FS 1

Learner’s Characteristics: Gender,

Strength, Language, Experiences, Culture,
Religion, Socio-economic Status, Difficult
Circumstances, and Indigenous Peoples

Now, I think you are ready to observe how differences in gender, racial,
cultural, and religious backgrounds, including coming from indigenous groups
influence learner behavior, interaction and performance in school. You will also
be given an opportunity to analyze and reflect on practices that teachers use in
leveraging diversity in the classroom. Further, you will also observe how
differences in abilities affect interaction in school and learn about strategies that
the teachers use in addressing the learners’ needs towards effective teaching and
learning.

At the end of this episode , you must be able describe the characteristics and
needs of the learners from different background; identify the needs of students
with different level of abilities in the classroom; choose the best practices used
by teachers in differentiated teaching in catering the different needs of diverse
learners in a class; demonstrate understanding and acceptance of learner’s
diverse background.

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 Read the following concepts and principles relevant for this learning
episode.

I. Principles of Development
A. Development and learning proceed at varying rates from child to
child, as well as at uneven rates across different areas of the child’s
functioning (NYAEC, 2019).
B. Development and learning are maximized when learners are
challenged to achieve at a level just above their current level of
mastery, and when they have many opportunities to practice
newly acquired skills.
C. Differentiated instruction is a student-centered approach that aims
to match the learning content, activities and assessment to the
different characteristics, abilities, interests, and needs of learners.
II. The Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) Domain 3
enumerated the following factors that give emphasis about the
diversity of learners.
A. Differences in learners’ gender, needs, strengths, interests, and
experiences
B. Learners’ linguistic, cultural, socio-economic, and
religious backgrounds
C. Learners with disabilities, giftedness, and talents
D. Learners under challenging circumstances which include
geographic isolation, chronic illness, displacement due to armed
conflict, urban resettlement or disasters, child abuse, and child
labor.

III. Focus on Indigenous People

To learn more about IPs, read the following:
➢ Republic Act 8371 –The Indigenous People’s Rights Act
➢ DepEd Order No 32, s 2015- Adopting the Indigenous People’s
Education (IPED) Curriculum Framework particularly the 5
Key Elements of an Indigenous Peoples Education Curriculum.
These are the Curriculum Design, Competencies and Content;
Teaching Methodologies and Strategies; Learning Space and
Environment; Learning Resources; and Classroom Assessment.

Now, are you ready for your next observation activity? I bet you are, so let’s
begin.

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 Your Activity 3.1
Observing Differences among Learners’ gender, needs,
strengths, interests, and experiences; and differences
among learners’ linguistic, cultural, socio-economic,
religious backgrounds, and difficult circumstances

Resource Teacher: Mrs. Lourdesita L. Macasilhig Signature: _________

Subject Area: Cookery Teacher Date: September 29, 2022

To realize your learning objectives, you need to work on these steps:

1. Observe a class in different parts of a school day (morning,
afternoon)
2. Describe the characteristics of the learners in terms of age, gender,
and social and cultural diversity.
3. Describe their interactions that transpires within the classzoom or
classmeet.
4. Interview your Resource Teachers about the principles and practices
that they use in dealing with diversity in the classroom.
5. Analyze the impact of individual differences on learners’ interactions.

Read the Observation Guide below before you begin with your
observation. Then, write your observation report on the space provided.
AN OBSERVATION GUIDE FOR THE LEARNERS’ CHARACTERISTICS
1. Find out the number of students. Gather
data as to their ages, gender, religious
and ethnic backgrounds.

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING 3. Interview the

QUESTIONS THAT REFER TO
YOUR OBSERVATIONS ON
Learner and the
CLASS INTERACTIONS Resource Teacher.

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1. Present the data gathered through a graphical presentation.

There are 53
students in the
class

In the class
And 90% of
the class are
10- there are 25
male students
Catholic Burgos and 28 female
students.

Ages of the
students
ranges to 15 to
18 years old

2. While observing classes, note to answer the following questions:

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2a. How much interaction is there in the classzoom or classmeet? Describe
the learners’ interactions with the teachers and with one another.

