Gifted & Talented News - Gr. 6-12
Spring 2017: Depth & Complexity Instructional Strategies
What are Instructional Strategies?
Instructional Strategies are techniques uses by teachers in order to improve or enhance student learning. When instructional strategies are tied to the needs and interests of students, learning is enhanced. Instructional strategies should be directly tied to the curriculum, desired student outcomes, and ongoing classroom assessments. Students learn best when instruction is:
- appropriately challenging
- based on real world problems and situations
- purposeful
- meaningful and interesting
*Remember no one instructional strategy or method will work for all students, teachers or in all subject areas.
For more information about specific instructional strategies, visit http://www.fortheteachers.org/instructional_strategies/.
Getting Started With Depth and Complexity: Differentiation
Pre-assess
https://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/Pre-Assessment
Interest Inventory
Interest lnventories are tools to identify student interests in a variety of areas. They are not necessarily content related, but may look at many different interest areas. Once these interests are identified, learning experiences can be developed to provide opportunities for students to explore a facet of their area of interest
Learning Profile Cards
http://openingpaths.org/blog/2014/01/learning-profile-cards/
Instructional Strategies - Tools For Differentiation, Engagement and Rigor
Various instructional strategies outlined below contribute to overall rigor by challenging advanced learners to extend their understanding of the area of study.
Instructional Strategies
Choice
Math and Non-fiction Choice Sample Choice Menus:
Cubing
See links for guiding questions related to each prompt as well as cubing activities related to math and problem-solving, and more...
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3UkD4E3OiBTcGd4YnQzSGhMMUk/view?usp=sharing
- http://www.educationalimpact.com/resources/guideDI/pdf/guideDI_4_Cubing.pdf
- http://pdst.ie/sites/default/files/Cube%20Creator-3.pdf
- http://www.amaesd.net/media/teacher%20resources/differentiated%20instruction/Differentiated%20Strategies/What%20Is%20Cubing.pdf
Problem-Solving
- Understand
- Plan
- Solve
- Check
Direct modeling and daily practice using the UPSC strategy with students develops independent problem-solving skills. When added to the frame, Depth and Complexity prompts illustrate the potential for students to engage in high order thinking skills.
Follow links for UPSC templates and several other problem solving methods for math....
Depth and Complexity Prompts in Math
Questioning Strategies and Tiering With Depth and Complexity
"Using questions to teach is an age-old practice and has been a cornerstone of education for centuries. Questions are often used to stimulate the recall of prior knowledge, promote comprehension, and build critical-thinking skills. Teachers ask questions to help students uncover what has been learned, to comprehensively explore the subject matter, and to generate discussion and peer-to-peer interaction. Student-initiated questions increase higher-order learning by requiring them to analyze information, connect seemingly disparate concepts, and articulate their thoughts. Indeed, questions are ubiquitous, but are the right kinds of questions – ones that promote learning, not recall – asked at the appropriate time? Poor questions can stifle learning by creating confusion, intimidating students, and limiting creative thinking. Effective questions asked in a psychologically safe learning environment support student learning by probing for understanding, encouraging creativity, stimulating critical thinking, and enhancing confidence." -Am J Pharm Educ. 2013 Sep 12; 77(7): 155.
Rationale:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776909/
Strategies:
http://www.jtayloreducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Voss-High-Level-Differentiated-Questioning-with-Depth-and-Complexity-Icons.pdfDepth and Complexity: Mini-Lessons
http://www.jtayloreducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DC-Intro-Mini-Lessons.pdf
Anchor Activities
“Ragged time” is a reality in a differentiated classroom. It is not your goal to have everyone finish all tasks at the same time. Anchor activities have several benefits in the classroom. Because students complete group work at staggered times, anchor activities allow them to continue their learning independently while other groups continue to work on the original assignment. For students who need more advanced learning opportunities and for students who need to review a concept, the anchor activity can be the vehicle to extend their learning in differentiated ways. Read more...
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3UkD4E3OiBTOEJFVGh1d0dBTzg/view?usp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3UkD4E3OiBTUGVaYzBwbzVLdDQ/view?usp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3UkD4E3OiBTVEF2dkhNWmZGZmc/view?usp=sharing
- https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3UkD4E3OiBTUnVWREhmZjBsTFU/view?usp=sharing
Columbus City Schools Gifted and Talented Department
Website: http://www.ccsoh.us/GiftedandTalented1.aspx
Location: 1990 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH, United States
Phone: (614) 365-6626
Twitter: @CCS_Gifted