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Contents - Reaching every learner: Differentiating instruction in theory and practice

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LEARN NC was a program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education from 1997 - 2013. It provided lesson plans, professional development, and innovative web resources to support teachers, build community, and improve K-12 education in North Carolina.

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Connects RIT with Reading Resources

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ACT, PSAT, SBAC, PARCC, GED, FSA, CCR, DOK Examples

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Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and share them easily. Never email yourself a file again!

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Video: Using Expertise to Regroup Students

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Video: Using Expertise to Regroup Students

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Teaching Channel

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Using Costa's Question Levels

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How to use Costa's level of thinking for Student Led Discussions

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A student summarizes how to use the game of blackjack as a interactive student led activity using not only Costa's level of thinking but also Bloom's taxonomy

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Costa Question Stems for Content Teachers

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Question Stems using Costa & Bloom's Taxonomy

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ASCD

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Host interactive online meetings | Poll Everywhere

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DI Strategies

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Find and save ideas about Differentiation strategies on Pinterest.

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55 Digital Tools; Apps for Formative Assessment

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55 Digital Tools; Apps for Formative Assessment

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There is no shortage of formative assessment strategies, techniques, and tools available to teachers who use formative instructional practice in their classrooms. Here is an extensive list of 75 digital tools, apps, and platforms that can help you and your students use formative assessment to elicit evidence of learning. We didn't just add any old tool to this list. Here are the criteria we used for those that made the cut:

Supports formative instructional strategies and ways to activate learners to be resources for themselves and peers

Is free or awful close to it (under $10 per year, where possible)

Allows both students and teachers to take the activator role when possible (sometimes teachers need to get things started)

Before you dig into the tools, I encourage you to spend some time thinking about exactly what you want to accomplish with your students. "How to pick the right digital tool: Start with your learning goal" by Erin Beard can help you wrap your head around goals and guide you in choosing the best tool for the task. "27 easy formative assessment strategies for gathering evidence of student learning" can help you decide what strategies work best for you and your students.

Record audio and video

Create quizzes, polls, and surveys

1. Crowdsignal Lets you create online polls, quizzes, and questions. Students can use smartphones, tablets, and computers to provide their answers, and information can be culled for reports.

2. Edulastic Allows you to make standards-aligned assessments and get instant feedback.

3. FreeOnlineSurveys Helps you create surveys, quizzes, forms, and polls.

4. Gimkit Lets you write real-time quizzes. And it was designed by a high school student!

5. Kahoot! A game-based classroom response system that lets you create quizzes using internet content.

6. MicroPoll Helps you create polls, embed them into websites, and analyze responses.

7. Naiku Lets you write quizzes students can answer using their mobile devices.

8. Obsurvey Designed to make surveys, polls, and questionnaires.

9. Poll Everywhere Lets you create a feedback poll or ask questions and see results in real time. Allows students to respond in various ways. With open-ended questions, you can capture data and spin up tag clouds to aggregate responses.

10. Poll Maker Offers unique features, like allowing multiple answers to one question.

11. ProProfs Helps you make quizzes, polls, and surveys.

12. Quia Lets you create games, quizzes, surveys, and more. Access a database of existing quizzes from other educators.

13. Quizalize Helps you create quizzes and homework.

14. Quizizz Guides you through designing quizzes and lets you include students in the quiz-writing process.

15. Quizlet Lets you make flashcards, tests, quizzes, and study games that are mobile friendly.

16. Survey Hero Designed to build questionnaires and surveys.

17. SurveyMonkey Helpful for online polls and surveys.

18. SurveyPlanet Also helpful for online polls and surveys.

19. Triventy Lets you create quizzes students take in real time using individual devices.

20. Yacapaca Helps you write and assign quizzes.

21. Zoho Survey Allows you to make mobile-friendly surveys and see results in real time.

Brainstorm, mind map, and collaborate

Present, engage, and inspire

Generate word or tag clouds

1. EdWordle Generates word clouds from any entered text to help aggregate responses and facilitate discussion. Word clouds are pictures composed of a cloud of smaller words that form a clue to the topic.

2. Tagxedo Allows you to examine student consensus and facilitate dialogues.

3. Wordables Helps you elicit evidence of learning or determine background knowledge about a topic.

4. WordArt Includes a feature that allows the user to make each word an active link to connect to websites, including YouTube.

