How Wee Learn

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Teaching and Reaching EVERYONE

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I am excited to partner with Study.com today to bring you this GIVEAWAY and valuable information. 

I am always baffled when people question how I can teach multiple grades at home. How can I teach grade 1 and grade 3 and still ensure each child is being appropriately challenged? I suppose it baffles me so much because when I was teaching in the classroom I was ALWAYS teaching a much larger range of ability levels. Sure, the children were the same age, but there was often a 4 year range in academic abilities.

The trick then, as it is now, is to ‘differentiate’ my instruction. This basically means using one lesson, and adapting it so it reaches everyone! I find this such a critical thing to ensure my little learners are happily in their “just right” zones, that when I was contacted by Study.com to share some information about differentiated instruction, I jumped at the chance.

How I teach multiple ages and ability levels with the same lessons!#sponsored #homeschool #intheclassroom #teacher

I hope you find this post helpful in either getting started with differentiated instruction in your homeschool or classroom, or perhaps refreshing you on why it is so very important.

I sat down with Lana from Study.com and asked her some questions. Not only did she provide me with such valuable responses, she also offered us a GIVEAWAY!

Read to the bottom of this post and leave a comment for your chance to win one of 3 three month subscriptions to study.com!

I loved that idea so much, I am adding in my own giveaway! Not only will you win a 3 month subscription to study.com, you will also win a copy of my eBook, Play into Reading Readiness!

Here is my conversation with Lana:

How would you explain “Differentiated Instruction”?

Simply put, differentiated instruction is the umbrella term used to describe the variety of ways teachers support their students in accessing lesson content. Classrooms contain students who not only have different abilities and skills, but also different ages, learning styles, levels of prior understanding and cultural/linguistic backgrounds.

For that reason, teachers work hard to make sure all students can access their lessons and make progress – whether by modifying resources, creating lesson cues, using different success criteria or grouping students strategically, to name a few.

Why is Differentiated Instruction so important for young children?

Imagine – you have just transferred into a new school, halfway through Grade 3. Not only do you have to get to know the building, routines, classmates and teachers – that’s daunting enough! You also have to try to understand what’s being taught. What if this class is half way through a unit you haven’t studied before? What if you understand little of what’s being said? What if you find new environments over-stimulating or intimidating, and you’re struggling to concentrate?

Maybe you’re not the new kid, but simply struggle to read. Maybe you find math confusing and frustrating. Or perhaps you mastered these skills long before your peers and you need more challenge.

Without differentiated instruction you may not be getting a great learning experience, and that can lead to all sorts of problems – distraction, disruption, listlessness, a loss of motivation to learn. Teachers practicing differentiated instruction are working hard to keep all their students engaged, motivated and on course to do the best that they can, every day.

How can Study.com support us as we differentiate our teaching for our children?

Well, for starters we are hugely proud of our content – our differentiated instruction hub provides practical ideas and resources for general classroom use as well as according to subject; it also gives advice on how to create high quality lessons with differentiation in mind and contains a professional development course for teachers.

But it’s not just the differentiated instruction hub itself that is relevant here. Lessons on Study.com are all short, animated 5-minute videos. Teachers can assign these lessons and the accompanying quizzes and assessments as homework, which gives the students the chance to take their time.

If they get something wrong on a quiz, they get sent back to the appropriate place in the video to learn the right answer. This reduces pressure on students who struggle to concentrate or listen for long periods and helps them to stay motivated. Assessments are graded automatically, giving teachers more time for preparation.

Some teachers report flipping their classroom: using Study.com to set pre-reading and research in preparation for their lesson. Others print our worksheets and resources for use in class, which can then double up as lesson cues, supporting lower ability students to follow the lesson. And with such a library of resources, it’s easy for teachers to challenge high performing students with more advanced material.

I love how, when looking at assessment, you talk about product vs. process. Can you tell us a little more about this please?

When assessing student performance you can ask them to produce something – say, a science report or persuasive poster – and make a judgement on their level of understanding and ability on the topic at hand. This is a product assessment.

But sometimes the things you want to assess aren’t tangible – say, a student’s ability to ask insightful questions, organize their thoughts (and therefore work), or how a concept is connected to other things they have learnt. These intangibles are no less important to gauge if you want to differentiate effectively and help your students to learn.

