Finished of my first summer read! Plus a flash giveaway!

Jul 13

Posted by

Okay, I’m doing a 2 Part Blog Post today…
 
Part 1: Finished my First Summer Read
Don’t you just love it when you devote your time to something and it pays off? Me too!
 
I just finished my first summer read  “Differentiated Instruction in the Whole-Group Setting”  about  a week ago. It was a quick read and had LOTS of great ideas that I really do hope to incorporate into my room in some way next year. Of course, I can’t simply give you everything from the book. The author, Betty Hollas, would probably not be too happy with me. That being said, I’d like to share with you my THREE “take-aways” from this book.
 

Lot of great ideas in this book!

 
When I read a professional book, I use lots of post-its (if I don’t own the book) and I try to narrow the information down to just 3 things that I could try to incorporate into my teaching – whether that be points of reflection, specific ideas or teaching strategies. From those three, I choose ONE to start with. The way I figure it, it’s like a cook book. Even if I just get one good recipe out of it – I’m happy. If I get one idea that I actually use, that works well for my students and that makes my classroom a better place to be – well then it was worth it! Then, I can move on to number two on my list.
 
This book would be excellent for a teacher who’s just starting out. There were lots of ideas in there that I already use in my room (which was sort of a pat on the back, actually) and many others that I’ve heard of, but that I just haven’t gotten around to incorporating. Some of my favorites (that I already use) from the book are: Anticipation Guides, “I Have, Who Has” and Exit Slips. Betty has included descriptions and reproducibles to go with these, and so many other strategies in the book.
 
So, what am I going to focus on from this book, you ask? What were my Ah-ha! moments? It was hard to narrow it down to three – but here we go!
 
 
1) I have recognized that I am still not using Bloom’s Taxonomy the way I would like. I use it. I try to use it properly and encourage higher level thinking. I need to try a bit harder! So, my first goal is to really focus on getting my students up to those higher levels of thinking, and try to spend less time in the Knowledge/Comprehension arena.
 
2) I plan to use more menus and cubing to help me with differentiation. I know that menus, especially, have been around for a while. Again – I do use them. I’d like to use them more! Actually, I hope to cheat a little and combine my #1 and #2 goals by creating menus using Bloom’s Taxonomy as a  guide of sorts, where possible. Cubing – same thing! Whatever questions or tasks I put on the cubes, I plan to make sure that there is a good selection of higher level options. 
 
3) Finally, this is not so much of a goal as a mantra for me. I’ve realized that small shifts in my room can have a huge impact on the lives and learning of my students. It won’t be possible to differentiate everything all of the time. But, if I keep doing what I’m doing now and add in some more of the “good stuff” that I’ve found in this resource, my classroom will begin to evolve into what I what I truly want it to be. That is, a place where I am able to reach all learners, build on their strengths and address their weaknesses in a way that they learn most effectively. Some day. I’m only a few years into my career, really. I’m figuring out that everything doesn’t just “come” overnight. Knowing how to differentiate and actually being able to find the time to do it, are two different things. That’s why my “take-away” for #3 focuses on the idea of “baby steps”.
 
Once the year is underway, I’ll fill you in from time to time on my successes and struggles with differentiating for my students and I’ll be asking for your tricks too, of course! I’m excited to have put some goals down in writing and also to have shared them with all of you. I plan to put these goals in writing on my desk as a reminder, too. I know that all of this together, will really help me to be more focused next year!
 
Part 2: Flash Giveaway
I’m in the mood for trying new things and one of you will really benefit from this! This is my first Flash Giveaway! All you have to do is make a comment on this post and fill out your name and email in the Lessons From The Middle Flash Giveaway form. You can comment about some aspect of differentiation, anything that I mentioned in this post, your own goals, your summer reading, your own struggles or successes in the classroom, a strategy that you use that you’d like to share, a question that maybe I, or someone else may be able to answer or comment on. I’ll use a random number generator to choose one winner tomorrow. The winner will have a choice of either my best seller: “Turn the First Days of School into PD For Students“  OR my newest math resource “Rounding and Place Value Activities“.
 
lessons from the middle, differentiation and giveaway

Rounding and Place Value Activities

 

lessons from the middle, differentiation and giveaway

Turn the First Days of School into PD for Students

 Good luck and I look forward to reading your comments!!! Lessons from the middle, canadian teacher blog, middle school lessons

 
 

About krystalmills

I am a Grade 7 teacher in Prince Edward Island. Lessons From The Middle shares lessons from the classroom, and occasionally from my life as a mom of two young boys. The goal of this Canadian teacher blog is to share middle school lessons, activities and ideas from my classroom and to collaborate with the wonderful online community of teachers out there as well! Thanks for stopping by!   Find me on Facebook Twitter Pinterest Browse my TPT Store Browse my TN Store

Posted on July 13, 2012, in contest, Differentiated instruction, Education, Giveaways, Middle School, Professional Development, Professional Reading, Reflecting About Teaching and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 58 Comments.