Get real-time feedback

Foster family communication

1. Remind Lets you text students and stay in touch with families.

2. Seesaw Helps you improve family communication and makes formative assessment easy, while students can use the platform to document their learning.

3. Voxer Lets you send recordings so families can hear how their students are doing, students can chat about their work, and you can provide feedback.

Strengthen teacher-to-student or student-to-student communication

Keep the conversation going with live chats

1. Backchannel Chat A teacher-moderated version of Twitter.

2. Chatzy Supports live, online chats in a private setting.

Create and store documents or assignments

1. Google Forms A Google Drive app that allows you to create documents students can collaborate on in real time using smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

2. Piazza Lets you upload lectures, assignments, and homework; pose and respond to student questions; and poll students about class content. This tool is better suited for older students as it mimics post-secondary class instructional formats.

Learn more

There are several resources for learning more about formative assessment and responsive instruction strategies. Consider our formative practices workshops, where school and district teams can gain a better understanding of the role formative practice plays in instruction and the four foundational practices to use in the classroom. Or for a quick start, download our eBook "Making it work: How formative assessment can supercharge your practice."

Jump in, try new tools and methods, and have fun!

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75 digital tools and apps teachers can use to support formative assessment in the classroom

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There is no shortage of formative assessment strategies, techniques, and tools available to teachers who use formative instructional practice in their classrooms. Here is an extensive list of 75 digital tools, apps, and platforms that can help you and your students use formative assessment to elicit evidence of learning.

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NWEA

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Reading Class How-To

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Empowering the Reader in Every Child | Scholastic

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Discusses methods for flexible grouping when teaching reading and describes the advantages.

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Videos & Readings on DI

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K-5 Math Teaching Resources is a leading New York City based math consultancy firm. Our mission is to transform the teaching and learning of mathematics, improving outcomes for all students in elementary and middle school. Click on a tab below for information on our research-based professional development and customizable consulting services. Our results-driven elementary and middle school consultants are committed to working side-by-side with administrators, coaches and teachers to build exceptional quality math instruction and curriculum for schools and school districts, transforming students' math education and achievement.

On this website you will find mathematics to support standards-aligned math instruction. Use the grade level tabs at the top of this page to download sample resources for each grade level from Kindergarten through 5th Grade or visit our EBook Store to purchase a complete set.

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Research based resources and professional learning opportunities to transform math teaching and learning communities.

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K-8

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Grades 6-8

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K-11

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K-5

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Vertical Alignment & Progressions

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NCESD

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K - HS Math Support

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Inside Mathematics is a professional resource for K-12 teachers, coaches, and administrators.

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Strategies

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DI Strategies

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To help each individual student reach their fullest potential, teachers should try differentiated instruction strategies. These educational techniques accommodate each student's learning style, readiness, and interest. Differentiated instruction strategies use a variety of educational methods to teach students the same information. These techniques may also require teachers to teach content at varying levels based on students' readiness. The goal of differentiated instruction strategies is to ensure that all students are engaged in the learning process by providing tasks that match each individual's needs.

Differentiated Instruction Strategies

Teachers differentiate instruction through a variety of different ways: flexible grouping, learning centers, and independent study, to name a few. Here we will take a look at each of them.

Flexible Grouping

Flexible grouping allows students to work in groups with peers who are both similar and dissimilar to them. Teachers use flexible grouping because it provides students with the opportunity to work with others that have similar learning styles, readiness, or interests, or to learn from others with differences. Depending upon the purpose of the lesson, teachers can plan their activities based on a student's attributes, then use flexible grouping to group students accordingly.

The key to flexible grouping is to make sure that the groups are not static. Teachers must continually conduct assessments throughout the school year and move students among the groups as they master skills. Oftentimes teachers tend to group students according to their ability in the beginning of the school year and then never change the makeup of the groups. This is not an effective technique, and this stagnation will only hinder a child from progressing.

Learning Centers

Learning centers are stations that contain a variety of materials where students can explore topics or practice skills on their own. By their very nature, they are flexible and can address many learners' needs. With a few adjustments, they can be a great way to differentiate instruction. Teachers can design centers with different levels of complexity or for different subject areas.