In these cases, teachers will perform a process assessment. This sounds very official, but it may be as simple as setting up group discussions, whole-class feedback sessions or having one-to-one check-ins with students of the kind that happen all the time in classrooms.

Some activities may allow you to assess product and process at the same time. For example, English essays and class presentations both allow you to assess a student’s understanding of a topic, and they also tell you something about how the student organizes their thoughts, their level of analysis and their ability to make connections between ideas.

Thank you Lana and Study.com!

I have been so impressed with the professionalism of this company and how devoted they are to teachers both in the classroom and at home. I am sure you will be too!

How I teach multiple ages and ability levels with the same lessons!#sponsored #homeschool #intheclassroom #teacher

To be entered into the GIVEAWAY of BOTH:

1) Three free 3 month subscription to Study.com,

2) AND three free Play into Reading Readiness eBooks,

please simply leave a comment below.

Tell me in your comment: are you a teacher in the classroom or home with your kids?

GOOD LUCK!!! And thank you for reading friends!!

The Giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered! And congratulations to our 3 winners!!

Comments

  1. I’m home with my girls doing a preschool homeschool and I love it so much. I never really used to like school growing up but now I love learning new thing with my daughters!

    Reply

  2. I find your blogs and activities to be very inspiring. I always loved doing projects with my kids: art, crafts, music, sports. Although retired now, I plan to volunteer in my community to work with wee ones to enrich their learning experiences. And I hope one day to be a grandma to share my passion and curiosity with little ones.

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  3. I loved the idea of reaching all my students in the classroom. The idea of preparing different activities and approaches is overwhelming me. I’m so interested in checking out what Study.com offers and I’m sure I will find the support and resources I need. Thank you for sharing this conversation.

    Reply

    • It is definitely an art to learn Ruba – I completely feel you on that one! Study.com has such great resources to support us with this venture. Good luck!

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  7. I’m home with my kiddos who are still young, but I plan to homeschool when they reach school age. I’ve already started trying to teach my 2 1/2 year old some letters.

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  8. Hi There,
    I’m a librarian but when my son went off to college a few years ago, I wanted to work helping teach and resource moms with young kids so I’m now working as a head start home visitor and parent educator. I love developing lesson plans to help moms support their kids learning!! thanks for all your good suggestions!
    All best,
    Abby

    Reply

  10. Helllo,
    Thank you for allowing mme to enjoy your resources that can be beneficial to my students. I have enjoyed reading your blog. Keep them coming.

    Reply

  11. I am a disabled, mother of three, awesome young adults who decided to not let my disability keep me down, so decided to go to school for Child Development, because I want to own my own daycare when I am finished. I am forty- nine years old, but I say you are never too old to have a dream. Making it happen is the key! My kids are all grown, so it is time to focus on me and getting back in school and making this happen!!

    Reply

  13. I teach three and four year olds in a preschool. It sounds like something I can implement in the classroom. I’m really excited about the e book. I’m always looking for tips and ideas for pre reading activities.

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  14. I am at home now with my three little ones. Before being home I had various jobs in the early childhood field. One of my favorite being a preschool teacher and the next being a coach and mentor to early childhood educators. I appreciate how you stress the importance of play in learning. Play can be the best way to differentiate instruction as we engage with children in their environment. Being a mom is a lot different than being a teacher. But both roles has been helpful to the other :). Wishing you all the best!

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  16. I’m so intrigued! Thanks for all you do! I’m soon to be a mom of two 🙂 I need all the help I can get!
    Erin

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  17. I am a retired elementary teacher but I enjoy reading your articles and I have shared them with young teachers still in the field.

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    • Thank you so much for sharing my site with your colleagues Lucy – what a compliment! Thank you for entering my giveaway – good luck!

      Reply

  18. This sounds super AWSOME!!! I have a daycare & totally enjoy reading & using your ideas. Thank you very much for sharing!!! Keep up the amazing job you are doung?

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  20. Dear Sarah,

    I’m a teacher in the classroom and I found the ‘Differentiated Instructions’ teaching environment is useful and is in-line with my style of teacher. I am interested to learn more about it.

    Thanks.

