Reflection:
Impact on Learning:
The implementation of alphabet activities through the use of multi-sensory learning allowed students to make progress in their alphabetic knowledge. Students engaged with the activities each day they were in school which allowed them to learn the features of the alphabet in a fun and engaging way. Students made various comments throughout that showed me they enjoyed the activities they were doing. Student A said "I like painting" during a painting activity. Student B said "Can I bring my letter home?" during a sticker and letter activity. Student C said "I like the letter Z" during a build the letter activity with popsicle sticks. Student D said "my turn, my turn" during the crocodile snap activity. All of these comments help me see that my students enjoyed their learning, wanted to participate and made progress in their alphabetic knowledge while doing so.
Professional Growth:
Through this project I was able to see my students enjoy and have fun in their learning. During letter work time, the students were hardly engaged and did not attempt to form letters when they were given paper and markers. The research I conducted along with the activities I found helped me find new and exciting ways to teach letter names and sounds. Not only this, but I found the importance of taking and utilizing data. As a special education teacher, data is one of the most important parts in helping teachers, help students, make progress. Reviewing the data and changing instruction to better meet students where they are at is a truly effective practice. While my study was going on, and I noticed students were not making the progress I was hoping for, I realized a change in instruction had to take place if I wanted the students to learn. I will continue on with the mindset that data is powerful and vital when in the education field.
Future Instruction:
Multi-sensory learning is an effective practice for all students. Through the use of learning through different senses, all students learning styles are addressed. One specific change I would make in the future is to utilize support from my paraprofessionals and coworkers. Teaching most of the activities, although fun, was challenging as I had to spend a lot of time away from the students who were not participating. Utilizing the teacher help in my room more would give me the opportunity to work with my other students more frequently. The letter activities were all easy to implement and would take little time to teach the other teachers in my room.
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Moving forward, I will continue to use multi-sensory methods for alphabet instruction as it is an effective, research-based strategy. Not only will my students learn more, but they will be provided with fun, engaging, interest-driven learning opportunities that will help them in learning the necessary skills needed for the rest of their schooling lives.
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