preparing our students early catering for learner...

Preparing our Students Early –Catering for Learner Diversity at Junior Secondary Level through Differentiated InstructionBy T.W.G.Hs. Yow Kam Yuen College

9 August 2010English Language Education Section

Curriculum Development InstituteEducation Bureau

1

T.W.G.Hs. Yow Kam Yuen College

Case Studies in Differentiated Instruction in Specific Areas at Junior Secondary Level:

Catering for Learner Diversity in English Language Learning

Experience Sharing on the 2009/10 “Seed” Project

2

Points to Discuss• What is the most important

objective in catering for learner diversity in T.W.G.Hs. Yow Kam Yuen College?

• How can DI cater for learner diversity in T.W.G.Hs. Yow Kam Yuen College?

What is Differentiated Instruction?

‘Differentiated Instruction is an approach that assumes there is a diversity of learners in every classroom and that all of those learners can be reached if a variety of methods and activities are used.’(Carol Tomlinson, 2000)

4

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment

ContentContent ProcessProcess ProductProduct

How?

Differentiated Instruction

5

Student Interests

Ss’ PreferredWays of Learning

Ss’ Current Level of Knowledge & Skillse.g. They like books

with lots of illustrations. e.g. They can locate specific information from texts.

e.g. Most Ss are visual (& tactile) learners and they like working with peers.

Discovering Our Students

6

Most Ss are weak in English and some are quite motivated.

Ss’ English Ability

Discovering Our Teachers- Teaching was rather teacher-centred.- Class activities were limited to whole-class

instruction. - Teachers would teach to the middle.- PPT slides were used for explanation.- Summative assessments were used to check

students’ progress.- Streaming and small-class teaching are effective

measures to deal with learner diversity.

7

Two Phases of Tryouts in S3

Phase IReading Skills

Tryout 1: 2/11/09 – 6/11/09

Tryout 2:3/12/09 – 9/12/09

8

Phase IILearning Grammar in Context

& Consolidation of Reading Skills

Tryout 1: 1/3/10 – 5/3/10

Tryout 2:3/5/10 – 7/5/10

9

Phase I Tryouts -The Development and Consolidation

of Reading Skills

Whose Idea Was It, Anyway?

Thomson Nelson

978-0-17-011698-5

Phase II Tryouts -Learning Grammar in Context & Consolidation of Reading Skills

Tryout 1 – Let’s Fight Crime in Shatin! Tryout 2 – Travelling with Luck

10

Grammar Focus:e.g. Using passive constructions to talk about what happened in a

school burglary

Grammar Focus:e.g. Using connectives/modals/

imperatives to present purposes/reasons & give advice

Phase I TryoutsPhase I Tryouts

11

The Development and Consolidation of Reading Skills

Tryout 2 –Games & Zany Inventions

12

Tryout 1 –Household Inventions


pp. 2,3,5


pp. 27 - 29

Developing and Consolidating Students’ Reading Skills

Students are expected to develop and consolidate more advanced reading skills. For example, it is hoped that students can:• work out the meaning of words, phrases and some idiomatic expressions by using semantic and syntactic clues

• follow ideas by recognisingsimple text structures and understanding the use of cohesive devices

• organise information and ideas in texts by using knowledge of text structures and some graphic forms

13

Most students have acquired some basic reading skills. They can:

• find out the meaning of words and phrases by using the dictionary

• locate specific information by identifying key words

• make predictions about the content from the titles, illustrations or contents page

e.g.

Using DI to Help Students Learn Better


14

Tryout 1Tryout 1

15

Learning and Teaching ObjectivesTryout 1

• Working out the meaning of words and phrases by using semantic and syntactic clues

• Locating details about the history of different inventions to support the main ideas of the book – Inventions definitely make our lives easier

• Organising and presenting the sequence of events about the history of household inventions

e.g.

