Differentiated Instruction

Carol Tomlinson’s book, How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, is the standard in classroom differentiation. With that said, what is it that we could do better as educators?

Reteach

Step-by-step how this Arizona elementary school gives its students the additional time they need to master core concepts and elevate their learning to the next level.

The Toolbox of Differentiation

1. Task Cards.
2. Tiered Lesson Template – great ideas for tired differentiation here.
3. Learning Menus – great outline for learning menues here.

From Edutopia’s Resources for Differentiated Instruction

Lesson Plans & Rubric – Reteach and Enrich

Sample materials used to teach, assess, reteach, and enrich one week’s fifth grade math objective: differentiating prime and composite numbers. Watch our video or read the article to learn more about Mesquite’s Reteach & Enrich program.

• Standard for Prime and Composite NumbersOverview of math objective for one week: differentiating prime and composite numbers
• Formative Assessment on Prime and Composite NumbersWeekly formative assessment on differentiating prime and composite numbers

Reteach Examples

• Divisibility Rule KeynoteOverview of divisibility rules for day one of reteach
• The Super SieveActivity used on day two for reteach
• The Factor GameWorksheet for the factor game used on day three of reteach

Enrich Examples

• Prime Match Game

Example of a game played in enrichment class

• Bingo Call CardsBingo call cards used for enrichment class
• Bingo CardExample of a bingo card used in enrichment class

Websites

Activities used by Mesquite teachers for teaching prime and composite numbers

• Fruit Shoot game from Sheppard Software
• Factor Game from Illuminations
• Interactive factor tree from National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

Tools for Data Assessment

Teachers at Mesquite meet weekly with the student achievement teacher to review the most recent assessment data and plan instruction for each student accordingly.

5th Grade Math Formative Assessment Tracking Sheet

Sample spreadsheet used to track student performance on each objective.

Tracking Sheet for Bottom 25 Percent of 5th Grade Students

Students whose performance falls in the bottom 25 percent of the class are tracked more closely using spreadsheets like this one.

Benchmark = 1 quarter

AIMS is the state standardized test

PL = Performance Level on AIMS

M = Meets

A = Approaches

FFB = Falls Far Below

Class Development Profile Grid

Grid displaying per student performance for each objective on a benchmark test.

MS = Meets Standard

AS = Approaches Standard

FS = Falls Below Standard

Development Profile Fifth Grade Class

Profile report of overall performance for one fifth grade class on a benchmark test.

Development Profile for Fifth Grade

Profile report of overall performance for entire fifth grade on a benchmark test. Codes such as S1C1, S1C2, are weekly performance objectives; M05 is Mesquite, 5th grade.

Culture

• Bell to Bell LearningPhilosophy at Mesquite Elementary
• Mesquite and Vail School Districtis ACT StatementCode of conduct for all students in the Vail School District
• Mesquite and Vail School Districtis REACH StatementExpectations for instruction for all teachers in the Vail School District
• Mesquite ScheduleDaily schedule at Mesquite Elementary. Teachers at Mesquite have 35 minutes each day for collaborative planning.
• Mesquite School MapMesquite was designed to encourage collaboration, with each grade level organized in pods around a common area.

Websites & Readings

• Beyond Textbooks — website for the Beyond Textbooks program (Watch the Edutopia video to learn more about how Mesquite teachers use Beyond Textbooks.
• Math Solutions — founded by Marilyn Burns, dedicated to improving math learning
• ABC Teach — free printable resources
• Sheppard Software — free educational games, activities and more
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics — resources for teaching math
• National Library of Virtual Manipulates, Utah State University — games and activities for K-12
• BBC Schools — numeracy for ages 4-11
• Renaissance Learning — tool provider for data-driven schools
• Starfall — learn-to-read website with phonics for K-2
• Brainpop — animated educational site
• Brainpop Jr. — educational activities for K-3
• Study Island — standards-based learning solutions
• Education City — interactive educational site
• Headsprout — programs to teach early reading comprehension

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