Differentiation With Learning Menus Apprina Faulkner Learning & Assessment In The 21 st Instructor: James Young March 26, 2015

How was the teacher able to assess for the ultimate goal of students reading, writing, thinking, and speaking critically about global topics?  Entree #1 Graphic Organizer  Entree #2 Website Guide  Entree #3 Brochure  These activities in the learning menus supported students reading, writing, thinking, and speaking skills. Each level growing in complexity to further students understanding.  Reading: Students read to get the information to fulfill menus.  Writing: Students choose and write activities from the appetizers, entrée, and dessert.  Thinking: Chosen activities must be translated (process) into their own words.  Speaking: Students translate the content into their own words which is a sign of mastery. Students speak their understandings of subject with the teacher and peers.

How does her lesson show she is preparing her students for multiple assessment types?  The teachers use of learning menus allows her to measure what students are learning.  Students choice of learning menus informs the teacher of students learning preferences, strengths, and weaknesses.  The learning menus allows students their choice of assessment type.  They can write their answers, take a quiz, and use technology to name a few.  The learning menus has to be exited with an assessment.  The learning menus is customized to the students preference and guides the student toward mastery of content.  Saturday

How does student choice play a part of her differentiated instruction?  Differentiated instruction is different approaches to teaching. Students choice and voice allows them to charge of their  learning. Differentiated instruction requires teachers to know their students and offer experiences that improve learning.  The learning menus provided students with multiple options for taking in new information and developing enduring  understanding. By giving her students choices in reading and writing activities, tasks, and projects, she is motivating her  students and meeting their diverse needs along the way.  Saturday

Share one new idea from this lesson and how you could use it or modify it for your own instruction.  The learning menu is an excellent idea in the early education classroom. Young learners are curious  and need variety and support to learn new ideas and concepts. The varying levels of activities ensures  students are challenged and depth of knowledge is being developed.

References Teaching Channel. (2012). Differentiating with learning menus [Video file]. Retrieved from ntiating-instruction-strategy