#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
We will be using Q1, A1..... Q2, A2 (Question 2/Answer 2) format. Please include the A + question number in your reply and don’t forget the hashtag #5thchat
With the increasing movement towards more #inclusion we are finding more diverse classrooms. What are common strategies you use to differentiate the content in order to meet all needs?
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A1: I have been using @nearpod to differentiate, but this is something I want to get better at. As a student teacher, I am just trying to make it day by day at the moment, but I want to meet students where they are. #5thchat
A1 - Over the years the ways that I've differentiated has changed a lot! Nowadays, most differentiation is in my students' hands. I give them feedback and they do their work to the best of their ability. (Most of what we do doesn't have a specific, single answer.) #5thchat
A1 Technology is a big help with differentiating: Google Speech to Text, having Students record their learning/thinking in Flipgrid or Seesaw, Sketchnoting, Read Write Gold #5thchat
Awesome ideas! I haven't used Read Write since I was in Ethiopia and the gov't cut off some services on the net. Is it still developing and doing it's thing?
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A1: I've found that science experiences often provide built in differentiation. Students engage with content and experiences at a level that is right for them. #5thchat
I've not had inclusion for several years now, however I do have students who struggle! I find that I have to vary the strategies quite a bit in my small groups. I also rely heavily on my students to help each other! Today they ran tutoring groups at lunch! #5thchat
A2 Frequent accommodations and rereading the questions or rephrasing. I closely monitor the responses to make sure they don't practice making errors. Build their confidence #5thchat
A2: We do a lot of writing in my science class, so I provide support for students in that area. Sentence frames, partner support, typing or recording, scribing if needed. #5thchat
Shark Tank DT Update: 5th gr Ss met with Karen Braveheart, owner of Prodigikids, to discuss her experience in acquiring investment capital, market share, ownership equity, & how to be ready to present to potential investors. #delmarhillsk6#hillssurfriders#dtk12chat#5thchat
A2: I work with them doing corrections one on one and spend time re mediating them in small groups. I read written materials to them and try to use manipulative and diagrams to demonstrate concepts. I give them extra practice. #5thchat
A2: I use frequent check-ins, preferential seating, speech-to-text, and reading passages out loud as the most common accommodations in my room. #5thchat
A3 I have many conversations with paraprofessionals and parents. I share all the ways their child learns so that they may be better equipped to help their child #5thchat
A3: We don't have parapros at my school (independent school), but the homeroom Ts, specialists, and support faculty are a team. We meet regularly to discuss Ss and their progress. #5thchat
A3: As a Learning Support Teacher working w/ the whole team is key. My go to right now is to work with parents and tutors to support the gaps and work with the Ts and Ss to support the current content
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A1: I don't differentiate content. I give inclusion students more support. I expect my inclusion students to master the curriculum just like I expect mastery for all of the other students. #5thchat
A2 Frequent accommodations and rereading the questions or rephrasing. I closely monitor the responses to make sure they don't practice making errors. Build their confidence #5thchat
Glad to have @ElemSciTchr joining us tonight! Be sure to check out her amazing books:
- Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy: https://t.co/WOGtDyWSM1
- Notable Notebooks: https://t.co/0VNTXru73b#5thchat
She's the real deal!! :)
Glad to have @ElemSciTchr joining us tonight! Be sure to check out her amazing books:
- Inquiring Scientists, Inquiring Readers: Using Nonfiction to Promote Science Literacy: https://t.co/WOGtDyWSM1
- Notable Notebooks: https://t.co/0VNTXru73b#5thchat
She's the real deal!! :)
Q4: What systems or strategies do you have to help the parents be a contributing part of the team that supports your students w/ special needs? #5thChat
A3: Paraprofessionals work with special needs students to make sure they are focused. They help provide immediate feedback and give one on one support. They also connect with the students and help address social, physical, or emotional needs of the students. #5thchat
A3: I think making a journal of the ways they work best is awesome! The student could describe how they feel if they can’t write and you could write for them #5thchat
I saw Ron Clark (@ronclarkacademy) at the NSTA conference last week and he had the same message. Set the bar high and find ways to get everyone there. #5thchat
A1: I don't differentiate content. I give inclusion students more support. I expect my inclusion students to master the curriculum just like I expect mastery for all of the other students. #5thchat
I wonder if maybe some of the support you give could be called differentation? It can be seen in leveling the content, the process, and the product (i.e. poster instead of PPT).
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A4 We ask for parent input to the IEP, we sit with them if they need help in the hopes they will share their knowledge too. We meet often and the parents are free to ask questions via agenda or phone or in person #5thchat
I mentioned to @Jen1019 that a lot of time the #differentiation doesn't lower the standard or change the standard, it just helps the Ss access it. What do you think?
#5thchat
In reply to
@ElemSciTchr, @ronclarkacademy, @Jen1019
A4: I call/email parents. I use a planner with assignments and for communication. We have a child study process when a student has problems; we make a plan and enact it. I communicate with my special needs students' parents more than the other students' parents. #5thchat
Q5: Given that students have less contact time with their teachers in middle school what supports and strategies that you provide now could still be used in the middle school?
