Content Choice Menu
Weekly Menu Option for Student Choice in Content Delivery
Content Choice Menu
Grade: 8-12
Big Idea
Directions
Dates- Dates the Menu Covers
Essential Question(s): What are the big questions of the week?
This Week’s Outcomes (goals): What will the students be able to do/know at the end of the week?
The skill sets focused on are accessing information through text, note taking, and applications of knowledge (Graphing/ Data Analysis, Labs, Public Speaking). The students are given the number of items that are required from each section and then choose which ones they will complete. Here are some helpful ideas of how to break your activities into task related columns;
Accessing Information Through Text:
Textbooks, Articles, Online Modules, Online Reading, etc.
-I usually provide multiple text sources for the students to choose from. In this section I wold not recommend having the students having to do more than 2.
Note Taking:
Lecture, Videos, etc.
-I give the students the option of "participating" in my week's discussion/lecture. I will set which date I do this on and if they do not wish to participate in that, the other option available is silently watching multiple video resources that cover the material from the discussion. The incentive to participate in the discussion is I like to hint at possible test/quiz questions and I can help answer any questions that the student might have.
Applications of Knowledge:
Graphing, Data Analysis, Online Simulations, Labs, Lab Write Ups, Presentations, Projects, etc)
-Students do not have the option to participate in Labs for safety reasons. Students are usually required to choose at least 3-4 options in this section. Options should provide activities that cater towards different learning styles/strengths as well as student interests. I encourage students who are looking for extra credit the option of completing everything in this column.
Once the students design their week with required choices, they will fill out how they will spend their class time. Students could be working on different assignments throughout the week. On the bottom of the menu there are 3 quiz scores. I give the students a weekly quiz and they have 3 attempts to complete this. I will take the highest score. I only enter the student's quiz score once they have completed their menu items.
When to Use
Structure your class around this with the expectation being this is done every week.
This Choice Menu really provides students with choice, differentiation, as well as develop academic skills. Give it a try!