Fun in First

A Teaching Blog by Jodi Southard

differentiation

All in One Differentiated Reading Passages

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Reading instruction in a classroom with students at various reading levels can definitely be challenging.  If you follow a basal program, the text levels for each week may be too hard for your low readers and much too easy for your higher readers.  This is why I love doing small groups during my reading block.  I want to make sure that my students are reading text at their instructional reading levels.

These Monthly Differentiated Reading passages are my go-to during small group instruction or during our intervention/enrichment time.  I love that almost all of my students can read about the same topic and work on the same comprehension skill, but at their own reading level.

Want to save time planning for your small group reading lessons each week? These monthly guided reading packets are your answer! Each Guided Reading packet includes 4 differentiated nonfiction passages, and 4 differentiated fiction passages. (24 passages in all) The passages include a lesson plan example, vocabulary cards, pre-reading activity, 3 levels of reading passages with vocabulary words and comprehension questions, a comprehension graphic organizer, and a writing response page.

Each month includes 4 nonfiction and 4 fiction stories at three different reading levels.  Each passage includes “Power Words” to increase their vocabulary skills.  The higher level passages include more Power Words than the lower reading level passages.  Every story also includes a corresponding comprehension skill, comprehension graphic organizer, and a writing component.

Want to save time planning for your small group reading lessons each week? These monthly guided reading packets are your answer! Each Guided Reading packet includes 4 differentiated nonfiction passages, and 4 differentiated fiction passages. (24 passages in all) The passages include a lesson plan example, vocabulary cards, pre-reading activity, 3 levels of reading passages with vocabulary words and comprehension questions, a comprehension graphic organizer, and a writing response page.

How do I use these Differentiated Reading Passages in my classroom?

I typically use these during small group instruction for one of our weekly lessons during that time.  This allows me to differentiate easily for each reading group.  I also love that I can be consistent with keeping the same comprehension skill and vocabulary words for the entire class.  This year, I have actually been using these with my enrichment group during our I/E (Intervention/Enrichment) time.  I am able to really dig deep into each of these stories as we practice our reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension practice.

Want to save time planning for your small group reading lessons each week? These monthly guided reading packets are your answer! Each Guided Reading packet includes 4 differentiated nonfiction passages, and 4 differentiated fiction passages. (24 passages in all) The passages include a lesson plan example, vocabulary cards, pre-reading activity, 3 levels of reading passages with vocabulary words and comprehension questions, a comprehension graphic organizer, and a writing response page.

I love that these Differentiated Reading Passages allow me to integrate reading with science and social studies.

One of my favorite things about these passages is that I can integrate reading with other subject areas by using the nonfiction passages.  It is often difficult to get everything in during the school day, so integrating subjects with each other is so important.

Want to save time planning for your small group reading lessons each week? These monthly guided reading packets are your answer! Each Guided Reading packet includes 4 differentiated nonfiction passages, and 4 differentiated fiction passages. (24 passages in all) The passages include a lesson plan example, vocabulary cards, pre-reading activity, 3 levels of reading passages with vocabulary words and comprehension questions, a comprehension graphic organizer, and a writing response page.

What are teachers saying about these Differentiated Reading Passages?

“This is one of the best purchases I’ve made on TPT! It allows you to use the same “Power Words” or vocabulary with your class, but the passages using the vocabulary are written at 3 different reading levels allowing all students to access the content! It also contains a written option and reading response for each reading. Wow! This has saved me so much time! Thank you!” -Sharon

“This is an AMAZING resource for guided reading. I love the prediction pages with a picture that really help the students stay focused on the topic. Also, I love telling them their writing goal for the week which is included.” -Nicole

“These passages are wonderful for comprehension in terms of teaching to look back in the text. I also love the vocabulary piece. The graphic organizers are great too. The passages are just the right length and the topics keep my guided reading group engaged! Thanks!” -June

“One of the BEST resources I have ever bought from TPT (and trust me I have bought A LOT)!! This has everything you can hope for! Absolutely no prep needed for your daily guided reading FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR! Having three different passages for each story at three different levels is amazing! This allows all the students in the class to practice the same reading skill, and learn about the same topic, but at a level that is good for them. LOVE LOVE LOVE this and use this almost everyday throughout the year!”

Check out each month or save on the ENTIRE YEAR Bundle.

Want to save time planning for your small group reading lessons each week? These monthly guided reading packets are your answer! Each Guided Reading packet includes 4 differentiated nonfiction passages, and 4 differentiated fiction passages. (24 passages in all) The passages include a lesson plan example, vocabulary cards, pre-reading activity, 3 levels of reading passages with vocabulary words and comprehension questions, a comprehension graphic organizer, and a writing response page.

Colorize Your Classroom

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The Astrobrights Paper Colorize Your Classroom Challenge is back, and I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Astrobrights for this campaign.

 

Studies show that color can increase memory by up to 50 percent and help students remain engaged.

 

ColorizeYourClassroom.com gives teachers a gallery of inspiration and ideas on how color can help transform their classrooms.

 

The Astro Bright Minds have issued four different challenges that tackle problems teachers face when creating the right environment for their students: classroom décor, organization, differentiated instruction and memorization.
I will be discussing how I use color in my classroom to help with differentiated instruction.
I love using color to differentiate sight word lists for my students.  I begin by finding out which sight words my students still need to work on. (This year, I had an amazing parent volunteer help me with this.)
After figuring out which list each student needs to start on, I give the student a “bookmark” with that list of sight words.  I print each list on a different color of Astrobrights cardstock.
I print these 2-sided, so each student actually has two sight word lists to work on.  Once they have mastered this list, they move onto the next color.
My students can keep these in their pencil boxes, on their desks, or in a book they are reading, so the lists are always at their fingertips.
I also love to use color for differentiating my small groups.
I received these tubs from Lakeshore Learning Resources a couple of years ago, and they are perfect for my small groups.  I can place the items that we will be working on into these tubs for the week (books, sight word cards, fluency passages, etc.).
I also have correlating tabs in my Small Group Binder with the color for each group.
This allows me to find my reading resources, like Running Records and other reading notes, quickly.
I’d LOVE to hear how you use color to differentiate in your classroom?
Think you have a bright idea? Check out the challenges on ColorizeYourClassroom.com, upload an image of your own solution using color paper and enter to win a yearlong sponsorship from Astrobrights worth $5,000.
Enter up to four times, once for each challenge.
 Submit your idea and Astrobrights may feature it as the pick of the week on Facebook to help other teachers colorize their learning.
Visit ColorizeYourClassroom.com for details, official rules for entry and hundreds of ideas on how to Colorize Your Classroom.