Differentiation Dive

Not planned. Not graded. Definitely not fancy.

But, it’s what we needed!

Sometimes, our lessons don’t go exactly as planned.
Sometimes everyone (including, or especially you 😬) is feeling burnt out or overwhelmed.
Sometimes you might just have an extra 15 minutes!

Try a quick choice break! You don’t need to have pre-made supplies or a new lesson. Use materials, games, or tasks your students are familiar with and allow everyone to choose what fees right for them in that moment. In this example, we chose some very basic options, but to give you some other ideas…

🟡 Listen to an audiobook

🟡 Dot to Dot

🟡 Color by Number

🟡 iPad math game

🟡 Manipulative Play (Legos, Dominos, Pattern Blocks, etc)

🟡 Buddy read

🟡 Listen to a mindfulness podcast

🟡 Puzzle or board game

Pro Tip 👆🏼: It helps to provide both independent and social options for students who get their energy back in different ways.

Back to basics, linking cube edition.
Sorting. Patterns. Skip counting. You name it, we can try it!
Looking for an SEL connection? We can do that too!
Create how you feel. Build an animal to represent your mood. What color are you feeling?
An easy, meaningful center that anyone can lead!

📖✏️🏃🏽‍♀️🗒

When you need a break from the worksheets AND sitting still.

I SPY: Differentiation Strategies 👀

How many can you spot? 👇🏼

1- Student Choice: Following a math task students students could choose to take an independent and read or a social break and play a math game!

2- Flexible Seating: Students are able to sit in chairs, on the floor, or stand at open seats. {This wasn’t always the case in our class and sometimes we pull back. Students must be explicitly taught how to make seating choices that are a good fit for them!}

3- A personal checklist on the math puzzle with built in breaks

4- Clipboards! Again must be taught but can make a big difference in handwriting and motivation!