are most interested in, and work with students who have similar interests.  This lesson divides the students into three tiers, or groups, so that three of the major areas of Mardi Gras can be researched.

• Analysis of What I Learned:

     Creating a differentiated lesson taught me that teachers can divide students into groups in ways that will enrich their learning.  Using differentiated lessons in the classroom is a valuable tool, because it allows the students to work together with others of similar abilities or interests.  I also learned that using differentiated instruction is beneficial for the students, because they can work at a level in which they are comfortable and able to do their best.  I feel that differentiated instruction creates a positive learning experience for each student, because the lessons are tailored to the individual needs of each student.  By having many different levels at which students can work and achieve a similar goal as a class is an effective way to have students work on concepts that they will be comfortable with.  Differentiated instruction allows teachers to acknowledge the differences within each of their students and set up a classroom where students can succeed.

• How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the INTASC Principle:

    This differentiated lesson plan shows that the teacher is aware that there are many different students in the class with different learning styles or interests. It allows students to work in groups according to their interests. The teacher is also respectful of the differences among the students and allows them to explore their own individual interests through the project options in the lesson. The teacher also creates a lesson that is sensitive to the different levels and styles of learning. There are many options for students to pursue and they can pursue the one that is most appealing to them.