Learning centers offer teachers the opportunity to present the same information in a variety of different ways that engage all students. Whenever an educator presents information that engages all modalities, it increases the chances that he or she will reach every student in the class.

Independent Study

An independent study is designed for students (usually older ones) that have mastered content. It is best when based on a student's personal interest (say, advanced journalism), and it tends to be more effective when the student chooses the topic. In order for an independent study to be successful, the teacher needs to be sure the student or students are proficient in the skills that are required to complete the study.

To help students choose a topic of study, it is wise to conduct an interest survey before they begin. Then, to ensure a successful study, teachers need to go over the skills students need to complete the task, as well as lay out expectations to help them stay on track.

Tiered Assignments

Tiered assignments are a series of related tasks varying in complexity. The activities relate to the students' readiness levels and key skills that they need to acquire. Both formal and informal assessments must be given to determine the level of understanding a student has on the subject matter.

Activities can be designed for small groups or individuals. Many teachers find that this differentiated instructional strategy is a great way for students to reach the same goals by taking into account each student's individual needs.

Adjusting Questions

An easy way teachers can help students is to adjust discussion questions according to the students' readiness or ability levels. Teachers adjust their questions and level of complexity based on what fits that particular child. Teachers use Bloom's Taxonomy to develop queries from the very basic to the more advanced. This is a great way for teachers to design a more effective curriculum for students at different places on the learning spectrum.

Choice Activities

When students are given a choice of what they want to learn, it can be a great motivator. Teachers can give options based on student interest or learning style. They can also be given choices as to what will be learned or how they will learn the information. Options can include activities, learning centers, independent study, small groups, or others. Choice activities are well-known for improving students' motivation based on their own needs.

Differentiated instruction takes a lot of planning on the teacher's end, but the benefits far outweigh the stress. With continuous assessment and the use of multiple teaching strategies, educators can accommodate all their students' learning styles. In the end, the main goal is to strive to engage all learners by attempting to match their needs.

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To help each individual student reach their fullest potential, teachers should try differentiated instruction strategies. These educational techniques accommodate each student's learning style, readiness, and interest. Differentiated instruction strategies use a variety of educational methods to teach students the same information. These techniques may also require teachers to teach content at varying levels based on students' readiness.

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Differentiation - Middle School

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Accessible Algebra provides teachers a better understanding of where students might struggle, methods that can meet individual student needs, and fresh ways to teach a concept. The 30 modules can be adapted for any algebra class, says math teacher Trever Reeh.

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Math Open Reference Home page. Table of Contents.

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Pre K - HS

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Reading Curriculum Ladders

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Literature:

Informational Text:

Foundational Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition and Use:
Blank Curriculum Ladder Template

Material fromDesCartes: A Continuum of Learning is provided by courtesy of Northwest Evaluation Association and may not be republished, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved.

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Curriculum Ladders - Reading - DesCartes

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Literature: Informational Text: Foundational Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition and Use: Blank Curriculum Ladder Template Material fromDesCartes: A Continuum of Learning is provided by courtesy of Northwest Evaluation Association and may not be republished, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved.

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ELA Curriculum Ladders

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Writing: Plan, Organize, Develop, Revise and Research

Language: Understand, Edit for Grammar, Usage

Understand, Edit Mechanics
Blank Curriculum Ladder Template

Material fromDesCartes: A Continuum of Learning is provided by courtesy of Northwest Evaluation Association and may not be republished, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved.

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Curriculum Ladders - Language - DesCartes

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Writing: Plan, Organize, Develop, Revise and Research Language: Understand, Edit for Grammar, Usage Understand, Edit Mechanics Blank Curriculum Ladder Template Material fromDesCartes: A Continuum of Learning is provided by courtesy of Northwest Evaluation Association and may not be republished, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved.

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(MAP Administration and Reporting Center)

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Just in Time...instant Formative Assessment tool

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Important resources for your Web-Based MAP®  implementation.

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Online Learning for Partners

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Leveled Reading Texts

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It's time to improve literacy skills during social studies instruction and ensure that readers of all abilities have what they need to access grade-level social studies concepts.

Join us on Thursday, December 7 for a look at scaffolded materials that provide extra literacy support while building key social studies concepts and skills.

