Rank & Reason Tip #5 – An Insightful Discussion is a Rehearsal for Deep Learning

Screen Shot 2019-08-16 at 10.38.51 AMWhat are the best ways to use the compare feature of Rank & Reason?

  • Compare generates higher-level discussion
  • Compare can focus the discussion
  • Compare teaches respect for the perspective or point of view of peers

An Insightful Discussion is a Rehearsal for Deep Learning

We’ve all experienced a discussion that simply goes flat. The students are quiet or staring or looking around and no matter how we reframe the question or prompt, the Classroom World is not chugging to the World of Insight. We wonder whether the problem is the question, if the students need more background, or if it’s just the planets are not aligned today.

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Projects & Activities Tip #5 – Become a “make a copy” superhero!

Screen Shot 2019-08-15 at 3.42.46 PMHow can I best utilize the “make a copy” feature in Projects & Activities?

  • Differentiate assigned lesson content.
  • Expand group project/activity possibilities.
  • Set up Literature Circles with ease.
  • Class projects and activities, jigsaw style.
  • And so much more!

Become a “make a copy” superhero to your students!

NextLesson’s interactive platform allows teachers the flexibility to completely customize our lesson content to fit their exact needs. In addition to being able to edit text, insert your own images, questions and resources, delete content, etc, you are also able to make copies of lessons. I know, you’re thinking, “so what, big deal” right? However, this make a copy feature opens up endless lesson possibilities for teachers.

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Class Manager Tip #5 – Finding Lessons Based on Your Students’ Interests

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How can I easily find lessons based on my students’ interests?

  • Relevant lesson content increases student engagement.
  • Students have a voice in their learning.
  • Lesson planning is a breeze, and your students will enjoy your lesson picks!

 

Lesson Recommendations in InterestID

So, you’ve already had your students use the InterestID Browser and express their interest in various topics. Now what? 

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Skill Builders Tip #5 – How can these lessons be used for differentiation?

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How can skill builders be used for differentiation? 

  • Above grade level skill introduction
  • At grade level skill practice
  • Below grade level skill review

Using Skill Builders for Differentiated Skill Practice

We believe students should enjoy skill review/practice no matter how far behind or ahead they might be. What level the student is working at is between the students and the teacher. For this reason, we never print grade levels on the student version of Skill Builders. A 6th grader, for example, can be reviewing skills at a 4th-grade level and never feel bad about this. The topics are still engaging and the grade level is never displayed. The same goes for students practicing skills well above their current grade level.

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Performance Tasks Tip #5 – How can I edit – and differentiate – this Performance Task for my own class?

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What can I best edit – and differentiate – in a Performance Task?

  • Can I add content or directions?
  • Can I delete any of the content?
  • Can I change either content or directions?

Quick Editing of Performance Tasks is Easy!

Differentiation of a Performance Task is first accomplished by using the levels within a Performance Task, but there are times when we want to edit content.  Heck, we know we did it all the time to meet the needs of our students and we wanted to give all teachers the same options.

For easy reading and reference, we’re going to give you the steps for adding, changing, and deleting content separately in this post, as well a quick reason or scenario when you may want to use editing.

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