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A Quick Look at Differentiated Instruction

Jennifer Wagaman — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:50:41 +0000

Differentiated Instruction, or teaching various levels at the same time to a classroom full of students who are learning at different lessons, is a commonly discussed topic in the schools today. The thing that is interesting is that some of the ideas for how to do this seem to lose site of the end goal.

When planning any lesson, it is important to first ask: what is the ultimate goal behind this lesson?

Example One: Differentiated Instruction of Perimeter and Area

So for example – Students will learn how to measure the perimeter and area of a shape. The ultimate goal is NOT that students will simply be able to improve upon prior knowledge. (I am sure everyone will agree there, but surprisingly, differentiated instruction seems to lose this idea). Additionally it is NOT that students will be able to pass a unit test. You might say that the ultimate goal is to pass the state tests, and in one sense that is an ultimate goal. The final ultimate goal is for students to be able to grow up, measure their living room and purchase the correct amount of carpet.

Looking at differentiating instruction for this concept has come a long way from even just a few years ago. It used to be that teachers were told to provide several examples and then allow time to work in small groups so that students who struggled with the concept could have personal time with the teacher to learn a difficult concept.

A New Look at Differentiated Instruction

Now teachers are being prompted to provide a variety of complexities in the problems given. Now for this example, the complexity does not compromise the concept: finding the area of a room that is 5×5 square uses the same formula as finding the area of a room that is 10×32. When it is time to add other shapes to the room, the problem becomes more sticky.

One article I recently read stated that students should be given a list of several questions of varying difficulty and allowed to choose a couple of those to answer, allowing the advanced students the chance at harder questions and slower students the chance at easier questions. The problem is, if the easy problems: a room that is only 5×5, are the only ones answered, then those students who are struggling will never have practice with more difficult problems: a room that has to be divided into three sections in order to figure out the area, for example.

Example Two: Differentiated Instruction for Multiplication

One example given in the article was multiplication. Given a selection of multiplication problems, students who have not grasped double digit multiplication can answer only single digit questions while students who are more advanced can answer more difficult double digit multiplication.

My question – when does the slower student learn double digit multiplication? And if your ultimate goal is that state test, how does that slower student have a chance at passing when they are always given the option of a simpler problem? Lose the problem sets and bring back individualized attention, please!

Back to School List for Teachers

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:03:39 +0000

Introduce yourself to parents and students

New Teacher Introductions to Parents

Back to School Night

First Day of School activities

10 Things to Remember for the First Day of School

How to Get Ready for the First Day of School

First week of lesson plans

Making a Curriculum Map

Lesson Planning Mistakes for New Teachers to Avoid

Prepare the classroom

Preparing for the First Day of School Important for New Teachers

Preparing Your Classroom For the Start of School

Prepare a routine

Teacher’s To Do List for Friday

Organization and Time Management for Teachers

Determine classroom management plan

Classroom Management Tools for New Teachers

Five Common Classroom Management Myths

Prepare Classroom Library

Books for a New Teacher’s Classroom Library

Creating a Classroom Library

Purchase necessary supplies

Necessary Supplies for the New Classroom Teacher

Make a Word Wall

The Basics of a Word Wall

How to Make an Interactive Word Wall

Free Lesson Planning Resource

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:06:27 +0000

Teachers, check out Lesson Pathways, a free online resource with 900 weekly lesson plans that can be used as a stand alone curriculum for grades k-5 or as a supplemental source.

Find lesson ideas for science, history, reading/phonics, math and language arts.

Lesson plans organize activities found on the internet to create a thorough look at each topic and can provide excellent resources and ideas for supplementing the school curriculum.

Additional information for homeschoolers is prolific on the site as this is a great resource for homeschool families wishing to use the lesson plans for their home school curriculum.

Find out more at Lesson Pathways.

Three Things All Teachers Should Know

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:41:10 +0000

Teachers enter the classroom with numerous bits of advice and countless tricks up their sleeves, but when it comes down to it, the advice and tricks will only take them so far. Here are the three things that all teachers need to know before setting foot in their classroom.

1. Lesson planning is important.

In fact, lesson planning is so important it will effect classroom management, student achievement and teacher effectiveness. Learn how to plan a lesson from start to finish: Lesson Planning Tips

2. Having a thorough classroom management plan is vital.

Many teacher preparation programs train new teachers to avoid discipline issues though proactive management – walking around the classroom, high interest lessons, caring about students and so on. The actuality of teaching, though, is not quite so idealistic. In fact, classroom management is often one of the top most difficulties that teachers face. Learning how to manage a classroom full of students starts with a well thought through classroom management plan. Learn all you need to know about classroom management: My Classroom Management

3. Love each student where he or she is.

A college professor once told me that the student who drives you the most nuts is the student who needs you the most. Indeed, in today’s society, parents are leaving more and more up to the teachers and this results in students who need love, attention, respect, boundaries and simply someone to care about who they really are – faults and all. Remember when students continue to act up that very often they are simply being children and while we need to teach them how to act and interact with others, we need to also love them as they are.

