A Bit of Reading

If you have visited my blog in the past, you might have noticed my posts covered topics in math. Have you visited my Pinterest boards? Now, there you will find nothing but math. I have over 4,000 followers and counting. Guess a lot of people like math! If you haven't checked it out...give it a try. You might find something you can use with your students!

The reality is, my world is not all math. I thought I would start sharing some reading ideas too. I recently have gotten into this phase of creating anchor mats for learning. I know anchor charts have a predominant place in many classrooms, but I like students to have their own that they can revisit throughout the year. I am a firm believer in recycling and revisiting key skills.

I recently uploaded a freebie in my TpT store to use when students are asked to find the lesson of a story. This skill is introduced to students in first grade with CCSS 1.RL.2 and continues to build in grades 2 (2.RL.2) and 3 (3.RL.2). By grade 4, students are asked to find the theme.

The anchor mat explores what a lesson is. Students can learn lessons in many different ways! The organizer can be used for students to record their thinking.

Some of the images on these pages are in color, but the pages can be printed in grayscale to save ink. Or students can put the pages into a plastic sleeve and use a wipe-off marker to respond. Or using a document camera, the pages can be projected onto a whiteboard. Students can respond on sticky notes and then add their sticky notes to each section. Students then can compare their ideas.

Click on the image above to view the download. If you give it a try, please leave feedback. I hearing and learning from others.

Math Differentiation in a Nutshell Template

Elementary Example

With the school year just around the corner, we will be facing a whole new class of students with different readiness levels. How do we reach each student? Are there multiple entry points of learning so we can hook all our students? Do we have a list of resources/ideas to address those students who are below target, on target, and above target?

Middle School Example

This is a template I have used in the past to help brainstorm and create a resource for differentiation in the math classroom. You can see a few different examples and the variety of resources listed. Two of the templates were compiled by teachers in my district during some differentiation training I facilitated. One was completed at the elementary buildings. Currently, our math program is Trailblazers. Another one was completed at the middle school. Currently, our math program for grades 6-8 is Connected Mathematics 2 (CMP2). Once this template is filled out, it becomes a friendly reminder of "go to" resources when trying to address the various readiness levels of our students. This template certainly does not have to be completed by buildings. The benefit of this, however, is there are many teachers contributing ideas. Collaboration is a powerful tool!

Classroom Example

For personal classroom use, the template can be filled out for a particular concept. See my 3rd grade example using Common Core standard 3.MD.1. You can see how the Common Core standard is included. Specific activities/resources to address different readiness levels are listed as well. The key to any learning opportunity is closure/synthesis. Notice how I included "I can..." statements at the bottom of my 3rd grade template.

Some of the ideas/math tools listed on my 3rd grade differentiation template on time can be found pinned on my Pinterest. Click here and preview some of my boards. At this time, I have devoted Pinterest entirely to math! Need some ideas, find a board that relates to your topic of study and find resources you can use with your students to address their various readiness levels! It is amazing the resources that are out there that teachers are willing to share.

Grab a copy of any of these templates by clicking on the image or images of choice!

Blank Template