Principles/Generalizations/Big Ideas (Change can be both positive and negative. Exploration results in change. People’s perspectives affect how they respond to change).
Skills
Basic (literacy, numeracy)
Thinking (analysis, evidence of reasoning,
questioning)
Of the Discipline (graphing/math/social
studies)
Planning (goal setting; use of time)
Social
KNOW
UNDERSTAND
BE ABLE TO DO
In general, these are held steady as a core for nearly all learners in a differentiated classroom.*
*Exception--linear skills and information that can be assessed for mastery in the sequence (e.g. spelling)
KNOW……
Differentiation is a philosophy that honors and celebrates the unique qualities of each student.
A student-centered classroom based on well-defined individual needs provides the appropriate context for differentiation.
Research and rationale to support building healthy classroom environments
Ways to assess students’ learning profiles and how to use the information to develop healthy learning communities
Strategies to develop classroom communities that support differentiation including flexible grouping strategies
Classroom management techniques that support differentiation
UNDERSTAND THAT……
Students’ learning needs differ in many ways, and responsive teaching requires a proactive approach to meeting those needs while maintaining high quality and rigorous curriculum.
A student-centered classroom based on well-defined individual needs provides the appropriate context for differentiation.
When students assume ownership and responsibility for classroom procedures, learning, and developing a personal best work effort, the result is high achievement and motivation.
A classroom environment that supports differentiation balances student voice and choice with teacher direction, is cooperative rather than competitive and honors and celebrates student differences instead of hiding or ignoring them.
BE ABLE TO DO……
Explain the theoretical basis for differentiation
Assess learning profiles and manage the information for all students
The skill portion encourages the students to “think” like the professionals who use the knowledge and skill daily as a matter of how they do business. This is what it means to “be like” a doctor, a scientist, a writer or an artist.
These are the written statements of truth, the core to the meaning(s) of the lesson(s) or unit. These are what connect the parts of a subject to the student’s life and to other subjects.
It is through the understanding component of instruction that we teach our students to truly grasp the “point” of the lesson or the experience.
Understandings are purposeful. They focus on the key ideas that require students to understand information and make connections while evaluating the relationships that exit within the understandings.
Understand
Major Concepts and
Subconcepts
What is Understanding?
Can you explain what understanding means to you?
How is it different from knowing and doing?
How do you know when you understand?
How do you know if you UNDERSTAND?
Think - Pair - Share
Talk to someone nearby about ways you could demonstrate that you understand a concept, or ways you ensure that your student understand something
