Behold, the "Q" Matrix!

As I said in my blog post yesterday, I attended a workshop on differentiate instruction.  Here was another tool we learned about and I cannot wait to use it with my Kinders.  This, is the "Q" matrix:

This handy dandy matrix can be used in a variety of way!  The questions in the red quadrant are the ones we hear the most, they are simple, dead-ended, knowledge based questions.  The yellow questions are "caution" questions.  We are able to find out a little more information using these questions.  The green questions are "go" questions.  Using these questions we can gain even MORE information.  Lastly, the blue questions are "Sky's the limit" questions.  These are very open ended and often times give us the most information.  Here is another breakdown of these questions:

 

This would be useful for students when they are looking for specific types of information.  I'd love to start using this in my classroom because I always get those red zone questions.  Unfortunately, the Kinders aren't very curious, so this will help them to learn to be curious.  I think we will start a weekly game of "What's in the box?" and I will teach them to start using yellow zone questions.  The possibilities with the Q matrix are endless!

Differentiated Instruction

On Thursday I had the opportunity to attend a workshop about Differentiated Instruction.  I figured it couldn't hurt as I have an inclusive classroom and could use some more helpful hints on differentiating things for my students.  We had a wonderful presenter.  Her name was Terri Ward and she is a college professor at The College of St. Rose.  It is a coeducational college which means they offer inclusive courses!  She told us that in her current courses she has a wide range of student abilities.  She has students with physical disabilities such as CP and she has students with intellectual disabilities who read on a Kindergarten level.  It is very apparent that she has to differentiate her instruction in a variety of ways.  Instead of just telling us about these activities, she had us preform them, which is great for me, I learn best hands on!  There are a couple of activities that I plan to use in my room from now on. 

My favorite new thing I learned about was Layered Curriculum.  This is a wonderful idea that gets every student, no matter their ability, engaged and learning about the topic.  There are basically 3 different levels in the curriculum; the A layer, the B layer and the C layer.  Much like Bloom's Taxonomy, each level becomes more advanced.  So, at the A level you would have very concrete knowlegde based activities.  At the B level you would create activities at a higher level.  Lastly, on the C level you would have the most abstract, involved activities.  To give you more information and a sense of what this would look like on the Kindergarten level take a look at this example:  Shapes.  Dr. Kathie Nunley hosts a wonderful website, help4teachers, that hosts a variety of these ideas K-12.  I hope you are able to find some great ideas there!

How do you differentiate your instruction if you have to?  I'd love to hear some more great ideas!