Differentiating Literacy
Part 1: Planning Differentiated Instruction: Complete each of the steps below to complete the chart.
• With your mentor, identify an upcoming lesson or activity in which you could work with the small group (3-5) of students.
• With your mentor, identify and unwrap at least one reading and one writing standard that will be the focus of the lesson. For each standard, identify the concepts that students need to know and the skills that student need to demonstrate.
• With your mentor, brainstorm research-based instructional strategies for differentiating the lesson content, process, and product to meet the needs of the students in the small group. With your mentor, select the instructional strategies you will employ and record them on the chart along with your rationale for using each strategy.
• With your mentor, discuss how you will assess the students and develop the assessment.
• With the guidance of your mentor, develop any materials that will be needed to support the lesson, including online tools/applications that can be used to enhance and practice literacy and creative arts skills.
• With your mentor playing the role of the students, practice presenting the lesson/activity you will do with the students to ensure you are you are correctly implementing each step of the activity and assessment.
: Under the direction of your mentor, work with the small group of students you previously identified to implement the lesson/activity and assessment you designed in Part 1 of the assignment.
Part 3: Mentor Debriefing: After you implement the lesson/activity, meet with your mentor to debrief about the delivery of the lesson/activity. Record notes in the space below as you talk with your mentor about the following:
• What was your mentor’s feedback on the effectiveness of your implementation of the lesson/activity and record?
• Describe the students’ responses to the lesson/activities and what was effective in helping students practice their literacy skills. Include discussion of the student assessment results.
• Identify potential areas for change or improvement in the lesson/activity and/or assessment based upon the student response and outcomes and your mentor’s feedback.
Sample Solution
Part 1: Planning Differentiated Instruction
Lesson/Activity: Teaching students how to write a persuasive essay on the topic of climate change.
Reading Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7: Interpret information presented in diagrams and charts.
- Concepts: Data analysis, interpreting visuals, evaluating evidence.
- Skills: Reading comprehension, critical thinking, summarizing.
Writing Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and evidence.
Full Answer Section
- Concepts: Persuasive writing, argumentation, supporting evidence.
- Skills: Writing structure, organization, clarity, coherence.
| Strategy | Rationale |
| Tiered Activities: Provide different levels of complexity for the persuasive essay prompt. For example, students could choose from topics like "reduce plastic use" or "support renewable energy." | Accommodates students with varying levels of writing ability and interest. |
| Flexible Grouping: Group students based on their reading comprehension levels and writing skills. | Allows for targeted instruction and support. |
| Graphic Organizers: Provide visual organizers like Venn diagrams or fishbone diagrams to help students organize their thoughts and evidence. | Supports students who struggle with planning and organizing their writing. |
| Technology Integration: Use online tools like Google Docs or Evernote for collaborative writing and research. | Enhances engagement and provides opportunities for peer feedback. |
- Implementation: Conduct the lesson with the small group of students, following the planned strategies and providing ongoing support and feedback.
- Assessment: Collect and review the students' persuasive essays to assess their understanding of the concepts, application of skills, and overall quality of writing.
- Mentor Feedback: Discuss your mentor's observations on the effectiveness of your implementation, including the use of differentiated strategies, student engagement, and overall lesson flow.
- Student Responses: Reflect on the students' responses to the lesson, their participation in activities, and their performance on the assessment.
- Areas for Improvement: Identify any areas where the lesson could be strengthened, such as providing additional support for struggling students or incorporating more interactive activities.