    Kind regards,
    Michelle

    Reply

  21. I am a kindergarden teacher and this year I have mostly children before going to school. Each of them is as different as he-she can be 🙂 We intend to make projects and Im sure your giveaway will be helpful. Thank you! Andreja

    Reply

  23. I am a teacher in a VPK classroom and struggle with coming up with ideas to teach my students at different levels. Some have no knowledge of numbers and letters, and others are sounding out words. I’m always looking for ideas to make circle time engaging for those who are ahead but not too difficult for those still learning basic skills. During the summer I work with many age groups so being able to take one lesson plan and make it suitable for many ages would be a huge help.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much for entering the giveaway Cindy. You certainly sound like you would benefit from winning – good luck!

      Reply

  24. Getting my 4 YOLG ready for reading. She’s such and avid book girl, I can’t wait to see what happens when she can read for herself. Thank you for your blog. We enjoy your activities!

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    • Thank you Kristi! Getting our little ones set on the road to reading is such an exciting time! Good for you both – thank you for entering the giveaway. Good luck

      Reply

  27. hello and God Bless you for all the materials you provide. i am raising my niece and nephew and we do crafts etc. all the time. even though i am on a fixed income and we dont have money to do a lot of things, i am always able to find so much we can do. What a blessing to find how we learn. I look forward to seeing what we can all learn together. Thank You.

    Reply

  28. I have taught at an Early Childhood Center for 12 years, and I am seeing a greater need for planning for differentiation instruction. I am constantly looking for additional activities, lessons and experiments that allow the children to work hands-on. Thank you for all the amazing ideas and information that you provide!!

    Reply

  29. It’s difficult thinking of an activity that will keep various ages busy this would be great for my Childminding setting. Thank you for all your information it’s really helpful to me. ?

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  30. Hi! Am I dreaming? I think it would be a revolution in our edication system if a teacher could differentient her/his instructions for his/her students, make all educational process more individual. I am sure eager to check all the tools. I am a teacher but now I raising two boys at home. And knowing all problems of education today I prefer homeschool for my kids. I am sure eager to check how it can be. I am sure if a teacher could find an individual key to every ofhis / her students it would make a big difference in our lives.

    Reply

  31. I really enjoyed reading this interview. I will check out more at study.com. I am preparing to start homeschooling next year with four children at different grade levels. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us!

    Dara

    Reply

    • Oh you can do it Dara! Homeschooling is such an amazing adventure. Thank you so much for entering the giveaway, good luck!

      Reply

    • CONGRATULATIONS DARA! You have won a 3 month subscription to study.com and a copy of my eBook, Play into Reading Readiness. Please check your email for more information.

      Reply

  33. This certainly sound a very impressive way of getting the students involved in personal development and achievement. I work in a day care that has children from babies to 5 year old and I find the latter group the hardest to stay focused. Being able to set them tasks to do at home on laptops sound really exciting Thank you for taking the time to share this concept with us.

    Reply

  34. I am a first year teacher, teaching preschool! We’ve been in school for 4 weeks so far (this is the 5th week) and I am loving it, just need more exposure to activities for my youngsters!

    Reply

  38. My babies are young but I want to homeschool them when they get old enough and I’m loving doing preschool activities with my 4 year old!

    Reply

  39. Your resources are fantastic! I have my own babysitting business, and your ideas definitely make learning fun for the children!

    Reply

  40. I am grandmother to twin boys who are autistic and attend public school. I’m looking for ideas I can introduce to each that will help bring them academically up to level.

    Reply

  41. I have just started my 30th year of teaching special education. I actually got my own classroom in the middle of my student teaching because the class is so large. Due to a variety of circumstances both personal and throughout the district to do the budget Terry constraints, my final year is not working with behaviorally challenged students for the first time. Instead, I am working with severely developmentally delayed second graders. In my current classroom I have students functioning from approximately 18 months old to four years old. This old dog is willing to learn new tricks, but I sure could use some mentorship and support in order to do a good job! Maybe winning this giveaway will help!

    Reply

    • What an incredible story and career you have had. And we could certainly ALL use some mentorship and support – couldn’t we? Thank you for entering the giveaway – good luck!

      Reply

  43. I’m an Early Childhood Coordinator with Save the Children’s Early Steps to School Success program. I work with family who are pregnant and with child birth to five years old. I love the resources you provide. Great read and wonderful ideas.

