In the math classroom, Differentiating Instruction is a key component of ensuring student success. We know that teaching through problem solving and using a three part lesson are ways to incorporate DI into our classroom, but what else can we use?
One of our FOS books clubs is studying the book "Good Questions: Great Ways to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction" by Marian Small (It is available from Nelson Education). The book breaks down the math into specific areas of: Number and Operation; Geometry; Measurement; Algebra; and Data Analysis and Probability. At the start of each chapter, there is a discussion on the "Big Ideas" for the strand, and then divides up the strand into the Grade Bands of K-Grade 2; Grades 3-5; and Grades 6-8.
At our last session, Melissa shared with us the problem that she did in her Grade 1/2 class, and the samples of student work. The question she gave them was "Here is one Tangram animal. Make your own tangram animal." How is this question differentiated? For weaker students, they could simply copy the animal that was provided. For students who needed more of a challenge, they now could create their own animals.
Some other good open questions from the book are:
K-2: Choose a type of shape. Tell as many things about it as you can.
3-5: Make a square on a geoboard. Move the elastic so that one corner is no longer a corner. What different shapes can you make?
6-8: A shape has a triangle for a cross-section. What could the shape be?
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