Resources and Downloads for Differentiated Instruction
Educators from Mesquite Elementary School, in Tucson, Arizona, have provided these resources for you to use in your own school.
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Lesson Plans & Rubric - Reteach and Enrich
Sample materials used to teach, assess, reteach, and enrich one week's fifth grade math objective: differentiating prime and composite numbers. Watch our video or read the article to learn more about Mesquite's Reteach & Enrich program.
- Standard for Prime and Composite Numbers
Overview of math objective for one week: differentiating prime and composite numbers
- Formative Assessment on Prime and Composite Numbers
Weekly formative assessment on differentiating prime and composite numbers
Reteach Examples
- Divisibility Rule Keynote
Overview of divisibility rules for day one of reteach
- The Super Sieve
Activity used on day two for reteach
- The Factor Game
Worksheet for the factor game used on day three of reteach
Enrich Examples
Example of a game played in enrichment class
- Bingo Call Cards
Bingo call cards used for enrichment class
- Bingo Card
Example of a bingo card used in enrichment class
Websites
Activities used by Mesquite teachers for teaching prime and composite numbers
Fruit Shoot game from Sheppard Software
Factor Game from Illuminations
Interactive factor tree from National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Tools for Data Assessment
Teachers at Mesquite meet weekly with the student achievement teacher to review the most recent assessment data and plan instruction for each student accordingly.
Sample spreadsheet used to track student performance on each objective.
Students whose performance falls in the bottom 25 percent of the class are tracked more closely using spreadsheets like this one.
Benchmark = 1 quarter
AIMS is the state standardized test
PL = Performance Level on AIMS
M = Meets
A = Approaches
FFB = Falls Far Below
Grid displaying per student performance for each objective on a benchmark test.
MS = Meets Standard
AS = Approaches Standard
FS = Falls Below Standard
Profile report of overall performance for one fifth grade class on a benchmark test.
Profile report of overall performance for entire fifth grade on a benchmark test. Codes such as S1C1, S1C2, are weekly performance objectives; M05 is Mesquite, 5th grade.
Culture
- Bell to Bell Learning
Philosophy at Mesquite Elementary
- Mesquite and Vail School Districtis ACT Statement
Code of conduct for all students in the Vail School District
- Mesquite and Vail School Districtis REACH Statement
Expectations for instruction for all teachers in the Vail School District
- Mesquite Schedule
Daily schedule at Mesquite Elementary. Teachers at Mesquite have 35 minutes each day for collaborative planning.
- Mesquite School Map
Mesquite was designed to encourage collaboration, with each grade level organized in pods around a common area.
Websites & Readings
Beyond Textbooks -- website for the Beyond Textbooks program (Watch the Edutopia video to learn more about how Mesquite teachers use Beyond Textbooks.
Math Solutions -- founded by Marilyn Burns, dedicated to improving math learning
ABC Teach -- free printable resources
Sheppard Software -- free educational games, activities and more
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics -- resources for teaching math
National Library of Virtual Manipulates, Utah State University -- games and activities for K-12
BBC Schools -- numeracy for ages 4-11
Renaissance Learning -- tool provider for data-driven schools
Starfall -- learn-to-read website with phonics for K-2
Brainpop -- animated educational site
Brainpop Jr. -- educational activities for K-3
Study Island -- standards-based learning solutions
Education City -- interactive educational site
Headsprout -- programs to teach early reading comprehension
Mesquite Elementary School
Enrollment
601 | Public, SuburbanPer Pupil Expenditures
$6252 School • $6815 District • $7609 StateFree / Reduced Lunch
22%DEMOGRAPHICS:
12% special needs
3% English-language learners