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  44. I am not actually a teacher, but yet i am one in many ways. I have a teen(13) in public school who enjoys reading and a granddaughter (3) in preschool who told me this weekend that she loves books (Awesome!!). I also help a friend’s child (6) who is struggling with reading. I sometimes tutor for a local non profit. And I have a passion for ensuring all children’s love of reading. I am a board member of the local library and specialize in children’s programs. I am so thankful I found your site tonight! I will be searching your site but any suggestions to help the beginning reader (6) would be most appreciated. Thanks for this terrific interview and giveaway. PS. I’ll be sharing the info from this post with the local school which has some has some grades that share classrooms.

    Reply

    • Well it certainly sounds as though you are a teacher to me Anna. And thank you for sharing my site! That is truly the biggest compliment! Thank you for entering the giveaway – good luck!

      Reply

  45. I am a mom to a 4 year old boy and a 17 year old daughter. My son has SPD Sensory Processing Disorder. Special needs… I work as a teacher in 3k and homeschool some . So my son doesn’t fall behind

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  46. I am a homeschooling mom of 3 children under 7 and a full time pediatrician on the side. ? Thanks for all your great ideas when my brain is scrambled!!! God bless you and your family

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    • WOW! You certainly have a full plate – I am so happy to be of help! Thank you for entering the giveaway – good luck!

      Reply

  47. Hello, Sarah. You are doing a wonderful job! Thank you for sharing your experience. Your thoughts resonate with the feelings of my heart. I’m glad to find your blog.
    I am the mother of three children – 10, 7, and 3 year old. I liked to do preschool activities with my children at home. Now two of them is going to our eco community school. In this September I started to work as a teacher with 3 – 5 years children in recently established kindergarten of our community. I want to create a creative, educational, full of discoveries and a fun environment for children to grow.
    With best regards –
    Ina from Lithuania

    Reply

    • Thank you for your lovely message Ina and for telling me a little about yourself and your family. Thank you for entering the giveaway – good luck!

      Reply

  48. I’m a homeschooling mom with a 4 year old kindergartener and an almost 3 year old. We love learning through play!

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  49. I am always seeking to expand my knowledge of working with children and having a 8 month old at home I want to be able to share with her the importance of reading.

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  50. I am a retired teacher now. I opened a literacy center and I have a charity class of 7 kids, multi grade. Differentiated instruction is perfect for them. We meet (teach) the kids where they are, so we say.

    Reply

  52. I have found differentiated instruction a challenge in a class with vastly wide abilities, but now teaching my 2 kids at home has been so much better using some of your resources! Much appreciated!

    Reply

  53. I am a primary teacher, but home with my two daughters at the moment. I have just started my own business where I run hands on/play based learning activities for 3-5yo. So important for kids to play – amazing what they learn. Love reading your blogs. Thank you

    Reply

  54. I am a homeschool mom of 6, pre-school to senior in high school. People ask me how I can teach so many different ages, too. It’s a challenge, but one that I love. We have so much fun learning as a family! Thank you for all that you share! I am inspired and motivated by your articles and look forward to your emails.

    Reply

    • CONGRATULATIONS KIRSTEN! You have won a 3 month subscription to study.com and a copy of my eBook, Play into Reading Readiness. Please check your email for more information.

      Reply

  55. I’m a nanny for a family with a little girl of 2 years old. Thanks for your daily e-mails about great things to do with children. Also thank you for doing a giveaway to offer help to us so we can help children grow and learn.

    Reply

  56. I am a teacher in a very diverse Kindergarten, grade one and grade two classroom. With multiple ages, interests and skill levels, I find it challenging to provide quality differentiated activities without resorting to worksheets.

    Valerie

    Reply

    • CONGRATULATIONS VALERIE! You have won a 3 month subscription to study.com and a copy of my eBook Play into Kindergarten Readiness! Please check your email for more information.

      Reply

  57. Iam a grandma and work in my church school. I love to reach every child at level of there understanding, and you have been of tremendous help to me. Thanks and may you be richly rewarded.

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  58. I love all the activities, series, printables, ECT…that you post on your site and I receive emails regarding. My daughter is three and has been diagnosed with high functioning Autism which is very new to me but with all that you do learning/teaching her has become a great amount of ‘easier”..plus she enjoys my teachings!! Thank you so much for allowing us to enter into your giveaways as well..YOUR AWESOME!!

    Reply

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