  1. Julie Levine | July 13, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Great blog post…. sometimes I find differentiation hard to do when they all need to learn something. I think I will add that book to my list of reads. Also great giveaway!

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      It’s hard and it’s not, Julie. I think sometimes we make ourselves believe that it’s some huge switch that we have to make in our teaching, when really we’re doing it already. When we modify a test, or give outlined notes to certain students, allow a poster or a diorama – we are differentiating. I get overwhelmed when I think about having to differentiate everything all of the time. That’s why I’m just going to take baby steps:)

      Krystal

      Reply
  2. Denice Dodge | July 13, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Krystal,
    Funny you should mention the book “Differentiated Instruction in a Whole Group Setting”. I just purchased the book before I left for vacation (in fact it was delivered while I was away)! I just started to read it and I have highlighted A LOT of the book. Maybe I should take your advice and just use post-its and narrow it down to only (3) things I would like to incorporate into my classroom. How do you do it? There are soooo many great ideas..how do you narrow it down to (3)? Anyway…Can’t wait to finish the book. If I should win the giveaway (please, please), I would really LOVE to win your “Turn the First Days of School into PD for students”. I looks interesting!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Stockert | July 13, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I filled out the form, here is my comment. I too have been working on differentiation. It is an intuitive thing that everyone learns differently and at the upper level of elementary school it hasn’t necessarily happened! I have tried to tell myself that baby steps are OK…..I tried to do menus for at least one subject a week, and this year I can add more. I struggle with timing/pacing, scaffolding, and planning when doing this though. I find that TPT helps so much with resources! We are beginning Daily 5/CAFE which I think is differentiation. Am I correct? I love the theory, but implementing it because you know your students so well is not for the faint of heart. I had a student teacher come to the realization that teaching was such hard work that they really did not want to continue! :( However, better to do that now than spend a career hurting kids!
    Michelle Stockert

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 12:19 pm

      Thanks so much for your comment! Differentiation is really just trying to teach our students in the way that they learn best. You’re completely right – it’s intuitive! It’s providing extra time to answer questions, choice of projects and varied groupings. It’s what we try to do by nature anyway. I sure hope that baby steps are okay because with the work-load at school and a 2 ad 4 yr old at home – I’m pretty sure baby steps are all I can handle!!!

      Krystal

      Reply
  4. Terri Stauffer | July 13, 2012 at 10:48 am

    It seems that Christmas break, spring break or state testing always comes in the middle of our reading a novel. So to get my class back into the swing of things I use an “A,B,C” review. They work in pairs on a worksheet that has each letter of the alphabet on separate lines. They go thru what we have read and list characters, settings, themes, ideas, sayings etc. on the line of the letter that the word begins with. For example, in the book Holes they can use the character Stanley Yelnats under the letter “s” or “y”, the theme of bullying under “b”. They have to try to find something to fit for each letter of the alphabet. Once the class is finished, we share our answers, they write down any answers they don’t have, and we discuss as a review to get us back into the book. The students have fun trying to come up with answers that no one else has.

    Reply
  5. Amy | July 13, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Great post on differentiation ~ I’ve used menus for end of units but I’d really like to work on writing them for during units. Some jobs for the to-do list!

    Reply
  6. Sherrie | July 13, 2012 at 10:59 am

    I have really enjoyed reading the book Guided Math this summer. It has some great ideas for how to differentiate in your classroom. I do a lot of differentiation, but there is always room for improvement!

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 12:12 pm

      I’m still making my way through the Guided Math book. It’s basically reinforcing what I already know – I need to spend more time working with my students in small groups! I’m looking forward to really trying to figure out how to do that effectively, though!

