Design a Differentiated Lesson Plan

The main strategy I used are the random partner tickets. This is I pass out the tickets to every kid randomly. Then they have to quietly find their partner and pick a place to sit in under one minute. An example of what might be on the ticket it one might have a slice of bread with jelly on it. This person needs to then find the partner that has a slice of bread with peanut butter on it because they go together and are therefore partners. My students have been using these since the beginning of the year and know the rules. Some students do not enjoy being partnered up randomly, so there is always the discussion that sometimes we work with people we may not want to work with, however we treat them with respect and kindness. Other students love these because it is a fun way to find your partner and it is always random so they may work with someone they do not always work with. Thinking about readiness with my class refers to, "a student's entry point relative to a particular concept or skill a a given time," (Helping all learners: Readiness). Some students have already asked if they can put a friends opinion in their article already. This tells me that they are ready for this next step in making their opinion pieces better. 

Looking at the assessments for this lesson, it is not until February 28th, therefore they have until then to have quotes in their opinion writing piece. Today, was the lesson however the grade is not until next week. I do walk around and observe so that is a form of assessment and I try to have everyone with a quote in their writing by the end of the lesson however that may not happen. If the student gets the quote in their writing tomorrow, that is perfectly fine because I really need it in their writing in 6 days. ELL students in my classroom are some of my highest writing students, therefore the expectation is the same for them. They may need more help with spelling or grammar however I am always able to help with that. SPED students are with me for the minilesson and then head over to their SPED class to do the work. When looking at early finishers in the classroom, mine are usually independent work. "When students shift from a whole-group lesson where they are learning a new skill to an independent activity that prompts a different type of thinking. This helps promore their critical thinking skills," (Tobin, 2023). 

Students do not use their technology during writing unless we are publishing out final drafts and they are typing on Google Docs or looking up some information to help strengthen their writing piece. I use Google Slides everyday for the lessons. As a teacher and as a student, PowerPoints and Google Slides can be very helpful and has "easy access to guidelines and instructions," (Winstead & WinsteadHi, 2022).  It has the questions I want to ask them, directions, and a time built in for their 30-45 minute independent writing time. 

Reference

Helping all learners: Readiness. Helping All Learners: Readiness | EL Education. (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://eleducation.org/resources/helping-all-learners-readiness

Tobin, J. (2023, February 10). 5 reasons why you should offer early finisher activities. Elementary Nest. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://elementarynest.com/5-reasons-for-early-finisher-activities-in-your-classroom/#:~:text=Early%20finisher%20activities%20allow%20students,a%20different%20type%20of%20thinking.

Winstead, S., & WinsteadHi, S. (2022, February 18). 7 major benefits of using PowerPoint for E-learning. My eLearning World. Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://myelearningworld.com/powerpoint-for-e-learning-7-benefits-you-may-have-never-considered/