Some Exciting Examples

Some exciting examples of differentiation at Shepardson:

In the early years, standards-based learning centers provide a variety of activities to address different learning styles and needs. Parent volunteers enable children to work in small groups to explore, create and learn.

In mathematics, older students are grouped for instruction for each unit. They are given opportunities to test out of previously mastered material, and a more advance and accelerated curriculum is provided. To help students develop higher-level thinking skills, real world applications are incorporated in their daily work.

Differentiated learning experiences occur for students in a thematic unit on Africa. Students are immersed in the continent’s culture, experiencing the food, recreation, people, social structure and government. Flexible groups and tiered assignments are incorporated for students to explore the same content but at different levels of complexity.

In an integrated unit based on the Full Option Science System (FOSS) Air and Weather kit, students use the scientific method to investigate and make predications by charting, graphing, and recording information. Reading and writing activities at each child’s level are tied to the theme. Opportunities for extended research are presented.