Central Greene School District: Differentiating for Classrooms of the 21st Century Keystone Educational Consulting GroupMarch 7, 2011www.keystoneeducational.com

“ To provide a comprehensive education for all students to become successful critical thinkers as they enter a global society."

• Dr. Robert Snyder• Dr. Richael Barger-Anderson• Mrs. Meg Van Fossen• Dr. Michelle Miller• Mr. Brian Danielson• Ms. Jessica Nichols• Ms. Laura Kepple• Mrs. Lenna Calairi• Dr. Joseph Merhaut• Dr. Robert Isherwood

• Slippery Rock University www.sru.edu • Keystone Educational Consulting Group

www.keystoneeducational.com

Introductions:

Important Reminders!•We are not the enemy!•We are here to help you.•We respect you!•We appreciate you!•We value you and what you do!•We can work together to make a better

system!•We want you to walk away today with at

least one thing you can use in your classroom tomorrow!

A few quick brainteaser to get things started!

Try another….

Are We Having Fun?

One More….

Why brainteasers?•First 5-7 minutes of class can be a time

when we either get their attention or lose them!

•Brainteasers get them thinking critically as they walk in the door.

•Make them fun not necessarily subject specific!

•Attach a contingency to it.•Can be a great time if you have a co-

teacher to pre-teach a concept or remediate a skill.

•www.thinks.com

Why are we really here?•Provide a comprehensive workshop on

many of the critical aspects of a 21st century classroom including information on:

•Technology•Differentiated Instruction•Multiple Intelligence•Bloom’s Taxonomy•Co-teaching•School law and compliance issues

External Pressure that is forcing us to examine our practices and work to improve

Public School Systems in PA

Inclusion and diversity

Digital Natives

Accountability through

testingSchool choice

movement

Budget and Financial

Crisis

What’s wrong with the way most of us were taught in school?

A typical inclusion class that we observe at the MS level or HS level will have between 30% to 70% of students with IEPs and many others are non-responsive learners.

Do you ever feel like Jerry?

The 21st Century Classroo

m

Co-teaching

Differentiated

Technology

Multiple Intelligence

Rigorous and Relevant

SAS

New service delivery model for the majority of special ed students with high incidence disabilities

A strategy for teaching all learners in one classroom regardless of student profile

Address the learning style of the digital native and prepare them for work

The theory of neuro-diversity supports theories and strategies like multiple intelligence…none of us are neurologically the same

Research supports relevancy as a way to increase student engagement and rigor can be achieved through frameworks for thinking like Bloom’s Taxonomy

A system that considers instruction, assessment, materials, curriculum, and interventions for all children to ensure fidelity of practice

Some brain food for thought!

• Research from Baylor University School of Medicine supports the notion that the experiences students have and the way information is presented will in fact change the neural pathways in the brain…a process known as neuroplasticity.

•Differentiated instruction supports the concept known as neuro-science based education.

Supporting Research:

Brain is “hardwired” and can’t be changed

Critical vs. Sensitive Period (Birth to 2)

We lose brain cells as we age and can’t recoup them

Theory of right and left brain

Dispelling the Myths (Static Brain Theory)

From “Teaching With the Brain in Mind” by Eric Jensen

•Brain friendly classrooms:1. Are multi-modal2. Are student centered3. Are safe, respectful learning

communities4. Meet all learner needs by considering

level of understanding, learning styles, preferences

5. Utilize technology6. Emphasize collaboration and

cooperation

Is your classroom a “brain friendly place”?

If we are going to create brain friendly classrooms and differentiate instruction for our students we need to consider their learning styles and their strengths.

Teacher Differentiates based on

Student Readiness Student Interest Learning Profile

Teacher Differentiates via

Content Process Product

Differentiated Instruction

Respectful Tasks Flexible Groups Ongoing Assessment

How do we differentiate instruction and create opportunities for neuro-science based education?

Consider this classroom configuration…much more brain friendly! The possibilities for differentiation are endless.

Possibilities:

Modality of learningGardner’s MIBloom’s TaxonomyTechnology Grouping practicesCollaborationIntegration of subjectsFormative assessmentProblem solvingStudent centeredTiering

Engagement

Off-task behavior

Multiple Intelligence…part of a differentiated classroom!

Finally, what happens if we stick with business as usual?