The Learner Development standard requires a teacher to recognize and create lessons based on the range of cognitive, social, physical, and linguistic developmental levels within her/his classroom.
Focusing educational experiences at the appropriate developmental level is imperative for learning to occur. If a teacher’s expectations are beyond the student’s developmental reach learning becomes unattainable. If the experience is unchallenging learning stagnates.
I demonstrate the Learner development standard by planning for differentiated instruction as evidenced in this excerpt from my Conflict/Resolution lesson. Knowing that my 3rd graders had a range of developmental needs I included scaffolding to support my struggling learners as well as opportunities for extension for my advanced learners.
I have adhered to this standard by using assessment to create activities which are at the appropriate developmental level for learners. For example, I created these sorts and this game for a student’s word study based on his Developmental Spelling Assessment as well as my observations of his reading and writing behaviors.
I further show the Learner Development standard by reviewing group work expectations using developmentally appropriate visual aids and vocabulary. This visual aid for group work expectations demonstrates the standard because it recognizes the social developmental level of my students and supports their continued social development.