The class is a little bit noisy but we are able to manage it. They always talk
with their classmates and seat mates. They interact with one another by
calling their names and started to talk like there’s no end. They also enjoy
playing music and I think that it is their bond as a class. As to their interaction
with their teacher, they are all polite and kind. They always give respect and
greeted teachers like the usual “Good morning” and “Good afternoon”.

2b. Cite an instance where a learner interacts with another learner? How they
interact with each other?

For example, when someone ask about their lesson or activity, they always
ask politely. They call their classmates’ name respectfully and nicely. And by
that they started to talk about the lesson that the student asked.

2c. Do the learners cooperate with or compete against each other? Why do
you say so?

With this class, they are all cooperating. As I’ve observed I did not feel any
competition vibe or there are students competing against each other. Because
they always help those who are in need and in trouble.

2d. Who among the students participate actively? Who did not?

Mostly, girls are more participative and active, since they are grade 10
cookery students, girls would love to participate in cooking. But there are also
male students who are participating.

2e. When the teacher asked the question---How did they react or
respond? Is there a method where they can be recognized by the teacher?

Some students get excited when teacher ask question. But most of them I
think are nervous. As they raised their hands teacher automatically
recognized the student.

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 3. After answering the five questions, it is your turn to interview the
teachers about their experiences about learners in difficult circumstances.
Request them to describe these circumstances and these affected the
learners. Ask also on the strategies they use to help these learners cope.
Ask them further on the strategies they apply when addressing the needs
of diverse learners due to the following factors:
✓ Gender including LGBTQ
✓ Language and Cultural Differences
✓ Differences in Religion
✓ Socio-Economic Status
Write your narrative report below.

My Cooperating Teacher is a science teacher before, and now she is

teaching TLE specifically Cookery 10. Since the school will chose what major will
be taught to the grade 10 students. My CT is open for gender equality. Since she
believed that whoever you are, you are welcome in learning cookery.

Regarding with the language and cultural differences, it’s a bit difficult for
Ma’am Macasilhig at first because she has LSEN students. There are deaf
students and children with special needs. And with that, she is very thankful for
the trainings and seminars that was conducted by different institutes because it
helps her to understand those students with special needs. And snow she can
communicate well with the LSEN. And she also encourages other students to
learn on how they can communicate to their classmates with special needs.

Since we are teaching Cookery, my CT consider other religion like

Muslims, and other religion that is not allowed to eat specific food. She also
encourages the class to be respectful with each other’s religion.

My CT is considerate about the socio-economic status of the students.

Since we are Cookery, expected that students really need to purchase ingredients
for their performance. And with that, my CT decided it to be done by group, and
each member of the group would pay 5 pesos per week so it won’t be a burden to
them and to their parents.

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 Based on the observations, reflect to answer the following questions.
Add more spaces when needed.

1. Identify the persons who play key roles in the relationships and
interactions in the classrooms. What roles do they play? Is there
somebody who appears to be the leader, a mascot, an attention
seeker, a little teacher, a doubter, or a pessimist?
In every class, students have different attributes. There are students who serves
as the leader of the class and making sure that the classroom is organize and
clean. There were also students that always making the class happy. They are the
clowns of the class and always giving good vibes to the whole class.

2. Are the students in class well-engaged? Why or why not? What does
the teacher do to address low engagement among learners?
Yes, as I’ve observed there is no student who left behind. Everyone is actively
engaging in the class. If the teacher observed that there are students who has low
engagement, she will automatically call the attention of the student and asked
what could be the problem for his/her performance.

3. How does the teacher influence interactions considering the

differences of the students? In virtual class ? In face to face class?
Now that the face-to-face classes are back and the teachers can meet the
students personally. She would give advices to the students; she always say that
there shouldn’t be negative ideas or feelings so that they can be able to express
their ideas and bring out the best in them.

