Lenses

Lenses

Lenses can change how we look at things. On cameras, they can bring things close into focus or bring things far away into focus. They can change the tint of an image, changing the mood.

There are different lenses, or ways of thinking, that we can use when problem solving and designing instruction. Each lens gives us a different perspective. Below are some different lenses used in this online resource.

Lens 1: Universal Education & Universal Instruction

Universal education is the provision of effective academic and behavioral services by an LEA for all students, removing or reducing performance gaps between various student categories. Language for universal education can be found in the Florida Statute on Inclusion which includes: "the teachers and administrators support universal education and have knowledge and support available to enable them to effectively teach all children."

Universal instruction is the provision of flexible instruction that is designed to be adaptable to meet the learning needs of all students. Four components of universal instruction that are common in Florida are a multi-tiered system of supports, universal design for learning, differentiated instruction, and specially designed instruction.

Activity

Review the Components of Universal Instruction with your table team. Discuss the following:

  1. As you look at the chart, what questions do you have?
  2. How do you think these sections work together?
mtss udl di sdi 2019.pdf

Lens 2: Simple View of Reading

http://bit.ly/2PwRvzj

The Simple View of Reading highlights decoding (word recognition) and language comprehension as the critical components of reading.

Lens 3: Small increases can make a big difference.

Resource: Statistics About Struggling Readers - http://bit.ly/2KjbU7j

Lens 4: Florida Standards

CPALMS - http://www.cpalms.org/Public/

For students to achieve the standards for the grade in which they are enrolled, the reading texts must be appropriately complex and the instruction must be aligned with the grade level standards.

fsig-ela.pdf

The following links are to sets of grade level standards with the access points and essential understandings for each standard. Reviewing the standards with the associated access points and essential understandings can provide additional ideas on designing instruction to meet the needs of all students.

Lens 5: Intensifying Instruction

Taxonomy of Intensity - http://bit.ly/2OHvB6M

taxonomy of intensity handout.pdf