Snow Day Activities

Jennifer Wagaman — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:30:08 +0000

After a big snow, children are eager to get outside and play. What more perfect time to introduce some fun learning activities and take advantage of their natural excitement! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Make snow men, teaching young children about small, medium and large.
Catch snow flakes and look at them under a microscope or magnifying glass to see the varied designs.
Make snow angels and discuss the property of displacement.
Measure the amount of snow and talk about various forms of measurement.
Make snow ice cream and involve children in the cooking process.

Here is an article with some indoor and more outdoor snow activities.

Inventory of Paraprofessional Skills

Jennifer Wagaman — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:56:26 +0000

When working with a paraprofessional it is important to have set tasks for her to complete to help the teacher accomplish her job. Here is a simple list to help start discussions on what tasks the paraprofessional should complete each day.

Instructional Support:

Reinforce skills already taught by the teacher
Read to students and listen to students read
Supervise student work
Modify materials as needed and as directed by teacher
Assist students
Accompany students to library and assist book choice

Diagnostic Support

Correct and grade assignments
observe and record academic and social behaviors
Administer informal assessments such as unit tests

Behavior Management Support

Provide positive feedback to students
Provide earned reinforcements and monitor progress on behavior plans
Supervise time out and assist student who are stressed

Classroom Organization Support

Make instructional games and learning centers as directed by teacher
Monitor students at learning centers
Create and put together bulletin board displays
Locate any necessary instructional materials

Paperwork Support

Duplicate any necessary materials
Take attendance
Record grades as directed

Extension Ideas for Lesson on Obama’s Speech

Jennifer Wagaman — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:14:00 +0000

On September 8, 2009, President Obama will be speaking live to the students of the Nation. This is a highly controversial event, but one that teachers can take advantage of. It seems from the information provided, that President Obama will be speaking about goal setting for the school year, and striving to meet those goals. After the speech is over, how can teachers take this speech and provide extension activities for students?

Extension Activities for Obama’s Speech

Have students write an essay about one specific goal that they have for the school year. They should include details as to why they have this particular goal and exactly how they plan on meeting this goal.

Students can work together as a class to create a list of “class goals” much like teachers allow students to create “class rules“. Have students share lots of ideas for goals and then condense them into 3-4 really important goals. Once these are decided on, write them on a large piece of paper and have all the students sign the paper, promising to try their best to meet these goals.

Students can create a piece of artwork (coloring, painting, tissue paper art, etc.) that shows the outcome of meeting goals for the school year. Knowing what they are shooting for in the end will help to motivate them to work hard towards that goal.

For lesson plan ideas on preparing students for the speech as well as information on how to listen to the speech, visit Lesson Plan for Obama’s Speech to Students.

Read more extension ideas that will help teachers use President Obama’s speech to bring more appropriate student behavior to the classroom.

Back to School Tips for Teachers

Jennifer Wagaman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:12:09 +0000

It may still be early in summer vacation, but it’s not too early to be thinking about preparing to go back to school. The preparation process is slightly different if you are a new teacher, but basically, the process is the same.

First, create or tweak your classroom management plan. This is important because only when your students are obeying the rules and on task will great learning take place in the classroom. If you are a returning teacher, think about what worked and what did not work, and find something new to add to your classroom management plan. It may also be helpful to become familiar with individualized behavior plans.

Second, create a curriculum map or review previous lesson plans. If the curriculum is new, a curriculum map will cut down on lesson planning time during the first quarter. If the curriculum is not new, reviewing the first few weeks worth of lesson plans will help prepare you for the new year.

Here are some more great tips for preparing for the first day of school.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:39:48 +0000

May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week and Learning A-Z.com is celebrating by allowing all teachers the opportunity to use their resources free of charge for the entire week. This will provide teachers unlimited downloadable free resources for use in their classrooms.

Take advantage of this great opportunity and register now!

What is Worth Reading?

Jennifer Wagaman — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:49:54 +0000

Education… has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading.
- G. M. Trevelyan

How sad this truth is! While there is still some argument that we are not yet adequately teaching students how to read, the lessons on what is worth reading are not thought of at all. How can you be sure to teach students how to read and still distinguish what is worth reading? Here are some ideas:

Create a classroom library full of worthwhile books.
Read aloud to your students every day from a good book
Create a “suggested reading list” for students to read over the summer
Have class discussions on why some books are worth reading and why some aren’t

This should be just one part of an entire reading focus in your classroom. For additional resources on having a robust reading program in your classroom:

How to Teach Reading

Reading Activities in the Classroom

Reading Lessons