You are a Food Science student.

It’s time to start a new vocabulary unit.

Your teacher hands out a vocabulary list.

Which activity would YOU choose?

Re-write the list (RED)

Create flashcards (BLUE)

Illustrate a picture (YELLOW)

Record the vocabulary words on your MP3 player (GREEN)

Complete a crossword puzzle (ORANGE)

Find & underline the words in a reading (BLACK)

LAYERED CURRICULUM INSTRUCTIONAL

MODEL

Giving Students Choice in the Classroom:

Some findings from brain research

NOVELTY is important

Stress makes it difficult for us to remember information

Some findings from brain research

The brain relaxes if we have CHOICES

What is the Layered Curriculum model?

“Dr Kathie Nunley's Layered Curriculum® is a simple method for differentiating instruction in classrooms for all grade levels, and remains the only differentiated instructional method ORIGINALLY designed for high school classrooms.”

“Based on current brain-imaging information, Layered Curriculum is a fun and effective student-centered teaching method. This 3-layer model of differentiated instruction encourages complex thinking and holds students highly accountable for their learning.”

--help4teachers.com

Why Layered Curriculum? Why now?

Many students are disengaged

Why Layered Curriculum? Why now?

Students need to develop application & critical analysis skills to deal with a complex world

Why Layered Curriculum? Why now?

One-size-fits-all models do NOT work for today’s diverse students

Layered Curriculum as umbrella model

Differentiated instruction

Cooperative Learning

Multiple Intelligences

Interdisciplinary teaching

Rigor & Relevance

The crux of Layered Curriculum is CHOICE

You just finished reading an article on fats. With a partner, create 3 follow-up activities.

3 Levels of Layered Curriculum

1st -Level: Basic Knowledge & Skills

2nd -Level: Application

3rd -Level: Analysis

1st -Level: Basic Knowledge & Skills

General understanding of the topic

Develop basic skills

1st -Level: Examples

Vocabulary listsFlashcardsIllustrate vocabulary

Vocabulary games

Reading comprehension questions

1st -Level: Examples

Station activities

Quia quizzesOnline skills practice

Flashcards

2nd -Level: Application

Apply & manipulate information and skills

2nd -Level: Examples

Create a brochure

Create postcard

Write a letter to a friend

Write a poem

3rd -Level: Analysis

Students think CRITICALLY about the content

*Interdisciplinary connections

Open-ended projects

3rd -Level: Examples

ECONOMICS--Create & explain a budget (in euros) for a trip you plan to take to Spain.

3rd -Level: Examples

HISTORY-Investigate the influence of various immigrant groups as they came to the US throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Choose 5 words that became part of American culture due to the contributions of these immigrants.

3rd -Level: Examples

ARCHITECTURE-Choose one building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Pennsylvania. Describe it and explain how it utilizes five mathematical concepts and incorporates local, natural elements.

Unit Sheets

How Layered Curriculum model is operationalized

Divided into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels

Unit Sheets

Students choose from a variety of assignments in each level

Unit Sheets

Maximum # of points / section

Students complete assignments based on their personal grade goal

Unit Sheets

Each layer will have a due date.

Homework in Layered Curriculum Model

Students determine what they should do for homework based on completion dates & deadlines

Assessment in Layered Curriculum Model

Use of rubrics

3rd -Level assignments graded like traditional projects

Assessment in Layered Curriculum Model

Regular quizzes, tests, performance assessments

The UNIQUE feature…

The Oral Defense

Students PROVE what they know in one-on-one interview with teacher

The Oral Defense

Accountability for 1st -Level assignments

Eliminates busy work, copying, cheating

The Oral Defense

Student chooses when he/she is ready for oral defense

The Oral Defense

If a student can’t explain it, he/she doesn’t get credit

Some practical advantages…

Students are in control of their grades

Students (parents) know EXACTLY what to expect