The main thing I have learned after years of teaching in the classroom is that differentiation is key and very, very necessary. Reflecting back on my year last year, I had the most diverse group of students when it came to ability levels. I made it my goal to really focus in on differentiation and build up what I was already doing as well as add what I could to meet the needs of all of my students daily. Differentiation is not easy and it by far one of the biggest tasks I have taken on as a teacher. Just like a lot of teachers I have come across, I have found that it is tons of work, overwhelming at times, and it can be difficult to pull off. I will say that taking small steps is what has worked for me and that in the end it will pay off!!!
These are the two main areas that I differentiate in my classroom and how I took small steps towards implementing them .
1. Daily 5- I bought the book, studied it over the summer 4 years ago and I have been using this in my classroom for my reading block ever since. I can't imagine ever teaching reading again without this format!!! Using this format allows my students the choice they need to take ownership over learning, I can individualize instruction with Ipads, students are moving regularly throughout the day and get the movement they need, they are interacting and learning group skills, and I am regularly meeting with "book clubs" in small group settings. Another bonus- this works so smoothly and effortlessly in time that I can assess a student one on one within the classroom while all the other students are focused, intent, and busy.
Some things I have learned over the 4 years of using this format:
These are the two main areas that I differentiate in my classroom and how I took small steps towards implementing them .
1. Daily 5- I bought the book, studied it over the summer 4 years ago and I have been using this in my classroom for my reading block ever since. I can't imagine ever teaching reading again without this format!!! Using this format allows my students the choice they need to take ownership over learning, I can individualize instruction with Ipads, students are moving regularly throughout the day and get the movement they need, they are interacting and learning group skills, and I am regularly meeting with "book clubs" in small group settings. Another bonus- this works so smoothly and effortlessly in time that I can assess a student one on one within the classroom while all the other students are focused, intent, and busy.
Some things I have learned over the 4 years of using this format:
- You need to make it work for you. I have modified the format every year because I have found that each classroom/group of children are different and things that worked last year aren't working quite as well this year. This format is forever evolving for me and that is OK. Each year I set goals, what do I want to improve on, what do I want to get better at using, etc. and then I set out to try and accomplish those goals.
- Structure is key. I use a 9 week guide every year to make sure that I introduce each piece slowly, purposely, and with enough practice time to have it continue to work well throughout our year together. I share this 9 week guide with my fellow teachers so they also can get a better overall idea on how to pace things, what to discuss and introduce during the beginning of the year key time, and what materials to pull and prepare beforehand. Here is a link to that guide that includes 40 lessons, handouts, charts, posters to guide and support during introduction.
2. Math workshop- use by pre-assessing each unit, forming groups based on need, and gathering/organizing supplies according to the groups. I love the MATH format on TPT provided by The Clutter-free Classroom. I have used this format for years, again tweaked to fit my teaching style and the needs of my students and classroom. Similar to reading it provides movement, choice, ownership with learning, group social skills, and allows me to work with a small group of students regularly.
Math happens to be my favorite subject and my kids clearly know this within a short time of being in my room. I will say that giving an overall beginning of the year math assessment is not something I do. I find it is time consuming, not very informative, and challenging for the students to get through. Instead, I break it down unit by unit and give a pre-assessment every couple of weeks to a month.
Giving a pre-assessment is a challenging thing but very manageable if introduced correctly. I teach my kids that I am gathering information to help me teach. I teach them that it is OK to put a question mark to show that they do not know how to solve a problem or section. I include a challenge portion on all of my unit assessments to raise the bar on learning and encourage them to apply the skills we just learned in a deeper, more higher-level way. Again, I have to teach what a challenge is, that is doesn't hurt them to try them, and that it is great to attempt in any way they can. I am often surprised by these challenge questions and it is a great way to communicate to my families what that next, higher-level of thinking looks like. I also communicate to my families that I do not expect them to complete the challenges, it is simply an opportunity to demonstrate advanced skills.
Math happens to be my favorite subject and my kids clearly know this within a short time of being in my room. I will say that giving an overall beginning of the year math assessment is not something I do. I find it is time consuming, not very informative, and challenging for the students to get through. Instead, I break it down unit by unit and give a pre-assessment every couple of weeks to a month.
Giving a pre-assessment is a challenging thing but very manageable if introduced correctly. I teach my kids that I am gathering information to help me teach. I teach them that it is OK to put a question mark to show that they do not know how to solve a problem or section. I include a challenge portion on all of my unit assessments to raise the bar on learning and encourage them to apply the skills we just learned in a deeper, more higher-level way. Again, I have to teach what a challenge is, that is doesn't hurt them to try them, and that it is great to attempt in any way they can. I am often surprised by these challenge questions and it is a great way to communicate to my families what that next, higher-level of thinking looks like. I also communicate to my families that I do not expect them to complete the challenges, it is simply an opportunity to demonstrate advanced skills.
Once I teach the unit, I assign each student a post-assessment and circle the sections that they need to complete. I do not have them re-do sections they got correct on the pre-test. I then grade, attach the pre and post-test together, and then send it home.
Giving pre-assessments has shown me that the kids are all over the place with math skill knowledge from unit to unit. I can take the data that I collect and design small mini-lessons with concepts that were missed by a great number of kids, gather resources to challenge, practice, and build up smaller building blocks for my lower students.
One last way I differentiate, I use www.xtramath.org every year in my classroom. It is quick, free, and individualized math fact practice. It tracks the kids progress, gives you updates via email, and allows you to print certificates when they master certain levels. If you haven't tried it yourself, check it out!!!
Giving pre-assessments has shown me that the kids are all over the place with math skill knowledge from unit to unit. I can take the data that I collect and design small mini-lessons with concepts that were missed by a great number of kids, gather resources to challenge, practice, and build up smaller building blocks for my lower students.
One last way I differentiate, I use www.xtramath.org every year in my classroom. It is quick, free, and individualized math fact practice. It tracks the kids progress, gives you updates via email, and allows you to print certificates when they master certain levels. If you haven't tried it yourself, check it out!!!