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Newsela | Content and assessment platform

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Content Aligned To National & State Standard, Flexible To Support Relevant Curriculum. Find the Perfect Piece Of Content For Lessons. Go beyond the book.

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Smithsonian Lexile Leveled Current Events

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As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students. Tween Tribune has been a valued educational brand of Smithsonian magazine, and we appreciate your continued support.

Though the Girl Scouts of the USA initially declared itself a space for all girls, the reality was different for girls of color

Erin Blakemore

Get Smithsonian Educational Resources

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As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students.

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Online Learning Game - Online FA

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Kahoot! | Learning games | Make learning awesome!

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Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that brings engagement and fun to 1+ billion players every year at school, at work, and at home.

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Free Reading passages, sortable by theme, grade level, literary element, and more

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For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.

World-class content

Access thousands of reading lessons and our comprehensive ELA curriculum, CommonLit 360.

Accessible for all learners

Tailor instruction to students' needs with text-to-speech, translation, and digital note-taking.

Actionable data

Track students' reading performance, set goals, and plan instructional next steps.

CommonLit
Digital Library

Discover thousands of free, supplemental lessons and quizzes in English and Spanish - all featuring great authors.

CommonLit
Assessment Series

Measure growth in reading comprehension with three benchmark assessments when you unlock our premium packages.

CommonLit 360 &
Professional Development

Support a successful rollout of our research-backed ELA curriculum with personalized webinars and on-demand trainings.

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CommonLit has made a tremendously positive impact on my teaching practice. I'm very proud to teach CommonLit!

Jennifer Lane ELA Teacher

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CommonLit definitely keeps me organized. It's easy for me to grade and it's easy for me to see students' reading growth increase throughout the year.

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The CommonLit assessment questions are aligned to our ELA standards, which is extremely helpful when prepping for the state exam.

Teachers trust CommonLit to foster students' reading comprehension

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CommonLit | Free Online Reading Passages and Literacy Resources

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CommonLit is a comprehensive literacy program with thousands of reading lessons, full-year ELA curriculum, benchmark assessments, and standards-based data for teachers.

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Book Wizard: Find and Level Books for Your Classroom | Scholastic

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Level your classroom library, create book lists, and find the right book at just the right reading level for students with Book Wizard.

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Math Curriculum Ladders

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Curriculum ladders use learning statements from NWEA's Learning Continuum to help with planning instruction that starts with skills each student is ready for and to identify what students may be ready to learn next. They help identify small groups of students with similar instructional needs and make it easier to see the range of skills as you work to address students' instructional needs and to plan for future learning.

To Use the Ladders:

Print off the ladder and write the names of your students in the boxes on the left side of the ladder, based on each student's RIT score and/or based on classroom performance and teacher observation. The RIT score represents a student's Instructional Level; these are skills the student should be working on right now. The goal is for each student to move up at least one rung on the ladder.

Once you know each student's place on the ladder, you may want to differentiate using flexible grouping, tiered assignments or other methods so that each student is working at their appropriate level. The ladders may also be effective for guiding students in goal-setting and to help aides and parents see the direction a student is heading with a particular skill, to see what comes next.

The Idea Behind the Ladder:
"Standards and Curriculum Differentiation" - Deborah Burns

Material from DesCartes: A Continuum of Learning is provided by courtesy of NWEA and may not be republished, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved."

Material from the Learning Continuum is provided by courtesy of NWEA and may not be republished, rewritten, or redistributed. All rights reserved

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Curriculum ladders use learning statements from NWEA's Learning Continuum to help with planning instruction that starts with skills each student is ready for and to identify what students may be ready to learn next.

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A new five-year retrospective evaluation study found that students who participated in an Early Kindergarten Transition (EKT) program showed higher attendance rates and higher early literacy skills when compared to...

Riverside Unified School District adopts MAP growth assessments for use throughout their 14 traditional middle and high schools, serving nearly 13,000 students.

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A new five-year retrospective evaluation study found that students who participated in an Early Kindergarten Transition (EKT) program showed higher attendance rates and higher early literacy skills when compared to... Riverside Unified School District adopts MAP growth assessments for use throughout their 14 traditional middle and high schools, serving nearly 13,000 students.