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Personalized Reading #TCEA17

1. Newsela

Newsela is site that provides current event articles that are provided with different lexile reading levels. Spanish is also an option for some articles.

Newsela has a free sign-up for teachers.

The teacher can assign articles to students with a class code or print off articles at different lexiles.

There are historical speeches and primary sources available here.

There is also a paid version.

Newsela's YouTube channel has many resources for learning about the functions of the site.

3. Rewordify

Rewordify is a site that simplifies difficult text. Students can copy and paste difficult texts into a box that will simplify it. This can help ELL students access complex content tasks at their comprehension level. If students have access to online textbooks, this can be helpful for higher-leveled texts. It also works with archaic language (think Shakespeare or the Gettysburg Address) and incorporates vocabulary into the "translation".
When you go to the site, scroll down...way down until you see the "Get started now!" pictured below. These resources will get you going in minutes.
5. ReadTheory

ReadTheory is a site that provides an adaptive reading experience based on diagnostics in the program. Teachers do not have to create anything. The lexiled diagnostics are provided and reports are easy to run after students work for 30 minutes in ReadTheory. Teachers do have to create student accounts within the site first, which can take some time depending on your class sizes.

7. Wonderopolis

Wonderopolis is a place of wonder. Each informative text is a response to a wonder (a question.)

The articles are searchable and they are written for upper elementary and can be useful for content reading for language learners.

They have an audio function, so that the reader can read along with an audio version.

8. DePaul University Resources

10. Breaking News English

Breaking News Englishis not a flashy site by any stretch of the imagination, but it provides articles that are available on different reading levels. Each passage has lessons tied to it with grammar activities using the text of the article.

11. NewsInLevels

NewsInLevels is another site that provides world news articles at three different reading levels.

This site is designed for learners of English and has SKYPE connection options for kids to practice oral language.

ESL students in the upper grades can use the 3 different levels and the exercises to track their language acquisition progress.

The site provides short text piece paired with video for important listening skills.

12. SAS Curriculum Pathways

Kelly Gallagher's Article of the Week

Google Add-ons That Provide Supports for Differentiation

Tosh McGaughy

say it (Mc-GOY)

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Personalized Reading #TCEA17 Newsela is site that provides current event articles that are provided with different lexile reading levels. Spanish is also an option for some articles. Newsela has a free sign-up for teachers. The teacher can assign articles to students with a class code or print off articles at different lexiles.

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What's your beef with La La Land? Please explain.

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Helpful info for teachers on teaching vocabulary (esp. Tier 2)

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(Johnett's OLD PPT)

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Special education classes provide a unique service to physically or mentally challenged students. The ideal special education classroom provides quality instruction to students with disabilities. While the push in education these days seems to be toward online education and the inclusion of special education students within mainstream classrooms, special education classes are still needed for more severely disabled students. The purpose of the special ed classroom setting is to provide more intensive, individualized attention to the students who most need it.

However, even in special education classroom settings there can be a wide a range of skill levels and abilities. How can teachers provide quality instruction to all students? Here are some strategies that special education teachers can use to benefit all of their students:

1. Form small groups

Forming small groups of two or three students within the class grouped according to their level can help with personalizing the teaching while not sacrificing class instruction time. For example, in math class, one group could be working on the basics while a more advanced group could be working on their geometry skills. Students would be grouped together according to similar skill levels and objectives along their education pathway.

2. Create classroom centers

Classroom centers are another effective way students can be grouped. Each center would specialize in one area or level. The centers would be self-contained in terms of instructions and all lesson materials. They would also be somewhat self-explanatory and self-guided to allow the teacher to rotate among the different centers and provide appropriate guidance. A teaching assistant, parent or volunteer could help facilitate the groups. Such centers would strike a balance between being self-explanatory, without totally giving up more direct teacher time.

3. Blend 'the Basics' with more specialized instruction

Still another way of instructing multiple levels of students is to teach general concepts to the whole group while pairing it with individual instruction. Since every school subject has some general concepts that could be relevant, individual students can benefit from this no matter what their level of proficiency.

Reading comprehension strategies, the basics of math, organizing writing ideas, or even a scientific theory are some examples of general concepts that could be taught to support what each student is learning in that area. Students can then apply this knowledge to their particular individual assignments. However, the teacher could always add some additional content for more advanced students.

4. Rotate lessons

Lessons within the different groups or centers could be rotated so that on any given day the teacher could introduce new material to one group, while only having to check in on others who are doing more independent activities. The teacher assistant could also be of service within such a lesson cycle.

