DI FOR THE LITTLE GUY!

Differentiated Instruction for the Primary Classroom K-1

Presenter – Kim Adsit

Classroom Observation – Instructional Focus Checklist

  • Keep a standard checklist with their names (down the left column) and blank boxes
  • Select instructional focus/standard for observation based on your plans for the week. Write it across the top of the spreadsheet, one per column.
  • As the children demonstrate an understanding of that standard, put a date in the column by their name.
  • By the end of the week, you know who you need to see. Use this information to form small groups for the next week for both enrichment and tutorial.

Monday Journals

  • Monday Journals are kept as a portfolio of the children’s writing.
  • Each Monday the children make an entry in the journal. This shows the writing throughout the year.
  • Stamp the date on each page to show the growth.

Standards Spreadsheet

  • One each month/9 week period
  • Keeping a class list by standard helps you to form small groups for instruction or interventions.

Forming Groups – “Families” – All levels, Work Well Together

  • Divide your children into five families.
  • Each group should contain children of all academic levels that work well together.
  • They will be the support system for each other.
  • This will be their work group during math and literacy centers. Also, it allows for quick grouping. “Get with your family and …”
  • Group never changes.

DI for the Little Guy! Workshop

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Reading with Friends (Poster)

  • Read a book together.
  • Take turns with the same book.
  • I read, you read.
  • Share your favorite part, an interesting part.
  • “I heard you say…”

Structure of the Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop

  1. Mini Lesson:

Connect to Prior Knowledge

Teach New Concept

Active Engagement: children practice the new lesson

Link: children whisper talk what they are going to do

  1. Work time
  2. Share time

Children’s Writing Development

  1. Draw – meaning comes from the picture
  2. Drite – meaning comes from the picture and includes meaningful letters
  3. Write – meaning comes from the words but may contain a picture

Interactive Writing allows you to adjust your instruction to meet the needs of your individual learners.

Activities That Lend Themselves to DI

  • Literacy Games
  • Math Games

Tutorial Bags

  • These bags are formed to help children who did not master a standard based on classroom observation or an assessment given by the teacher.
  • Directions are written on cards. Cards and needed supplies are stored in individual zipper bags for each child.
  • Items are reviewed daily, or as possible.