WGU D631 Task 1|Latest 2025 Update |Graded A.

Bessette 1 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () WGU D631 Task 1|Latest 2025 Update |Graded A. Applies Curriculum Models Allie Bessette MSCIN, Western Governors University Cindy Shackelford October 1st, 2024Bessette 2 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () A.1. Proposal for Designing New Curriculum and Educational Setting I propose a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework for my school. This curriculum is for my 9th-grade English Language Arts students and will help to enhance my students’ writing and reading comprehension. A.2. Curricular Goal The curricular goal is for students to be able to build and strengthen their analytical reading and writing skills. In terms of reading comprehension, this means that students will use critical thinking skills to annotate and thoroughly understand the texts we read in class. In regards to writing, students will be able to analyze concepts, research, and thematic elements in their essays. A.3. Rationale I aim to use UDL to help students develop their skills in analyzing texts and incorporating analytical writing. My rationale behind using this framework is to build new curriculum and revitalize current curriculum to better engage and represent students. The UDL framework focuses on representing students and allowing them to fully engage with the materials and express themselves through it. Therefore, by incorporating UDL in my classroom, I can help students to not only better understand the concepts in my class, but also to thoroughly engage with and enjoy the curriculum. A.4. How Key Components Inform the Curriculum Design Process The key components of the UDL framework are engagement, representation, and action and expression. To promote a successful and comfortable classroom environment where students feel included and safe, it is important to incorporate all of these key components.Bessette 3 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () One way that this curriculum will aide in informing the curriculum design process is through promoting engagement among my students. One of the biggest ways I can better engage my students is through welcoming interests and identities. In my classroom, this could mean incorporating books and short stories that are engaging to my students. UDL heavily focuses on student engagement and the importance of “find[ing] connections to what matters most in their lives” (CAST, 2018). For example, I have many students that are involved in music, such as band and choir. By finding reading materials that include music in some way, students are more likely to want to read and participate in class discussions about the material. When students are able to connect with the curriculum, they are much more likely to collaborate with others, ask questions, and overall be more successful in the classroom. Another aspect of promoting engagement includes sustaining effort and persistence. In UDL, this means that “effective learning designs consider options for creating goals that are meaningful and purposeful” (CAST, 2018). In order to learn, students need to engage with material and understand the purpose of what we learn. Everyone is motivated a bit differently, and this aspect focuses on offering variety for students to further their learning. In my class, this could look like including different levels for writing essays. For example, the first level includes breaking down writing into paragraphs with guided sentence structures. The next level still includes a paragraph template but is less outlined and asks for some type of visual aspect. The final level includes a multi-paragraph essay with simple guided instructions. The last part of engagement in UDL includes emotional capacity. This means that students empathize with other students and are able to self-regulate their emotions. As an educator, I understand my influence as a role model and ensure that students learn and practice these skills in a safe environment. Every Monday and Friday, we take time to talk about our weekends, our thoughts and emotions outside of school, and any feelings we have aboutBessette 4 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () class as well. I also include a form that students fill out every Friday where they are encouraged to discuss anything happening in clas they want me to know, as well as any other events and Another way that UDL will inform the curriculum design process is through representation. In this framework, representation is broken down into three separate components: perception, language and symbols, and comprehension (CAST, 2018). Regarding perception, it is important to ensure that all students have access to the same learning and standards. Everyone learns differently and some students might need different visuals or instructions to understand the material. For example, when we read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, some students comprehend the material simply through reading along with the audiobook. However, I also make sure that students have access to other means of comprehending the novel and its heavy themes. This includes showing video summaries of chapters, as well as having students conduct research and create posters about the Great Depression, racism in the south, and the civil rights movement. The next aspect of representation in the UDL framework includes language and symbols, which in my content, focuses on vocabulary. While some students might grasp vocabulary terms quickly, others might have some difficulty and need more practice. Implementing this framework will include specific and relevant vocabulary that students need to understand the texts we read. I will also create a kahoot or other type of game to practice these terms so students have a solid grasp of each meaning. The last aspect of representation in the UDL framework includes building knowledge, meaning that the curriculum I create will build upon previously learned skills as we work towards solidifying our knowledge and learning new concepts. Finally, to ensure a fully formed UDL framework in my classroom, action and expression are necessary as well. In UDL, the aspects of action and expression include interaction,Bessette 5 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () expression and communication, and strategy development. These aspects will inform the curriculum design process by allowing students to express themselves and communicate in healthy and productive ways. Interaction in this sense refers to navigating ways for all students to access and interact with the material. For example, when writing, some students prefer physical handouts and writing on the paper as opposed to typing on their computer. My curriculum should allow leniency for students to choose what best help them learn and work in class. The next aspect is expression and communication. This refers to the importance of providing a variety of differing assessment options for students. For example, during our Romeo and Juliet unit, the final assessment allows students to pick from multiple options, such as: analyzing a song as it connects to the play, creating a 6-panel comic strip of a scene, writing two diary entries from the perspective of a minor character, and an option to come up with your own idea. Shaping the curriculum to include different and creative assessment options allows students to express themselves and show their knowledge of the content. All students learn differently, and it is important that they have options that coincide with, and help to build, their skills and abilities. The last includes strategy development. Strategy development focuses on guiding students towards planning and setting goals for themselves. This framework allows me to act as a facilitator for students as they make plans and monitor their own growth. Working with students to set realistic goals helps students to learn real-world skills, such as time management. Incorporating the UDL framework helps me to inform the curriculum design process because it allows me to guide students as they work toward building skills for both in and outside of the classroom. A.5. Achieving the Curricular GoalBessette 6 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () The chosen curriculum design model is appropriate for achieving the curricular goal because of facets that allow students to express themselves, complete projects through means that work for them, and have accomodations that allow them to be successful in class. The UDL framework is a powerful tool that works with curriculum to encourage students to have fun learning because they can relate to and participate with the material. With this framework, students build skills needed for school and the real world, and are able to feel comfortable to express themselves in their environment.Bessette 7 Downloaded by Mike Splendid () References CAST. (2018). The UDL guidelines.