5. Try thematic instruction

Thematic instruction is where a single theme is tied into multiple subject areas. This method of teaching has been shown to be very effective in special education classrooms. A "theme" could be anything from a current event, honing the skill of reading comprehension, a writing topic or a historical event. For example, a historical event could be tied into all other subjects. The theme should be attention-getting - something that will grab the students' interest and keep them engaged.

6. Provide different levels of books and materials

Since there will be a variety of proficiency levels in the classroom, be sure to have different levels of textbooks and other teaching materials available for each subject. Having a range of levels on hand will ensure that each student can learn at the appropriate level. This minimizes frustration and maximizes confidence and forward momentum in the student.

As you can see, teaching special education students effectively can be enhanced with some adjustments. Regardless of the severity of their disabilities, classes can be structured in a way that caters to the individual level of functioning.

Doing so does not mean giving up quality personal instruction time. No matter what the content areas or variety of levels your students are working on, harmony and integration are possible. Strategies such as grouping, learning centers, rotating lessons, choosing class themes and having a flexible array of texts and materials can help teachers to provide ideal instruction and support within their special education classes.

Tags: Special Education

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6 Strategies for Teaching Special Education Classes

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Special education classes provide a unique service to physically or mentally challenged students. The ideal special education classroom provides quality instruction to students with disabilities. While the push in education these days seems to be toward online education and the inclusion of special education students within mainstream classrooms, special education classes are still needed for more severely disabled students.

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http://learningabledkids.com/multi_sensory_training/page24-kinesthetic2.htm

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Is your child a dynamic, on-the-go, active learner? Do you need to know how to teach children with kinesthetic learning styles?

Using kinesthetic teaching activities for kids with kinesthetic learning styles will keep your child interested in learning. It will also make learning easier and more fun!

Finding good kinesthetic activities for teaching children can be a bit difficult. However, there are many ways to teach a child with a kinesthetic learning style.

The chart below should give you 24 great teaching activity ideas for teaching kids with kinesthetic learning styles. This list of activities is worth bookmarking. It will help you keep your teaching varied. Variety makes learning fun and interesting for your child(ren).

If you are building a multi-sensory learning plan for your child, add one of these activities to your auditory and visual activities. Together, they will engage all of your child's senses in learning. When you've chosen your kinesthetic learning styles activities, then move on to the next step. There, you'll choose tactile learning activities for your child.

Whenever you are teaching a new topic, use one or more of the kinesthetic activities listed below. You can also come up with your own kinesthetic learning styles ideas. Be sure to write down all of the ideas you have. That will make coming up with ideas easier for you whenever you start a new lesson.

Kinesthetic Learning Styles based Activities:

Note: Many of these Kinesthetic learning styles activities also work well for children who have a Tactile learning style. These kinesthetic learning styles activities are also great for kids identified as having bodily kinesthetic intelligence.

Kinesthetic Learning Styles based Lesson Planning:

Create a multisensory lesson by selecting a Kinesthetic learning activity to use in teaching your child. Add the selected activity to your prior auditory and visual learning activities.

If you need to find out more about teaching kids with kinesthetic learning styles, check out the kinesthetic learners page to learn more about this dynamic learning style.

Otherwise, click forward in this tutorial to learn more about multisensory teaching. After you choose the tactile learning activity, you will have written a complete multisensory lesson plan for teaching your child.

If your child is in public school, you might find the suggestions for persons with kinesthetic learning styles at Utah Valley University helpful to put into your child's IEP. Doing so will insure your child's teachers know how to better serve him in a regular classroom.

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Kinesthetic Learning Styles : 24 Activities for Teaching

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Is your child a dynamic, on-the-go, active learner? Do you need to know how to teach children with kinesthetic learning styles? Finding good kinesthetic activities for teaching children can be a bit difficult. However, there are many ways to teach a child with a kinesthetic learning style.

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Multisensory instruction is a way of teaching that engages more than one sense at a time. Find out how multisensory learning can help all kids.

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(Some old slides...)

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Lots of help

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The million-dollar question that I am constantly being asked is, "How do you meet grade level standards when your students are functioning so many grade levels below?" One of the many challenges of being a special education teacher (out of the thousands)...

Read Alouds have a valuable place in our reading instruction. If you are thinking it's old-school, too hard for your kids, or unnecessary, let me change your mind. Read Alouds are so imperative in our classrooms because students get the chance to hear the appropriate...

Recently I created some Feature and Function Level 2 task cards which I have been using with my students. If you want more information about those task cards you can check out my blog from a few weeks again - Feature and Function Level 2 Task Cards. ...

