#2ndaryELA Archive
#2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. We chat every Tuesday night at 8 pm EST using #2ndaryELA. We'd love for you to join us!
Tuesday March 29, 2016
Hi! I'm Danielle from https://t.co/bPniF2r57U , and I teach 8/9 ELA in PR. 2 Honors, 1 Reg, 2 SPED, so differentiation is key!
Welcome to tonight’s chat! Please introduce yourself. Tell what & where you teach. Share your blog link if you have one.
Don't forget: use on responses & replies 2 others, label yr responses w/A1, A2, & follow anyone chatting w/us 2night
Hi all! I'm Erin from upstate NY. I teach special ed/ELA/history for grades 9-12
Hi! I'm Amber, Secondary Academic Coach for ELA, from Texas.
I'm Brynn Allison, chat co-host. 7 yrs teaching HS English & reading interventions in Philly. Blog: https://t.co/cyx1WlfdS8
Q1: How do you differentiate reading to meet all learners’ needs?
Hey! I'm Sarah-7th grade Reading-Wichita. KS
A1: I use leveled texts to reach all Ss. Ex: has a great R&J bundle with abridged passages, close reads, and Qs.
A1 Different levels of texts all focused on same skill to meet students' different interests & levels, use of audio
A1: Students get a lot of choice reading and I help them select novels at their level.
A1: Taking a lesson from elem reading and using guided reading groups.
A1: I use resources like Newsela for nonfiction texts in which I can change the reading level
A1: I use a variety of methods - audiobooks, menus, smaller assignments - but I am big into creating patterns to help strugglers
A1: Con't Most of my reading assignment also have choice so students can respond to reading with a task at their level.
A1: Taking a lesson from elem reading and using guided reading groups by reading level and interest.
A1: As a 1:1 iPad school, I can also use functions that read the text aloud to students
A1 I used to use Achieve3000 for different levels of nonfiction texts
I like to use resources that level the same text in three or four different Lexiles.
Lots of scaffolding, think time, conversation/collaboration. I also LOVE !
- Me too - I have been known to do a modified Daily 5... https://t.co/AykmHCkwjz
A1: Taking a lesson from elem reading and using guided reading groups by reading level and interest.
A1 choice is necessary! Workshop model allows for different amounts and types of scaffolding, focus, and reading level.
A1 Now as an RTI specialist I use a program called ReadNaturally with grades 3-6
Would love to know how you modified Daily 5 for your secondary classroom!
Sorry I'm late! Erin here from suburban Chicago. I teach 8th grade ELA and 6-8 reading intervention.
A1: I upload audio versions of most of our texts to Google Classroom to support my struggling readers.
A:1 I like to use resources that level the same text in three or four different Lexiles.
Q2: How do you differentiate writing to meet all learners’ needs?
- 5 stations: Read to self=SRA Reading Lab Word Work=Academic vocab
Computer=games posted on Edmodo https://t.co/4O6qnf0bEa
Would love to know how you modified Daily 5 for your secondary classroom!
A2: Ss write on choice topics, but at their level. Ex: my Honors may embed and analyze 2 quotes per paragraph, with Reg at 1.
A1 I teach a class using but am looking for new program
A2: I always start w/ basics--writing a paragraph--and build from there based on kids' needs
A2 Lots of modeled & collaborative writing, choice of prompts, use of sentence starters for struggling writers
A2: My writing program is scaffolded and uses the writer's workshop model. Lots of practice and choice writing.
What are your fave resources?
A2: Students can choose which pieces to use for evidence for their writing skills, and 1-2 can be choice pieces.
I am curious how you all incorporate choice into your reading and especially writing
This is my first year using GC, and I'm liking it so far. It will be even better when we're 1:1 next year!
LOVE the Crucible.. Starting to love The Scarlett Lettter also!
2 more: Skill practice=activity to practice main idea etc. Writing=writing paragraphs or language review https://t.co/4O6qnf0bEa
Would love to know how you modified Daily 5 for your secondary classroom!
A2: I differentiate writing by using patterns, writing frames, INB foldables, & anchor charts/walls
Anyone else use Compass Learning? I love that it's at the just-right level for each student!
Choice is key.. especially when working with my kids in large, urban schools. Kids get a choice in all aspects=.
So what does this look like exactly in your classroom?
Q3: What role does choice play in differentiation in your classroom?
A2.. I have different graphic organizers for different students to reflect what they need..