4. What strategies does the teacher use to maximize the benefits of

diversity inside the classroom? How does the teacher leverage
diversity?
Through the knowledge of the learners’ histories, learning preferences, interests,
the teacher can now make a proper way to handle the class. She makes sure that
she is sensitive of the individual variances among them. By allowing the students
to discuss their cultural background, the teacher build close relationship to them
and encouraging free conversation while promoting respect.

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 How did you feel being in that classzoom or classmeet? Did you feel sense of
oneness or unity among the learners and between the teacher and the
learner

Being with the class feels great. I feel the respect they gave towards me. It
feels good when you know that you are belong to the class, because you
are able to communicate with the students. I can able to share to them
some insights about being a college student. Also with my CT, I love how
she gives advices to me and motivation on becoming a teacher in the
future.

Your Activity 3.2

Observing Differences among Learners with disabilities ,
Gifte dness and Talents

To realize your learning objectives, work your way through these steps:

1. Watch demonstration teaching videos on youtube with any of the

following:
➢ SPED Class with learners with physical disabilities
➢ SPED Class with learners with intellectual disabilities
➢ SPED class for the gifted and talented
➢ Regular class with inclusion of learners with disabilities
2. While watching, note on the needs of the learners that the teacher
should address.
3. Virtually interview the SPED teachers to find out more about the
learners.
4. Analyze your observation data.
5. Reflec t on your ex perience.

Use the observation guide below to document your observations. Read the
guide very carefully before you begin. Then write an observation report on the
space provided.

AN OBSERVATION G
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 1. Observe the class to see the differences in abilities of the learners. Try to identify
those who seem to be performing well and those that seem to be behind.

2. Observe the behavior of the learners in the class. Note their dispositions, pace in
accomplishing the tasks, interaction with teacher and interaction with classmates.

3. Observe the teacher’s method in addressing the individual learning needs of the
students in the class.

4. Virtually interview a SPED Teacher , if possible, to find more about the learners
and to confirm your observation.

Observation Report

Link of the Watched Video: https://youtu.be/9vxyp6S5ohA

The teacher made sure that everyone in the class is equal and they got
equal attention that they need. She also made sure that everyone has
collaboration.

Based on the observations, answer the following questions. Add more

spaces when needed.

1. Did your observation match the information given by the teacher you
interviewed?

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 Yes, because as a Sped Teacher you should always be careful with the words
you’re going to say. You’ll be more sensitive and more collaborative to the
children.

2. Describe the differences in ability levels of the students in the class. What
practices or strategies are done or should be done to differentiate
instruction to meet the needs of the learners?
All learners have different ways of learning. There are students who are
attentive and always listens to the instruction given to them. To achieve the
learning that the student needs you as a teacher should be creative in making
materials that would get the attention of your learners.

3. Describe the methods used by the teacher in handling the student’s

differences in abilities. How did the students respond to the teacher? Did
the teacher use differentiated instruction? If yes, describe how it was
done.
The teacher always asks students about how they feel, how they are doing and
their day doing. The teacher always makes the lesson lively so that the learners
will be participative.

Recall the time when you were in elementary or high school. Recall the high
achievers and low achievers in class. How did your teacher deal with the
differences? Was the teacher successful in dealing with it?
During my elementary and high school time, my teachers always taught
us to be fair. There is equal treatment to all of us, no high achiever or low
achiever.

What dispositions and traits do you think, as a future teacher, will you need
to meet the needs of the learners?

As a future teacher I have to be strategic when it comes in doing

instructional materials. I need to have a lot of patience because I know
being a teacher is very hard and without patience you cannot do it well.
And I need a lot of time to improve.
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 With the principle of individual differences in mind, what methods and
strategies will you remember in the future to ensure that you will be able to meet the
needs of both the high and low achievers in class. Make a collection of strategies on
how to address the students’ different ability levels. Be creative in the presentation of
your learning proofs.

Wow! Congratulations. You are done with the observation activity for
Learning Episode 3. To successfully end your Learning Episode 3, go to your LMS
and answer the Learning Episode 3 Quiz.

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