      Krystal

      Reply
  7. Mary W | July 13, 2012 at 11:07 am

    I enjoyed your post and the timing is perfect. I have been teaching a few years and finally feel like I have some of the management issues and learning of curriculum under my belt and am ready to begin fine tuning my teaching so that I reach more students. I appreciate the book recommendation and look forward to reading more of your posts.

    Reply
  8. Joey Chapple | July 13, 2012 at 11:17 am

    It’s nice to hear what people are reading. I’m a newer teacher & always looking for good books. Knowing what is being read from bloggers helps to weed out the PD books out on the market. Also, with the “summaries” bloggers write or reading the book club discussions it narrow down the choices even more.
    Happy summer!
    Joey

    Reply
  9. Mary C | July 13, 2012 at 11:22 am

    I am new to blogs and loved reading what you shared. I am starting in a new school this year and want to incorporate differentiation more in my classroom. Thank you for sharing the ideas and tips

    Reply
  10. laural johnson | July 13, 2012 at 11:27 am

    This summer, I read Guided Math and How Children learn number concepts. Also squeezed in The Hunger Games Trilogy!

    Reply
  11. Mary DeFrates | July 13, 2012 at 11:30 am

    I enjoyed reading your post. I am also interested in encouraging higher level thinking, focusing on Bloom’s Taxonomy and just doing more of what I know works in my classroom. I had looked to purchase that book – after reading your comments I think that I might just get it! Thanks for the motivation!

    Reply
  12. Bee | July 13, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Thanks for the book review! I’m a new teacher and, like Joey Chapple above, I’ve been looking for some books to get me ready for my own classroom. Differentiation is something that I want to make a big part of my teaching and I’ve been looking for helpful resources. Do you (or anyone else) have any other recommendations?

    Reply
  13. Maria | July 13, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    I’m adding that book to my Chapters wishlist! I am planning on reading “Great Ways to Differentiate Secondary Mathematics Instruction” by Marian Small.

    Another book you may want to try is “Differentiating Instruction With Menus: Middle School Math” by Laurie E. Westphal. There is also one for Language Arts and Social Studies, although they are American based.

    Reply
  14. Alissa | July 13, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    I loved your book review! I have the book sitting here and just haven’t started it yet. I think it will now be next…as soon as I finish Daily 5 and Cafe! Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      For sure pick it up next. It’s one of those books that’s packed with strategies and so you can just make your way through and mark the ones that you’d like to try. It’s really necessary to read it cover to cover, in order. Let me know how the Daily 5 and Cafe books are when you’re finished!

      Reply
  15. Ursula Gamler | July 13, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    I’ve never read this book, but it sure does sound interesting. I am always looking for ways to add differentiation to all subjects. Thank you.

    Reply
  16. Stephanie G | July 13, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I love your book review, and the way you narrow books down to three things to use. I always get so excited when learning new ways to reach my students, but I soon forget in the hustle and bustle of the school year. I’ve just started reading guided math, and I will definitely use this strategy to keep my focus.
    I teach middle school math to special needs students, so differentiation is always in the back of my mind. Last year I started using choices based on the different learning styles of my students, and it was great (a lot of work, but great). This year I hope to implement math stations in my room, but I know it won’t be easy. Thanks for all of the great ideas and inspiration:)

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 2:14 pm

      I’m halfway through Guided Math now. Also great ideas and the focus on small groups and differentiation is there. I guess I know what I have to do, I just need someone to give me the actual plan for how to implement it on a daily basis, when I have double duty, a yearbook meeting and my kids are sick. In other words – when real life sets in! Thanks for your comment and good luck with your goal!

      Reply
  17. Susan Torrance | July 13, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    I am addicted to your blog! Even though I have been teaching for awhile, I find it necessary to revamp and try new things. I love differentiation and feel it is important to the success for each child, however, I do find myself doing more whole group instruction than I’d like. So, my goal for this year is to focus on more small group learning and making lessons specific to student needs.

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks Susan! So sweet! I find myself doing more whole group instruction than I’d like too, but it’s just really hard to get away from when that’s how you’re used to teaching! It’s an appropriate strategy, it’s just not necessarily the best strategy to use all of the time. We have the same goal!

      Reply
  18. Theresa Simoneaux | July 13, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    I’ve had this book for a while now (from a workshop). It IS wonderful!!

