I am almost done with my field experience this semester. I have learned so many lessons it is amazing! I am so thankful for my students and for my cooperating teacher Mrs. Monson. She is amazing and she makes teaching look so easy. One of the best lessons that I have learned these last three weeks is how to differentiate with spelling. Last semester I learned about how to use Word their Way. But in Mrs. Monson's class that is the only thing that she uses to teach spelling.
She has 5 color groups and they are all on different spelling levels. She has each of them complete the same activities each week but on different days. This allows her to spend one day a week working with each group. She is able to focus on their individual needs and they get more personalized time with the teacher. I haves helped administer these spelling tests for the past 3 weeks and every week the students do amazingly.
By differentiating their spelling words the students are able to be very successful. The words are on their level and the students are mastering their spelling skills. I believe that this is a fantastic use of differentiating. It is far more important for the students to be challenged and successful than for all the children to learn the same concept. The Words their Way program differentiates for students readiness. It is fantastic. When I get my own classroom I am going to adopt this program. This is the simplest and easiest form of differentiating I have tried and it is working wonders in my class. :)
This post makes me soooooo, sooooo happy for you! Do you know how hard it is to get students to understand that WTW IS differentiated? The fact that you have recognized this assures you of an A, because you have assured me that you "get" it! You understand differentiation, and you recognize it! If you feel up to it, would you write a blog post comparing how the team tiers their math reteaching, to how WTW pro-actively tiers spelling instruction? (3 pts.)
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