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Extension Menus
Strategies for Differentiating the Curriculum
Credits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
Why Choice?
Choice is the one option that meets all students’ needs.
Greater sense of independence Strengthened student focus on
the content Provides students with a desire to
learnCredits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
What is an Extension Menu?
An extension menu is an array of independent learning activities based on the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (Revised) presented in a ‘choice’ or ‘menu’ format to provide students with options for extending or enriching the essential curriculum.Tic-Tac-ToeList Menu2-5-8 Menu
Sample Tic-Tac-Toe MenuWEATHER EXTENSIONS MENU
Explore the effects of violent weather on people and their surroundings. Include statistics about the short- and long-term costs of such violent episodes.
Investigate the Farmer’s Almanac and other sources for yearly weather predictions over a decade. Draw conclusions about the accuracy of the sources.
Investigate and report on any aspect of weather that interests you. Present your information in a way that other students will learn from.
Research the job of meteorologist and compare it to the same job during the 1970s. Include the percentage of accurate predictions, as well as the changes in data-collection devices.
StudentChoice
Use resources from a Web site to create models of instruments used to predict and read weather signs.
Trace the improvements in devices used to predict catastrophic weather situations from the 1950s to the present.
Investigate the statistics about fatalities from several weather-related types of tragedies. Draw conclusions about the relative danger of each type.
Predict how scientists will control weather 25 years from now.
Description: 8 pre-determined
choices, 1 free All items same weight Same expectations for
completion and effort
Benefits: Flexibility: can cover 1
obj or up to 3 obj 1 Obj: students
complete a column or row, or any three
3 Obj: students need to complete column or row
Friendly design Weighting: equal
Limitations: Few topics Student compromise
Time: Short Time: 1-3 weeks
Sample List MenuDescription: 10 pre-determined
choices with assigned point values 1 free
Choices have different weights
Point criterion = 100%Benefits: Responsibility: student
control: guarantee grade if finish required work
Allows for in-depth study of material; lower pts. reinforce basics for those needing reteaching
Limitations: Few topics PreparationTime: 2 Weeks
Sample 2-5-8 MenuDescription: 8 pre-determined
choices Points are in relation to
Bloom’s levels Students are expected
to earn 10 points for 100%
Benefits: Responsibility: Students
control over grades Guaranteed High level:
Must complete 1 high level activity to reach point goal
Limitations: One topic No Free Choice Higher Level Thinking
Time: Completion in one week
Advantages of Extension Menus
Strategy spans all curricular areas Can target specific learning activities for
an individual student or small group Allows student choice as well as challenge Students’ choices reveal their interests,
abilities and learning styles Promotes higher level thinking skills Encourages the development of
independent thinking
How to Use Menus in the Classroom Use them as enrichment/supplementary
activities Teacher introduces menu/activities at the beginning of unit; Teacher proceeds using other materials, as content is being taught,
students have choices with menus to supplement deeper understanding Builds an immediate use for the content Gifted students investigate concepts mentioned in the unit before the
teacher teaches them
Use menus to drive center or station activities
Centers could be set up with materials needed to complete various projects
Use as mini-lessons Students MUST demonstrate prior knowledge; menus
used as reinforcement
Products
Product list: based on learning style and resource availability in the teacher’s classroom
Explanation of products should be discussed with students
Student contract for $1 budget for project
Credits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
Assessment
All Purpose Rubric: copied on the back of menu; explain in detail
Self: VERY important: explain the student’s evaluation is also necessary
Student Taught Lesson Rubric Oral Presentation Rubric
Credits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
Why use Extension Menus? Enrich or extend the essential
curriculum Challenge the abilities of highly able
students Provide alternative activities that
address the differing abilities, interests, or learning styles of students
Allow choice
TASK:
Using “Quarter at a Glance”: As a content team (ELA, Math, Science,
Social Studies), create a menu for use across the grade level for diverse learners
Each team will present their menu including form of assessment
As an individual, choose a menu type (different from team) and create a menu for use during this 9 weeks for publication in the Brill Staff folder
3-2-1
Write:3: Key Ideas
2: Things I enjoyed or benefited from
1: Question, Request, or Implementation Idea