5. Differentiation
Is a teacher’s response to learner’s needs
Guided by general principles of differentiation
Respectful tasks Flexible grouping Continual assessment
Teachers Can Differentiate Through:
Content Process Product Environment
According to Students’
Readiness Interest Learning Profile
Through a range of strategies such as:
Multiple intelligences…Jigsaw…4MAT…Graphic Organizers…RAFTS
Compacting…Tiered assignments…Leveled texts…Complex Instruction… Learning
Centers
7. Benefits of Anchor ActivitiesBenefits of Anchor Activities
Differentiation
Explore a concept more deelpy
Enrich their skill development
Management strategy when working with small
groups
Vehicle for more student-centered classroom
8. Steps to Implement AnchorSteps to Implement Anchor
ActivitiesActivities
1. Explain, model and practice
2. Be clear on expectations
3. Develop ground rules
4. Tasks that require time and thinking
5. Clear instructions
6. Develop an anchor activity that uses
multiple skills
9. ANCHOR ACTIVITIESANCHOR ACTIVITIES
Can be:
used in any subject
whole class assignments
small group or individual assignments
tiered to meet the needs of different
readiness levels
Interdisciplinary for use across content
areas or teams
10. Anchors to Help with OrganizationAnchors to Help with Organization
Step 1 Teach students to work independently on the
Anchor Activity
Step 2
Step 3
Half the class works
on an Anchor
activity
Other half works on
a different lesson.
One third of
class works
on an anchor.
One third of
class works on
different lesson
One third of class
works with teacher
direct instruction
12. Practice-Rigor or Rigormortis????Practice-Rigor or Rigormortis????
1. Silent reading
2. Jigsaw Puzzle
3. Journal Writing
4. Math Problem of the Day
5. Read and select two current events, summarize one for group
discussion
6. What’s in the Middle? Students take two photos (one is
beginning and one is the end) Write the story.
7. Utilize a graphic organizer to classify rocks and mineral samples.
8. Compile a picture glossary
9. Problem-based learning example
13. Anchor Activities and RigorAnchor Activities and Rigor
Resources available on the
EIMS PD Wiki
www.eimspd.pbworks.com
Anchor activities are pre-planned activities, tied to your current or past units of study, that teachers have readily available in the classroom for when students finish early, or for when teachers want to work with small groups of students and ensure that the others are occupied doing meaningful, purposeful work.
Anchor activities should not be “busy work,” but meaningful activities that provide extension, enrichment, or practice of key course concepts and skills.
In a differentiated classroom students will complete assignments at different rates.
Students who complete their assigned work at an acceptable proficiency level should not interpret that there is "nothing to do“ now.
Anchor activities are tasks that students know to work on when they complete their assigned work.
Anchor activities can be a stepping stone for teachers to begin working with flexible groups.
If a student is consistently finishing work early, it is possible that the student is finding the work too easy or is not completing work at acceptable levels of proficiency.
It is at that point, the teacher must adjust the level of work or move to enable the student to work to potential at the current level.
Can be used to differentiate activities on the basis of student readiness, interest, or learning profile
Allow students time to work on independent research, to explore a concept more deeply, and to enrich their skill development
Can be used as a management strategy when working with small groups of students
Can be a vehicle for making the classroom more student-centered
Explain each anchor activity, model and practice the procedure with the whole class.
Be clear on expectations—establish clear policy for accountability, evaluation, and value.
Develop ground rules with students.
Only use tasks that require some time and thinking—it’s not worth the time of making the anchor activity to have the student be able to finish it easily and quickly.
Provide clear instructions, materials, responsibilities, and expectations.
Develop an anchor activity that has students using multiple skills and several content outcomes.
School is having a problem with litter, which is attracting insects into the school and locker areas. What could you present to Student Council and school administration as a solution to this problem.
Anchor activities are pre-planned activities, tied to your current or past units of study, that teachers have readily available in the classroom for when students finish early, or for when teachers want to work with small groups of students and ensure that the others are occupied doing meaningful, purposeful work.
Anchor activities should not be “busy work,” but meaningful activities that provide extension, enrichment, or practice of key course concepts and skills.