During a history lesson on the ancient Mayans, Luke Ivey used differentiated instruction to accommodate for all learning styles. He began class by displaying colorful maps on the SMART Board. He demonstrated how to read the legend. Then he challenged students to compare and contrast two different maps, deepening their understanding of ancient cultures.
After studying the geographic locations of the Mayan people, Luke discussed hieroglyphics, the ancient tribe’s system of writing. He created a real-life connection for the students by comparing ancient hieroglyphics to modern-day texting symbols. The students were shown examples of Mayan hieroglyphics. After studying the symbols, the students enjoyed trying to write words using the hieroglyphics.
Next, Luke displayed a piece of Mayan artwork and a piece of European artwork from the same time period. He encouraged students to compare the two pieces. The students quickly noticed the vibrant colors and intense energy in the Mayan work.
To conclude the lesson, students watched an entertaining, animated video clip, which discussed additional characteristics of the Mayan people. Mr. Ivey paused the video at key places to point out important facts and elaborate on the information.
Through the multiple visual aids, group discussions, activities, and video clip, Luke presented his lesson on the Mayan people in a manner that addressed the needs of all learners in his classroom. Thank you, Luke, for differentiating your instruction to meet the needs of your students!