April is Autism Acceptance Month

Build school-wide awareness and understanding

Sasha travels international providing professional development to teachers, parents, and administrators. Learn real-world strategies that you can use in your classroom tomorrow! From literacy to data to behavior, each event can be customized to meet the needs of the group.

Work one-on-one with Sasha to create an efficient and effective classroom environment. We provide consultative services in-person or online at both the individual or school level. Learn how to implement a range of ideas and strategies to your specific group of students.

Our curriculum and educational resources are designed specifically for learners with autism. Provide your students the opportunity to learn and grow with resources that are structured, visually based, and data driven. Our differentiated materials include options for preschool through high school.

Visit The Autism Helper's Facebook page!

The million-dollar question that I am constantly being asked is, "How do you meet grade level standards when your students are functioning so many grade levels below?" One of the many challenges of being a special education teacher (out of the thousands)...

Read Alouds have a valuable place in our reading instruction. If you are thinking it's old-school, too hard for your kids, or unnecessary, let me change your mind. Read Alouds are so imperative in our classrooms because students get the chance to hear the appropriate...

Recently I created some Feature and Function Level 2 task cards which I have been using with my students. If you want more information about those task cards you can check out my blog from a few weeks again - Feature and Function Level 2 Task Cards. ...

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The million-dollar question that I am constantly being asked is, "How do you meet grade level standards when your students are functioning so many grade levels below?" One of the many challenges of being a special education teacher (out of the thousands)... Read Alouds have a valuable place in our reading instruction.

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I am struggling to figure out how to develop levels of social interaction for my students. It is clear they need social skills development, but not as clear what the spectrum is so that we can "coach them up". Any suggestions/supports related to this, and how we can even attach social skills to vocabulary development would be great.

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What I am struggling with is big age difference in class and meeting the needs of Kinder to 5th grade. I feel like it is really 2 to 3 different lessons. What are some better strategies for differentiation then just having different things I am looking for and different supports?

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I'm having difficulty including all students in my Human Dev class. I present a topic for discussion and take student questions, comments, and concerns and discuss those within the topic. I do have a flipchart presentation  which includes pictures and/or videos for examples but it pretty much involves a lot of discussion and role play. There are 12 students in the class and one student is lost.

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find materials already developed in BM

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make individual work for a variety of skills (great for Math)

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Math and language games

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http://www.pbisworld.com/

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http://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/social-stories/

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http://tarheelreader.org/

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From frustration...

...to understanding

The ravenous throng scampered toward the delectable viands, which the chef had impeccably arrayed on the table.

The extremely hungry crowd ran toward the delicious food, which the chef had extremely well organized (into rows) on the table.

Rewordify.com simplifies difficult English. Enter hard sentences (or whole chapters) into the yellow box at the top of the page. (You can also enter a web site URL.) Click Rewordify text and you'll instantly see an easier version, for fast understanding. The reworded words are highlighted- click them to hear and learn the original harder word. You can change how the highlighting works to match the way you learn!

Do you dislike dictionaries because they're confusing and unhelpful? You'll love Rewordify.com's clear, easy-to-understand definitions-they change to match the original word or phrase's part of speech, verb tense, and singular/plural form, so they make sense. Our amazing Rewordifying Engine is what makes it all possible, and no other web site has it.

Want to see something now? Click Classic Literature at the top and start reading-easier.

Learn more words faster. Our exclusive Learning Sessions actively teach you words so you learn them. Any time you paste in a block of text, our software finds all the hard words, lets you pick which ones you want to learn, and then teaches them to you in a Learning Session.

A Learning Session isn't an online quiz: it's an effective, step by step process where you hear words and phrases, type them, and read them. The software re-teaches you exactly what you need when you need it, and moves ahead when you're ready. When you've learned a word, the site stops "rewording" it, so the site grows with you as you learn! Learn more about Learning Sessions.

Learn the way you want-from what you want to read. You can change the way the site works to fit your learning style as you read and learn from almost any text passage or web page. See the different highlighting styles in the box? You can pick any of them, and lots more options. Click the Settings link (at the bottom of the page now, or at the top of any page) to see all the choices you have. (The demo text in the box here never changes.)

Chart your progress and have fun. You can keep track of your learning with lots of detailed charts that show how you're doing. Plus, as you use the site, you earn points and get Learning Stars -a fun reward for reading and learning!

Now you can easily get your students involved in their learning: let them select the text that interests them. Let them print and complete the activities with which they're most comfortable. Imagine each student learning vocabulary customized to his or her interests, while you have time to teach instead of typing. Could differentiation by interest or readiness be any easier? You can start doing it today, for free.

You never have to type another vocabulary list or quiz again.

