November Newsletter

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can schedule a Microsoft Teams call in Canvas?  Be one step ahead of the game, by viewing THESE instructions, that will help you be prepared for any possible remote learning days due to inclement weather.  Winter is just around the corner...are you ready?

Blended Learning Focus: Differentiation

All Aboard the Differentiation Express!  Just as trains have different tracks they can travel with different stops for their passengers, differentiating instruction provides learners with various options and choices of mastering the same objective.  We may all travel different paths or tracks to get there but we master the same objective.  

In the article "What is Differentiated Instruction?" Carol Ann Tomlinson provides the working definition as,  "tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction. "

Here are a few things to consider as you look at building a lesson that promotes differentiation.  

• What is Differentiated Instruction? Examples of How to Differentiate Instruction in the Classroom

• Differentiated Instruction Strategies to Use in the Classroom

• Differentiated Instruction: 5 Elements of Differentiated Learning

• Differentiation in the Classroom: Content, Process, or Product?

• 100 Strategies for Differentiating Instruction by Subject

• Differentiation in PE: Being Responsive to Our Students' Needs

Differentiation-Specific Resources 

(*While these resources are free, they are not district-supported).

• Newsela: Students are able to read the same current events content, but it is differentiated to fit the needs of the specific student. 

• SlidesMania: Offers engaging choice board templates that can be used for PowerPoint or Google Slides. 

• GimKit: A game show for the classroom that requires knowledge, collaboration, and strategy to win.  Students answer questions on their own device at their own pace. Throughout a kit, each student will get exposure to questions multiple times to ensure mastery. 

Professional Learning Opportunities

DLC Credit Opportunities  

Seven self-paced online courses that support teachers and leaders with the skills necessary to be an effective online and blended facilitator. These self-paced courses will count as 1 DLC CEU each. Interested staff may register in Performance Matters-Professional Learning using the course numbers below.   

·     #15861 GCS-PROFLRN: Achieving Equity through Digital Learning (1.0 Digital Learning CEU) 

·     #15857 GCS-PROFLRN: Digital Learning Competencies Overview  (1.0 Digital Learning CEU) 

·     #15860 GCS-PROFLRN: Plan, Teach, and Evaluate  (1.0 Digital Learning CEU) 

·     #15862 GCS-PROFLRN: Leadership in the Digital Age (1.0 Digital Learning CEU) 

·     #15913 GCS-PROFLRN: Blended Learning Models (1.0 Digital Learning CEU) 

·     #15914 GCS-PROFLRN: Leading through a Blended Learning Model (1.0 Digital Learning CEU) 

·     #15916 GCS-PROFLRN: Educational Equity in Blended Learning (1.0 Digital Learning CE 

Fall Professional Learning Opportunities 

Blended Learning has released all Fall Professional Development offerings. Interested staff may now register in Performance Matters. These Blended Learning Professional Development Self-Paced sessions run from October 14th- January 4th.