Modifying Curriculum For Your Multi-Level Classroom

1. Modifying Curriculum For Your Multi-Level Classroom Jennifer boe mesojedec Ell teacher- mcf-ml Jennifer.boe@state.mn.us Harmony wilson Literacy 1 teacher- mcf-ml Harmony.wilson@state.mn.us

2. Modification Ideas Change sentences to include fewer words or follow a pattern original fewer words pattern

3. Modification Ideas continued Use pictures in place of or along with words for sentences or questions

4. Modification Ideas continued Provide worksheet with answers already filled in (for very low level)

5. Modification Ideas continued Change a multiple choice activity to a yes/no activity original

6. Modification Ideas continued Turn an activity into a matching activity original

7. Modification Ideas continued Rewrite a short story so that it is easier or more difficult original easier harder

8. Modification Ideas continued Modify a cloze activity by giving the first letter of each word that is going to be filled in

9. Modification Ideas continued Modifications don’t have to be perfect

10. Modification Ideas continued Modify using the same subjects, words or sentences

11. Modification Ideas continued Give only 2 or 3 choices for a multiple choice question

12. Modification Ideas continued Break down an activity original

13. Modification Ideas continued Another example of breaking it down

14. Additional Ideas If it’s a fill in the blank activity, add a list of words to choose from (word bank) Supplement worksheets with pictures Put sentences or stories on tape Reduce the number of questions per activity Don’t give pages with too many activities- one at a time For an ordering activity, reduce the number of steps Focus on one skill

15. More ideas… • Supplement with other activities to practice the skill • Matching up of sentence strips • Sentences on tape • Matching words- synonyms/antonyms, compound words • Creating sentences with sight words, then copy sentences • Word webs connecting ideas • Categorizing vocabulary • Add a crossword puzzle or word find

16. Low-Level Study Strategies Cross out words from word bank as you use them If you don’t know the answer right away, skip it and come back to it later Read the directions! (out loud if needed) Ask questions for help or clarification Eliminate answers you know are incorrect for multiple choice questions Refer back to the story/picture for clues

17. Small Group or Individual Work Examples Group by level Mixed level groups (just make sure one isn’t doing all the work) Allow the use of technology, if available, for research or typing answers rather than writing them Relate lesson to real-life examples Focus on students’ individual strengths Teach them what they can do while the teacher is working with other students/groups ahead of time

18. Colleagues as Resources • Don’t hesitate to ask your coworkers for ideas and resources • Utilize special education teachers for ideas- often ideas written in IEPs are accommodations than can be used for any student • Allowing extra time • Working 1:1 with a student • Allow for a quiet environment, if available

19. Website Resources http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/ http://www.worksheetworks.com/ http://isu.indstate.edu/writing/handouts/handouts.html http://eslactivities.com/ http://www.esl-kids.com/worksheets/worksheets.html http://www.eslflashcards.com/preview.php?id=2

20. Modifying Curriculum For Your Multi-Level Classroom Jennifer boe mesojedec Ell teacher- mcf-ml Jennifer.boe@state.mn.us Harmony wilson Literacy 1 teacher- mcf-ml Harmony.wilson@state.mn.us Thank you!