#5thchat
I mentioned to @Jen1019 that a lot of time the #differentiation doesn't lower the standard or change the standard, it just helps the Ss access it. What do you think?
#5thchat
In reply to
@ElemSciTchr, @ronclarkacademy, @Jen1019
A5: I find that a lot of go to accommodations and supports readily move to middle school, but it takes me a long time to get to really know the idiosyncracies of my Ss
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A5 I try to work on organization. Also, self-reliance and most important, self-advocacy. They need to be able to speak up when they need support, when something isn't working for them because MS T's have less time with them to notice. #5thchat
Q5: Given that students have less contact time with their teachers in middle school what supports and strategies that you provide now could still be used in the middle school?
#5thchat
A1
- Small group instruction so you can focus on different skills and/or adjust the rigor for different levels.
- provide choice in the type assignment for Ss
- request to retest for those that didn’t master the content in time for first assessment
-MobyMax & Prodigy
#5thchat
With the increasing movement towards more #inclusion we are finding more diverse classrooms. What are common strategies you use to differentiate the content in order to meet all needs?
#5thChat
I mentioned to @Jen1019 that a lot of time the #differentiation doesn't lower the standard or change the standard, it just helps the Ss access it. What do you think?
#5thchat
In reply to
@ElemSciTchr, @ronclarkacademy, @Jen1019
A5 I try to work on organization. Also, self-reliance and most important, self-advocacy. They need to be able to speak up when they need support, when something isn't working for them because MS T's have less time with them to notice. #5thchat
Q5: Given that students have less contact time with their teachers in middle school what supports and strategies that you provide now could still be used in the middle school?
#5thchat
Definitely! I often do it as a hidden curriculum of sorts. Not being super explicit, but being explicit as I walk through scenarios, have Ss plan their own accommodations, etc.
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A6: When working with support teachers now, I may see that teacher all throughout the day, where as middle school, I may only see that teacher for one class period a day. #5thchat
A6 We have support team meetings about S's in elementary and I'm sure it's the same in middle school but it is probably more difficult with the larger # of teachers working with the student #5thchat
A6: I have not done learning support in the Elem, but it seems that maybe they focus more on literacy often times. Whereas in MS they work with excecutive functioning, study skills, other content, etc.
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A2
We have several software progress monitoring software (MobyMax, ReadingEggs, Prodigy, IStation) depending on the grade/subject.
I have Ts that are great about sharing between different grade-levels (advance/remediate)
We are working on how to better equip Ps
#5thchat
Q7: The transition from 5th grade is big for most Ss but can be even moreso for students with special needs and their families. What things have you done, or seen others do to help make sure that transition is as smooth as possible for these students with special needs #5thChat
A7: Getting to know the student well. Figuring out each child's unique needs and strengths. Developing a relationship with the student and letting them know they are important. #5thchat
I just started doing retests and "Assessment Corrections" the past couple years. It wasn't easy at my #IB school at first, but with all new ideas it can take its time
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A7 Our students don't transition until grade 6 for grade 7 but we meet with the support teachers in the receiving school to help transitions. Our students go visit for a day in June to their new school to reduce anxiety #5thchat
A7: Where I’m at now, we start transitioning in 5th grade. Our multiple intelligence students are incorporated into this so they already have the feel of what middle school will be like. #5thchat
A7: Having spreadsheets to pass along w/ things like student interests, accommodations that are working, strategies, areas of need, random observations, etc. is very helpful
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Q8: Having transition meetings or “Pass up Meetings” are helpful to discuss Ss going from 5th to middle school. What special considerations or documentation do you share with middle school teachers about students with special needs throughout the transition process? #5thChat
I’ve had the privilege to teach both 5th and 6th grade in the same year. We try to get the students to critically think more instead of giving them the answer right away. We still let them know that all appropriate questions are welcome. #5thchat
A8: One thing that I pass on to the middle school for students with special needs is a writing sample. This not only shows their academic ability but also what they are interested in #5thchat
A8: Most of the time, teachers just pass on the bads along with IEP’s. I make it a mission of mine to pass along any techniques or quirks that the student enjoys or has great success with in the classroom. #5thchat
A8: One thing that I pass on to the middle school for students with special needs is a writing sample. This not only shows their academic ability but also what they are interested in #5thchat
Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this evening's #5thchat! Special thanks goes out to @BeckettHaight for doing an outstanding job of moderating!
Our 5th graders have to go and find resources they want to use and complete before they are allowed to retest. 3rd and 4th grade provide the Ss/Ps at least 5 options and have the S complete 3 of the 5.
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It has been great hosting #5thchat today. Great conversations!
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Q8: Having transition meetings or “Pass up Meetings” are helpful to discuss Ss going from 5th to middle school. What special considerations or documentation do you share with middle school teachers about students with special needs throughout the transition process? #5thChat
