Differentiating Instruction & Independent Learning

 

This section of the blog highlights a company called “Mindsteps”. This company helps teachers and educational leaders to:

-identify the core elements of teaching so that they can delve into the root problems and create change in the classroom and throughout the school.

-demystify the art of teaching so that they can focus on improving the practice of instruction.

-adapt the seven principles of effective instruction and help them apply those principles to everyday lessons without sacrificing their unique contributions in the classroom.

The Reference Guide can be found at this link:

http://mindstepsinc.com/differentiation/ under “Resources for the Classroom”

It is a great guide for spelling out the content, process, product and environment for teaching students with the following disabilities: HCHP,HCLP,LCHP,LCLP

 

Planning Sheet can be found from this link:

http://mindstepsinc.com/differentiation/ under “Resources for the Classroom”

This sheet helps teachers to assess 6 different subjects in the classroom and how they can be altered to assist children with disabilities: Knowledge/Skill, Direct Instruction, Guided Practice, Independent, Practice, Assessment, Acceleration and Remediation.

A Sample Unit Plan can be found from this link:
http://mindstepsinc.com/differentiation/ under “Resources for the Classroom”

The Sample History Unitprovides an example of how a history teacher could lay out a lesson plan for the Articles of Confederation and then fill in different alterations to that plan according to different children with disability’s needs. For example, as a teacher you could mention a few nice-to-knows that will not be on the test. Or provide optional note-taking graphic organizers to help students stay with the material. You could also provide an outline template for the essay.