Newsela, Read Works, and I purchase some from TPT! I've seen text leveled within Google....but never attempted!
a2 I use sentence/paragraph/essaay frames. Choice. INB, and LOTS of practice
A3: Ss get choose topic or output, w/choice boards that span diff. Mult. Intelligences. Ex. Write a journal entry & draw a comic.
A3: Choice is one of the best and easiest ways to differentiate for our students.
A3 Choice is HUGE factor, choice of texts & novels, choice of after reading questions, activities, writing & projects
I haven't heard of this - what is it?
A3: Choice is provided in stations though menu boards.
A3: I think choice is great, especially in independent reading and within writing topics...
It's similar to Achieve3000 (we have both) but directly correlated to MAP scores. It's from NWEA.
A3: Choice for my Ss in almost every aspect except the standard/objective. Product, resource, etc. Natural fit for PBL model.
A3 cont.: but at the end of the day, students have to master certain skills and that's where I see choice start to be an issue
A3 Choice is the natural motivator. It engages students in learning and makes them ACTIVE readers.
I keep pushing for more choice in my PLC. I'd LOVE to move to a workshop model!
to diff..you have to give choice. I start with allowing my students to listen to audio instead of silent reading..
I control the choice by giving the Ss 3 ways to show what they know about main idea for ex. https://t.co/NY4Ty5P6JM
A3 cont.: but at the end of the day, students have to master certain skills and that's where I see choice start to be an issue
Yes! This! https://t.co/YOUPynoCml
A3 Choice is the natural motivator. It engages students in learning and makes them ACTIVE readers.
when I assign a text lets say Night I always have an alternate text like Left to Tell for students to choose..
Tons of material, can search by topic and put together min-units, pair with fiction texts being used in class
Yes- LOTS of visuals to help organize thinking
when I assign a synthesis essay I always pull 2-3 options.. this makes students feel as if they have a choice..
A3: We do SSR daily so choice is alive & well! I conference w/ students, we have a weekly group share, book talks
Q4: What differentiation tool or strategy do you find the most effective? Why?
A4: I keep Ss on the same text in all levels, so they can discuss at lunch, etc. I change req. but keep the core ideas the same.
Validating audio books as "real" reading helped my Ss enjoy independent reading.
A3. Tech helps with . Ss used to choose article to analyze for persuasion - they all picked diff ones = engaged
A4: Patterns have been the most effective with writing.
A4: Choice boards or menus are my faves. Also love cubing and it's various forms.
A4 Thematic Book Clubs (Literature Circles) are naturally differentiated and allow for choice. Thematic so they are digging deep
I guess I don't see choice of texts/writing topics as true differentiation. The sp. ed. teacher in me is showing
I LOVE having book clubs in my classroom. Students learn without realizing it!
differentiation isn't just about meeting students' different levels, but also their interests
today I was preparing materials for a rising ninth grade camp and I pulled four different synthesis essays they could write..
Only if the choice is helping them level the text - it needs to be modeled and taught. But yes - on it's own it's not
tell me more about cubing, please
Q5: Share any differentiation strategies, resources, or lessons that you love.
A5: (part 3) It was my 1st yr teaching R&J + to SPED. Here's 's lifesaving adapted unit for R&J. My kids love it!
A5 I'm also a big fan of menus based on Bloom's taxonomy. Have created both skill and novel based menus
A4: I offer audio, partner & small groups for diff in reading....sentence frames or stems/graphic organizers for writing
A5: I'm a big fan of natural differentiation - workshop model, literature circles, small grouping, and conferencing.
Graphic organizers is a strong differentiation strategy. You can always provide partially filled in GO https://t.co/qvFIFl3lpN
A4: I offer audio, partner & small groups for diff in reading....sentence frames or stems/graphic organizers for writing
So many great shares! You guys rock!!
I like using articles from for specific Lucile levels. I also use the York times learning network for diff text
Thanks for chatting with us tonight. Next week's chat: Reading Across the Genres. See you on April 5 at 8pm EST
I also have used Cloze w/ word box
I also diff with teachers in helping them make sure their lessons are of interest and can engage them..
Thank you for a great discussion. Excited about my growing PLN!
Always excited to have new faces join our chat!
Thanks everyone! This is my favorite Tuesday night activity! :)
yes! I just helped a teacher use sample on song to teach about feminism in relation to son truth