    Reply
  19. Karen | July 13, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    I have read the book and seen Betty Hollas many times…she’s outstanding. I agree with you, Bllooms is where I need work, using the verbiage. I’m going to make the words and post them in the room as a reminder.

    Reply
  20. Randi | July 13, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    This summer I have been reading and working on Daily 5. I will be reading CAFE when it gets here :) . I am excited and I love your post -it and goal idea :)

    Reply
  21. Stephanie G | July 13, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    I read a really great book called “Leading and Managing the Differentiated Classroom”. It gave lots of ideas and examples of how to differentiate. It also had a great section in the back called ‘teachers toolkit’ that showed you how to pull it off :)

    Reply
  22. Kelly | July 13, 2012 at 8:15 pm

    I am reading a few books this summer – re-reading Daily 5 and Cafe, and reading Balanced Math and Whole Class Discussion for the first time.

    Reply
  23. Bridget | July 13, 2012 at 8:32 pm

    I appreciate the way you describe how you manage your professional reading. I have a habit of buying several books at every conference I attend, and then ending up with lots of reading to do. I suppose I am experiencing some withdrawal from the reading requirements of grad school.

    With regard to Bloom’s Taxonomy, I saw a post awhile back that referenced a beautiful and useful poster. Here is the link in case you find it useful.

    http://blog.learningtoday.com/blog/bid/23376/Blooming-Orange-Bloom-s-Taxonomy-Helpful-Verbs-Poster

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 8:42 pm

      See – this is why I love blogging! Thanks so much for the link to the poster, Bridget. It’s perfect!

      Reply
      • Bridget | July 14, 2012 at 11:43 am

        On my Diigo in Education email this morning (the Universe must be trying to get my attention) there is a link to another very interesting site. Not only does it list Bloom’s Taxonomy, it also has research-based models for both the affective domain and the psychomotor domain. As a middle school “age” teacher (6th graders on an elementary campus) I was particularly interested in the affective domain. Here it is if you or anyone else wants to check it out.

        http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html

      • krystalmills | July 14, 2012 at 12:00 pm

        Thanks so much Bridget! I’ll be checking that one out this weekend.

        Krystal

  24. Lucy | July 13, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    I will also try to incorporate more menus in my classroom this year. I started with baby steps last year and this year I hope to be better at it.

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 13, 2012 at 8:45 pm

      It really is a process. Even one new menu for one class would be a step in the right direction – that’s how I’m looking at it. I know that I can’t change everything in a day or a year or 2 years. I still have a new ELA program and this will just be my second stab at it; our Math was re-done a couple of years ago and so this will be just my 3rd year using this resource…It’s tough to try and do it all!

      Reply
  25. Lacinda Legate | July 13, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    Hey Krystal!

    Thanks for sharing your findings in this book and the wonderful give-a-way! I, too, have not been using Bloom’s Taxonomy like I should. I plan on focusing a lot more on higher level thinking skills. The good thing about the new Common Core Standards is it is designed to accomplish these skills. One thing I plan on doing is teach the students reading skills using the Science and Social Studies textbooks, as well as novels.

    ~Lacinda

    Reply
  26. Lucinda Hoad | July 14, 2012 at 12:30 am

    What a great post. I’ve been looking around for books to help with differentiation and am putting this on my summer reading list right away. Kudos on a great blog, and I am pumped to explore your blog roll and hear more voices from teachers of this age group!

    Reply
  27. Judy Pattison | July 14, 2012 at 12:59 am

    Differentiation needs to be in everything, but it sure seems to take a lot of work and time. That book sounds like a great read….I believe I can do it before school starts

    Reply
    • krystalmills | July 14, 2012 at 8:43 am

      Judy, you could read it before school starts for sure. You could find one strategy to start with and when you’ve got that down pat in your classroom, just go back to the book to find another! That’s kind of what I’m going to try to do. There were SO many ideas in the book – it was hard to narrow it down to three, but I still have my larger list as well, to go back to when I’m comfortable with the changes that I’m going to try to make. Good luck – and yes for some things, a lot of work and time. Baby steps…

      Reply
  28. shannonjoe | July 18, 2012 at 11:36 am

    Too late for the giveaway, but that book sounds like a great read. I have read DO I Really Have to Teach Reading by Cris Tovani, and now I’m in the middle of her assessment book. Love her! I am going to use exit slips this year which I have never done. I’ve come to understand they are the formative assessment I need in order to reteach concepts! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

    Reply