Student choice is empowering. Combine that with the power of the 4 C's, and you've got a supercharged lesson!
In most of my technology training workshops there are teachers of different levels of digital competence and it's difficult to find act...
I have been using a variety of Reading Log/Response to Text formats over the years and am happy to share with you the files that have worked best for me: Response Menus! Find them in my TpT Store or my new TN Store These menus have helped to not only address the Common Core standards throughout the school year, but keep my kids more motivated since the menus change from month to month. Each menu looks similar with three appetizer choices, three main course choices, and three dessert choices: They have a monthly cupcake and baker, just for fun :) Each fiction menu selection is offered 2-3 times throughout the year, and each nonfiction selection is offered every other month. Students choose one selection from each course and respond to the prompt for their at-home reading book(s). These menus are offered August through June and all 36 prompts are listed on the last three pages. These response choices are also all aligned to the following 3rd Grade Common Core Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.5 Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text. There are two response sheets offered, and I prefer to use the one with the simple reading log on top: How I Use Them in Class This response sheet is always printed on the back of the menu of the month and sent home in my students' weekly Friday Folders. They are due the following Friday, so it's always a great lesson in goal-setting and ensuring they are not rushing to do it all in one night. We started the year by doing them in class, then I gradually released them to work on it independently. The menu options change each month, but in a way that only one new option is added each month, so there is the opportunity to stick with the familiar, if they'd like. The back side of the page is the response sheet I prefer, and on Fridays during our Ketchup & Pickle Time, I will call students back one at a time to glace through their logs, and skim their responses. It's pretty easy to see if and where they skimped on effort, so I have no issues sending them back to add more detail, or give evidence from the text, etc. Love that Ketchup & Pickle Time! The ever-changing variety of these menus has spruced up our reading responses as a class, not just because of the assortment, but because they also have choice within the menu courses and that is always a very important thing, especially when it comes to homework ;) Plus, it allows me the chance to read what kids are thinking about their at-home books in a way that far exceed the traditional summary or something like that week after week. I like how this has encompassed some of the familiar elements of at-home reading work, but kicked it up a notch by changing each month. If you're interested in learning more, be sure to check my TpT Store and download the preview for the August Menu and Response Sheets for FREE!
I love learning menus, and it is one of my favorite ways to incorporate student choice and to differentiate learning. And with digital tools like G Suite for Education, it's super easy to make menus interactive, digital, and more dynamic! Digital Differentiation offers teachers and students many ways to reach all learners.
I created these to use with my special education students, based on their IEP. These are personalized choice boards to guide their learning. The choices are both low tech and high tech options. This one is geared toward younger students. It also can be used to keep data ...
NYC Teacher Mary Vagenas shares a differentiated lesson in which students choose three different activities in each of the following categories: An Appetizer (warm up activity) An Entree (main acti…
I love learning menus, and it is one of my favorite ways to incorporate student choice and to differentiate learning. And with digital tools like G Suite for Education, it's super easy to make menus interactive, digital, and more dynamic! Digital Differentiation offers teachers and students many ways to reach all learners.
I love learning menus, and it is one of my favorite ways to incorporate student choice and to differentiate learning. And with digital tools like G Suite for Education, it's super easy to make menus interactive, digital, and more dynamic! Digital Differentiation offers teachers and students many ways to reach all learners.
Step-by-step how to say common foods in German both in single and plural form. Get it right with this written and spoken German language guide.
NYC Teacher Mary Vagenas shares a differentiated lesson in which students choose three different activities in each of the following categories: An Appetizer (warm up activity) An Entree (main acti…
Hello again friends! This year, I am piloting personalized learning in my new school! I have been very excited about learning ways to help my students work on becoming more independent and taking charge of their own learning. The journey to embracing personalized learning has been full of twists and turns, but I honestly think...Read More »
For anyone traveling to or living in China/Taiwan. This cheat sheet literally changes everything.
Tips for finding what you need on Laura Candler's Teaching Resources website.
5 Reasons to Use Digital Choice Boards in the Classroom: Personalize learning with digital choice boards and activities. Great way to integrate technology into the classroom while providing a rich learning experience for a variety of learners. Digital differentiation! Think of it like a hyperdoc or hyperslide :)
Lauri Secker (former Athena Teacher) has developed an incredibly differentiated and rigorous approach to project based learning. She has put together 14 different types of projects, each with a tw…
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How to structure learning stations with Google Classroom, docs, slides, and forms; 10 ways to use learning stations with online teaching and remote / distance learning
Innovative teachers empower students through the use of the choice board, either in paper or digital format. Learn how and see examples in this blog.
Step-by-step how to say common foods in German both in single and plural form. Get it right with this written and spoken German language guide.
Amplifying the energy and innovation at the heart of Sydney's restaurant scene is the Vivid Chef Series.
This post combines two of my favorite things, podcasts and choice boards--a Podcast PD Choice Board for Teachers! I put together this Podcast PD Choice Board that includes choices from both the Shake Up Learning Show Podcast and my other podcast, The Google Teacher Tribe. Use this on your own, or if you deliver professional development to educators, feel free to adapt this for your school or organization. Get the free template or use the blank template to create your own!
In this episode, Kasey explores a new feature in Google Docs--the drop-down menu! Kasey shares 15+ ways for teachers and students to make the most of this creative and customizable new feature, including choice boards, PBL, peer reviews, trackers, and more!
For this week's writing inspiration, I chose finishing strong. Poem: "See It Through" by Edgar Albert Guest This poem is about finishi...
Are you looking to display different navigation menus to different users or on different pages? Here's how to add conditional logic to menus in WordPress.
From my years in the classroom , I've seen firsthand the transformative power of iPads in education. They are not just tools for browsing the internet or watching videos; they are gateways to a world of interactive learning, creative expression, and efficient study habits. However, with great tools comes the need for proper guidance. That's why I've put together this iPad cheat sheet for students. It's designed to help learners of all ages navigate the basics, explore advanced features, and make the most of their digital learning experience.
HyperDocs make room for more interactive, personalized, and student-directed learning. Let's look at how they work.
Bubble tea, or boba, is a globally popular drink with chains opening stores in cities worldwide. When traveling to Taiwan, trying bubble tea and learning how to order it in Chinese is essential for…
FREE Hyperdoc Template! Hyperdocs are amazing, but this is an entire Hyperdoc UNIT that will blow your mind! This Hyperdoc has it all, y'all! Everything from vocabulary to STEM to booksnaps!
Learn the basics about all types of diabetes from the experts at WebMD.
Are probiotics and digestive enzymes the same thing? Well, no - take a look at the differences between the two in our detailed article.
Our kid-friendly Ireland profile page includes a detailed country map, infographic, photo gallery, video, activities, and more!
Personal development: nine ways to improve your critical thinking skills Critical thinking questions Learning methods Critical thinking activities Differentiated learning Learning strategies Critical thinking improves your decision-making abilities by raising your patterns of decision-making to the level of conscious and deliberate choice. Critical thinking, when deeply understood, enables you to take control of the thinking
