DI/ UbD Ch. 6 Synthesis

Reflection on Reading

Name: Group 2 Date: 10/02/07

Book Title: DI/UbD Chapter: Six

Abstract:

This chapter is about instructional decision making in the classroom with a focus on how to incorporate differentiation into teaching methods. Flexible use of classroom elements such as time frames, resources, teaching and learning strategies are emphasized as ways to keep advanced students involved and students with more needs the support them require. The authors note that making the students aware of the goals/desired outcomes of and standards in a unit is a great first step to facilitating learning. Informing them of the performance task they will be expected to complete as well as rubrics by which they will be assessed will allow them to know what to expect. Regular reflection is also key.

Reflection:

As a group, we appreciated this chapter for its advice on how to use backwards design to assist student learning and justify giving them the requirements at the beginning of the unit. We also thought that the idea of “clustering” is an effective way to reach the most students without wasting a lot of time trying to address every specific MI. It allows teachers to group students according to what is appropriate for any given lesson, and then to address the groups rather than the individuals. Abbie also pointed out that the sports analogy was helpful and made it easier for her to connect to the reading.