3 Ways to Plan for Diverse Learners: What Teachers Do

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and crew are so intimidated by the Wizard’s enigmatic personality that they struggle to talk with him on equal footing. Fear and frustration overwhelm them as they blindly accept a suicide mission to slay the Witch of the West. In return, they each receive a treasured prize: a heart, a brain, courage, and a way home. Differentiated instruction (DI) casts a spell on educators as to how it meets all students’ needs. The DI elements were first introduced to me in How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms by Carol Tomlinson, and my understanding later deepened thanks to my friend and mentor Dr. Image Credit: John McCarthy Content, process, and product are what teachers address all the time during lesson planning and instruction. Differentiating Content Content comprises the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students need to learn based on the curriculum. For example, in a lesson on fractions, students could: Differentiating Process Related: rtiteacher

Assessment Instruments for Use with Students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds Compiled by Olaya Landa-Vialard, Ed.D., CTVI Contents Criterion-Referenced Assessment: Curriculum-Based Assessment: Norm-Referenced Assessments/Inventories: Criterion-Referenced Assessment: Brigance Assessment of Basic Skills-Revised, English and Spanish Edition (also available in Laotian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Taglog For K&1 Screen, kindergarten level only) with accommodations from the Learning Media Assessment and Functional Vision Evaluation (LMA/FVE) that were conducted by the Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Battelle Developmental Inventory-II (BDI-II), Spanish Edition (also available in English; no other languages are available with the BDI-II) with accommodations from the Learning Media Assessment and Functional Vision Evaluation (Depending on administration this could also be considered a Curriculum-Based assessment) Curriculum-Based Assessment: Oregon Project for Preschool Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired Carolina Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs

Apps to Support Diverse Learners in the Classroom Do you like apps? Do you use them in the classroom? Not every district, school, or parent has the ability to support apps in the day-to-day learning environment, but for those that can, there are some fun, effective, tried-and-true apps that can make a tremendous difference in the lives of diverse learners. Many states now require incorporating technology into standardized testing, so the number of systems with the ability and willingness to support apps and software is also increasing. Many teachers and parents enjoy apps just as much as students. Staying on Track EpicWin is an organizational or executive function tool that is great for keeping students on task, keeping them from procrastinating, and using gaming to incentivize their tasks. Picking Up on Social Cues Sōsh helps students develop social skills and cope with stress or anxiety. Relate Relax Reason Regulate Recognize Prioritizing Time Strengthening Math Sharpening Language What are your favorite apps for diverse learners?

Five Ways Teachers Can Use Technology to Help Students Thomas Edison once said, “Books will soon be obsolete in the public schools…our school system will be completely changed inside of ten years.” Amazingly enough, however, one of our nation’s most important inventors was proven quite wrong. The American education system has a remarkable resistance to innovation and the classroom experience has changed very little in the 100 years since Edison’s prediction. Advances in information technology have revolutionized how people communicate and learn in nearly every aspect of modern life except for education. The education system operates under the antiquated needs of an agrarian and industrial America. Technology has failed to transform our schools because the education governance system insulates them from the disruptions that technology creates in other organizations. To overcome these obstacles, we must persuade teachers that technology will empower them and help their students learn. Schools must use technology that empowers teachers.

Gives great resources 4 Reasons Why Classrooms Need Diversity Education School climate and school culture directly impact student success. As a result, it is particularly important for the school culture (and the classroom culture) to reflect, acknowledge, and celebrate diversity. Taking these feel-good ideals and making them a reality can be tough for educators, especially with so many other initiatives on their ever-tighter schedules. But I think that this is so important that as an educator, you must take the time to do it. How to celebrate diversity in the classroom is another article, but for now, I want you to begin your journey with knowing exactly why it’s important. 1. 2. 3. 4. What are some easy ways you’ve found to promote diversity in your classroom? Also, if you’re interested in learning more about how you can celebrate diversity in class, here are some tips I have for you.

Early Reading Assessment: A Guiding Tool for Instruction Click the "References" link above to hide these references. Armstrong, Thomas (1994). Multiple intelligences in the classroom. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Balanced Reading.com. Retrieved November 16, 2004, from: Big Ideas in Early Reading, University of Oregon. DeBruinParecki, A. (2004). Fuchs, L. Gardner, Howard (1983). High-stakes assessments in reading: A position statement of the International Reading Association. Rhodes, L. Skiba, R. Torgeson, J. Wren, S. (2004, November).

Teaching Diverse Learners Using Technology in the Multicultural Classroom by Cynthia Dume on Prezi Step by step guide to intergrating technology