Type (or copy-paste) in any block of text in the yellow box at the top of this page, click Rewordify text, and click the Print/Learning activities button. Here's how. You (or your students!) can select from a rich variety of quizzes and learning activities, with or without answer keys.

Do you need to teach (or not teach) particular vocabulary words and phrases? Rewordify.com gives you the exact control you need for specialized vocabulary instruction. You can make customized word lists so the site rewords and teaches any word or phrase exactly the way you want.

Learn the way you want-from what you want to read. You can change the way the site works to fit your learning style as you read and learn from almost any text passage or web page. See the different highlighting styles in the box? You can pick any of them, and lots more options. Click the Settings link (at the bottom of the page now, or at the top of any page) to see all the choices you have. (The demo text in the box here never changes.)

Chart your progress and have fun. You can keep track of your learning with lots of detailed charts that show how you're doing. Plus, as you use the site, you earn points and get Learning Stars -a fun reward for reading and learning!

Now you can easily get your students involved in their learning: let them select the text that interests them. Let them print and complete the activities with which they're most comfortable. Imagine each student learning vocabulary customized to his or her interests, while you have time to teach instead of typing. Could differentiation by interest or readiness be any easier? You can start doing it today, for free.

Save all your documents online so anyone can read them and learn from them at any time.

Just log in, rewordify something, and click the Share button.

Select how public or private you want the document, enter the title, author, etc., and you're done!

You get a link that you can put in your online lesson plans, teacher web pages, or blog. No more rewordifying the same thing over and over again!

You can view, manage and edit all your documents from any computer. Just log in (or create a free, safe account) and start building your learning library. Here's how to do it.

At Educator Central, you can create and manage student accounts, monitor your students' learning, and get detailed reading and learning analytics that help you make smart classroom decisions. For free. Now.
(In a hurry? Log in. Click Educator Central at the top.)

In a few minutes, you can create student accounts on Rewordify.com, and easily monitor your students' reading and learning progress. Get actionable learning and error analytics as your students read and learn from any document you post, or from any document or web page they want to read.

Imagine each student learning different words based on his or her interest or ability level. It's easy to do: Rewordify.com designs and teaches individualized vocabulary lessons with our highly effective Learning Sessions, so you have the time to teach students the important stuff: how to learn, how to break through obstacles, how to believe the words "I can do it."

As your students read and learn, get detailed charts and reports that tell you what you need to know-by student, by class, or for all your classes.

Effectively match interventions with students, based on detailed error breakdowns that let you see what you need to see in a few clicks.

Student accounts are anonymous, and they keep your students safe and focused on learning.

Start using it now: Log in and click on Educator Central at the top. Read more about Educator Central.

Rewordify.com is free online software. You're using it now. There's nothing to buy or install. It works on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. Just point your browser to Rewordify.com and start reading and learning. Yes, it's tablet-friendly-no mouse needed. Yes, your whole school district can create teacher and student accounts, without entering any personal information. When? Now.

It's fast. Wasting your (and your students' time) is bad. That's why Rewordify.com was designed from the ground up to be lightning-fast and use very little data. The site doesn't have a hundred images of puppies and kittens and a hundred links to a hundred lists. What it does have is speed and ease of use, which are very nice when you have to teach a room full of teenagers. Or adults.

It's an app. Want the app? You're using it. Wasn't that easy? The site is a web app, which is great for you, because you get almost-daily site updates automatically -so you can read and learn, not download and install app updates.

We keep kids safe online. Rewordify.com requires no personal information. Student accounts are completely anonymous and cannot post or share anything. Read more about how we protect children's privacy.

Rewordify.com can display simplified versions of web pages. Our state-of-the-art web filtering technology blocks millions of inappropriate sites and questionable language, to protect kids online and keep them reading only what they should be reading. Read more about how we protect children from inappropriate material.

Difficult English is intelligently simplified with our exclusive Rewordifying Engine

Saves time when reading hard text, improves comprehension and self-confidence, and increases total reading time

Copy-paste entire text passages into the yellow box and press Rewordify text. You'll see a simplified version. Read more.

Definitions are easy to understand, context-aware, and match verb tense and part of speech

Reduces frustration and improves comprehension by maximizing time spent reading versus dictionary research

Copy-paste any text passage into the yellow box and "rewordify" it. Click the highlighted words. Read more.

Learning Sessions actively teach individualized vocabulary lessons with research-proven multimodal techniques

Improves vocabulary and word retention

After you "rewordify" text, you'll see a purple bar at the top. Click the buttons to pick hard words and learn them in an effective Learning Session. Read more.

