All posts by Jessica Didyoung

Orange Goes Green 4th Grade

Lesson Plans

Lesson by Kristin Mele

Grade Level 4

Summary In this lesson students begin to learn about climate and how it affects what plants grow through the example of an orange. Students will be able to incorporate all aspects of STEM education through designing a machine that will use less fossil fuel and in turn help the environment in which oranges are grown. This lesson is very well differentiated and connects to real life problems and contained multiple forms of assessment.

Inclusivity of Multiple Perspectives – 2

Link to Real World Problems – 3

Differentiation – 3

Agents of Change – 2

Connection to Students’ Lives – 2

Lesson Assessment –3

Score 15/18

Research Abstract

Research and Abstracts

Jessica Didyoung

Levy, H. M. (2008). Meeting the Needs of All Students through Differentiated Instruction: Helping Every Child Reach and Exceed Standards. The Clearing House , 161-164.

Research Problem: The article aims to discover ways in which to better differentiate the content, the process and the product in a classroom with students of varying levels. It discusses why it is important to ensure that each student is able to participate and understand the content and lessons at their level.

Research Questions: The article questions what the best way to differentiate instruction in a classroom. It discusses different forms of assessment and ways of groupings in order to discover the ways in which each type can be used beneficially and times when certain assessments and groupings will not work.

Data Collection Procedure: The article discusses the methods of differentiate in terms of the 5th grade classroom of Mrs.Johnson who has a particularly challenging class in terms of ELL learners as well as behavioral disorders.

Findings: The article found that using a pre assessment was very beneficial in a classroom because it allows the teacher to understand where each student is starting out and therefore they have an idea of what kind of understanding each indidviual student has and where to go from there. Formative assessment gives the teacher a chance to check in with the students progress and summative allows the teacher to see if a child was successful in learning the skill. Grouping plays a big part in differentiation because there are many types of grouping that can be done for instance, by interests, by level, or by learning styles. With each way of grouping the teacher is able to take individuals needs in mind and help each student to be placed where they will feel comfortable and get the most of their work.