Parallel and Tiered Tasks

• Same learning goal

• Different approaches or entry points

• Delivered simultaneously

• Allows for student choice or teacher assignment

• ChatGPT is an excellent tool to generate parallel task ideas

Benefits of Parallel Tasks

• Encourages engagement and inclusion.

• Honors student readiness and interests.

• Promotes critical thinking by offering multiple ways to access content.

• Prevents the stigma of “easy vs hard” by making all options rigorous and purposeful.

Parallel Task Examples

• Math (Middle School): Learning Goal: Understand proportional relationships.

  • Task A (Concrete): Use a ratio table to solve a real-world problem about recipe adjustments.

  • Task B (Abstract): Create an equation representing a proportional relationship and graph it.

• ELA - Learning Goal: Analyze character development.

  • Task A: Use a graphic organizer to trace a character’s actions and motivations.

  • Task B: Write a paragraph comparing how two characters changed over the course of the story.

• Differentiated tasks leveled by length, reading level, or other method

Benefits of Tiered Tasks:

• Meets kids at an appropriate level of challenge

• Fosters a growth mindset by allowing students a chance to succeed

• Less downtime and frustration levels = better behavior

To get started, consider Webb's Depth of Knowledge

• Social Studies and Humanities Matrix

• Math and Science Matrix

Tiered Task Tool

• Magic School DOK Tool

Tiered Task Lesson Idea

• Rule of Seven Idea