Site carefully monitors student reading time, learning progress, and learning errors, and gives educators full-color, real-time charts and reports

Gives actionable learning data that helps improve student learning outcomes

Create an account. Click on Educator Central. Create free student accounts. Post assignments online. Get learning data. Make smart classroom decisions based on valid data. Read more.

Site identifies and extracts over 58,000 difficult words and phrases from any text and creates a rich variety of learning activities with answer keys

Saves time when teaching and gives students individualized learning activities

Copy-paste any text passage into the yellow box and "rewordify" it. Click Print/Learning Activities. Pick the quizzes, activities, vocab lists, cloze activities you want, with keys. Print them. Read more.

Software allows users to change the difficulty level and presentation style of the output text

Improves engagement by allowing easy differentiation by learning style and readiness

Copy-paste any text passage and "rewordify" it. Click Settings. Change the text presentation style, "rewordifying level" (difficulty level), even the highlighting style. Read more.

Site works as an app on any device, using a minimum of data

Allows for easy district rollout on nearly any existing device while conserving Internet bandwith

Point any device's browser to Rewordify.com and it works like an app. Here's how to make an app icon on your home screen or desktop.

Site calculates accurate text complexity measures, including our exclusive READ score

Improves engagement and learning through the selection of appropriate reading materials

Rewordify any text passage. Click the Stats button. Read more.

Site's browser app (bookmarklet) extracts most web pages to Rewordify.com for learning in one click

Improves engagement and total reading time through independent selection of high-interest materials

Install our free browser app. Browse the web. At any page, click the "Rewordify text" button. Read the extracted text on Rewordify.com.

You can post any document and share it publicly, privately, or with a password

Increases reading time and organization of learning materials

Log in. Paste in a document and "rewordify" it. Click the Share button, share it, and get a link. Post the link to your teacher page. Or, add it as a Rewordify.com assignment. Here's how to post documents. Here's how to create assignments.

Site calculates points and displays Learning Stars based on total minutes read and words learned

Increases reading time and engagement by making the site more fun

Log in and start reading and clicking on the purple bar to do Learning Sessions. Points and Learning Stars will display. Click My Learning/My Documents to see charts of your progress. Read more.

Over 300 pieces of classic literature are available

Improves comprehension of the classics-from Shakespeare to Douglass to Austen

Click Classic literature at the top. Or, type a word like Frankenstein into the search box at the top.

Here's what to do next:

First, do the demo. You'll be an expert in five minutes: Click here for the demo.

Learn the site, step by step. Our First-Time User Guide clearly shows you how to get started.

Teachers: Learn about Educator Central and all it can do to help improve student learning outcomes. Also, you can print lots of free, full-color literature to help you get started in the classroom.

Have some fun. Are you up for a vocabulary challenge? Play Rewordo. Be aware: it's not easy.

Browse some classics. Want to be more sure of Shakespeare, or brush up on Bronte? Scroll to the top, and click the Classic Literature link. It's a fast way to get started using the site. Or, use the Search bar at the top. Try entering the word raven to understand the deal with Poe, that black bird, and the "Nevermore" thing.

Check out the goodies. You can install our One-Click Learning browser applet that lets you rewordify most web pages in one click. Our cool (and free, of course) School Clock tells you the current time and date, what class period you're currently in, countdowns to the next period, and more. You can customize it for any school's schedule, and make as many different School Clocks as you have different day schedules. Use it now.

Show the love! Please tell us about mistakes the site makes when "rewording" and defining words. That feedback is the single most valuable thing you can do to help the site (and learners around the world). Click here to contact us. Do you want to help defray the site's operating costs, and read a great thriller at the same time? You can! Get your copy of Electric Dawn.

Contact us. We want to help you! Please use the Contact page with any questions or comments.

Site summary: Rewordify.com helps with reading comprehension and vocabulary development by simplifying English to a lower reading level. It lets you reword a sentence or reword a paragraph. It will simplify English by reducing text complexity. It's a dictionary alternative that will improve comprehension and teach vocabulary. It's an important part of reading instruction and vocabulary instruction for ESL students, people with reading disabilities, people with a learning disability, or anyone who wants to improve reading skill.

35650 / 9.0

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Rewordify.com | Understand what you read

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Rewordify.com helps you read more, understand better, learn new words, and teach more effectively.

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(A PPT)

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If you type a common word like BEHAVIOR, LITERACY, or OTHER, you can search the Padlet by those "tags" later.

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What questions, concerns, or RESOURCES do you have for differentiation with regards to BEHAVIOR?

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What questions, concerns, or RESOURCES do you have for differentiation with regards to LITERACY?

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What questions, concerns, or RESOURCES do you have for differentiation with regards to OTHER topics?