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A Peek at My Differentiated Week

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Another Snow Day . . . Last year we ended up with a total of 11 days before it was all said and done.Β  This year, we are at a mere 4.Β  I actually think the rest of the country has faired far worse than those of us in Northern Michigan.Β  We’ve been fortunate, but today was a no-brainer.Β  The winds are crazy with whiteout conditions, and it’s bitterly cold.Β  So the boys and I are hunkered down in our PJs for a day of forts, picnics, cake for them (I’m on a dreaded, although necessary, β€œ30 Days to Fit” challenge so none for me), hot wheel races, a stuff animal circus and lots and lots of snuggles and books.Β  While they steal a nap, I decided to break out my camera to see what I actually took pictures of this week and give you a peek. Β It seems likeΒ a lot of math for some reason, but that must have been when I had a quick moment to grab a photo.Β  I have to admit, with all the Dibelassessing, Comprehensive Needs Analysis reports, MLPPs (my Michigan friends know what those are) and report cards, the week was kind of a blur. It doesn’t help that I was out of my room for a day and a half, but at least it will give you some glimpses.
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Each week we focus on a different poem in class, and this week’s is The Three Little Kittens. Β I love this poem, because it reminds me of my own three little kittens at home who continually are losingΒ their ‘mittens’ and other items. Β I always always always have a dramatic play station with three kittens, mittens, a clothes line and a wash board (you can kind of see them in the background). Β Any administrator that believes that Dramatic Play does not have a place in a kindergarten classroom needs to come see how my kinders retell this poem over and over at this station. Β (Hmmm retell? Β Isn’t that one of our Common Core Standards? Β Why yes it is!) We, as teachers, HAVE to offer these opportunities for our students who are linguistic and musical learners. Β Differentiating means meeting the needs of your students by responding to their interests, their level of readiness andΒ their learning profile. Β 
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Cold weather math stations were in high gear this week with some high-intensity bump games going on. Β Β 
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You never know when you’re opponent will BUMP you off your number. Β This game allowed me to give my students practice in ten frames, numerals or tally marks depending of their level of readiness.
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My kinesthetic learners always know that I have a write the room going during math and word work stations. Β Kinders need to move and this gives them a reason to do it. Β This picture is a prime example of how one write the roomΒ activity is tiered. Β The blue bordered cards are for students still trying to master number recognition, one-to-one counting and before and after numbers. Β The purple bordered cards are for beginning addition students and the green cards are for students who are working on addition to ten. Β 
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Students know which card they are working on because their response sheet matches. Β For 90% of my math stations, I use laminate and dry erase markers for recording answers if necessary. Β I don’t likeΒ any more paper work than I have to give, and I can quickly assess what they are doing and see if they are ‘getting it.’ Β (Most of my math stations doΒ offer black/white response sheets for those of you that are required to have some form of evidence of mastery other than observation. I totally get that there are those of you that need it, so I included it.) Β 
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I LOVE stations that are independent and self-correcting, and here is one for addition. There are actually cards for 0-5 addition and another set for subtraction and 0-10 for addition and a set for subtraction. Β It gives me a ton of options for differentiating based on where they are at in mastering these skills.
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We also played some Spin It to Win It Cold Weather style. Β These are differentiated and include tally mark cards, ten frames and numerals. Β Students work on determining bigger and smaller numbers (or you can challenge them with even/odd number recognition). Β 
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If you want any additional information on any of the activities above, you know you can just click on a picture to get more information. Β If you would like to see my blog post that outlines all the activities from my Cold Weather Math Stations including a planning sheet. Β Just click on the picture below. Β It has all the was you can differentiate along with hyper links to the activities.
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Keep warm friends and enjoy these days of cold weather any way you can. Β I’m off to build another fort with the boys.
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Marsha Moffit McGuire

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