16

Using graphic organisers to present information

Recognising & forming compound words

Product Presenting the history of household inventions 17

Identifying the form and function of the passive voice

Group discussion

Jigsaw reading / Graphic organisers

Proc

ess

Tryout 1Content

Tryout 2Tryout 2

18

Learning and Teaching ObjectivesTryout 2

• Understanding the use of compound adjectives to describe the features of inventions

• Discussing the need for new inventions to solve problems and/or make lives easier

• Creating and presenting a zany invention

19

Labelling pictures

Mimicking

Product Creating & presenting zany inventions

Content

20

Using graphic organisers to present information

Describing different bicycles

Watching a video clip

Proc

ess

Different modes of input

Describing zany inventions

Tryout 2

21





Zany Inventions

22

Tryout 2Differentiating the Content


pp. 28 - 29

Visual input

Visual + Audio input

Presenting the Story in Different Modes –Visual & Auditory

23

Tryout 2Differentiating the Content

Differentiating the Process

labelling pictures

Tryout 2

Tryout 1

3. Giving timely feedback

2. Varying teacher support

group discussions

mimicking

using / drawing pictures

watching video clips

using visualisation techniques

1. Increasing the variety in learning, teaching and assessment activities to reach out to more students

24

Differentiating the Process

labelling pictures

Tryout 2

Tryout 1

3. Giving timely feedback

2. Varying teacher support

group discussions

mimicking

using / drawing pictures

watching video clips

using visualisation techniques

1. Increasing the variety in learning, teaching and assessment activities to reach out to more students

25

Varying Teacher Support & Giving Timely Feedback

26

Tryout 2

Follow-up task:To enter the competition “What’s the next great invention?”, you draw a sketch for the zany invention and write a short description about its appearance and functions.


Ss’ products

Differentiating the Product –Providing Choices in Demonstrating Learning

27

Tryout 1

• researching and presenting different household inventions

Difficulties Encountered & Insights Gained

Difficulties Encountered & Insights Gained

28

Difficulties Encountered

Difficulties Encountered

Planning • Project Teachers initially had very limited ideas about using DI in teaching reading.

Implementation • Students were used to expecting direct answers from teachers. They responded passively in activities like mimicking and voicing their personal opinions.

• Students did not have the language to express themselves.

• Time constraint

29

Insights from Phase I Tryouts

• Some students felt that they learnt better because their needs were addressed.

• It was effective to learn through mimicking, e.g. demonstrating how the pedals go back and forth.

• Most students loved to work with peers.

• Students learnt how to organiseand present ideas by using graphic forms, e.g. sequencing and presenting events with a timeline.

• Assignments matched their learning preferences.

• Students liked to be “challenged”.

Students• Project Teachers could explore

different approaches to respond to the challenge of student diversity.

• Teachers should ‘teach rich’ so that students can ‘learn deep’.

• Teachers need to have a higher expectation of their students.

• The project promoted a collaborative culture among Project Teachers.

Teachers

30

Points to Discuss• What is the most important

objective in catering for learner diversity in T.W.G.Hs. Yow Kam Yuen College?

• How can DI cater for learner diversity in T.W.G.Hs. Yow Kam Yuen College?



How?


32

Objectives of Catering for Learner Diversity

33

BUT TO:embrace diversity ⎯ something for everyonemaximise student engagement in learning

turn all students into ‘five-star’learners

NOT TO:eliminate diversity

Strategies for Catering for

Learner Diversity

Increa

sing variety

in

activity

Teaching rich for

learning deep

Varying teacher support Providing tim

ely feedback

LinksLinksLinks

ToothbrushThe Chinese invented toothbrushes in the late 1400s. They were made out of animal hair, such as pig bristles.

Toothpaste has been around since 1660. Washington Sheffield, an American dentist, invented a metal tube in 1862 that could be squashed by hand to dispense toothpaste. Plastic toothbrushes with nylon bristles were invented in 1938. Electric toothbrushes were first made in 1961.

Reading PassagesCompound word

Passive construction

Presenting information using a timeline

36

Tryout 1

Working out the meaning of ‘bristles’ by using semantic and syntactic clues


p. 3

37

Tryout 1

To join the competition “Whose idea was it, anyway?”, you and your classmates will work in groups of four and select one or two household item(s) for presentation in the museum.

You should read the book “Whose idea was it, anyway?” or surf the Internet to collect information about the history of household items. Then try to decide how the presentation should be conducted to help the audience understand the history more easily.



Follow-up Task

38

Tryout 2Reading Passages


pp. 27 - 29

39

Tryout 2

To enter the competition “What’s the next great invention?”, you draw a sketch for the zany invention and write a short description about its appearance and functions.

To enter the competition “What’s the next great invention?”, you draw a sketch for the zany invention and write a short description about its appearance and functions.

Follow-up Task

1.Using Graphic Organisers to Organise and Present Information

40

Visualisation TechniquesTryout 1

Example One

ToiletRuins of toilets have been found in ancient cities. These toilets had stone seats, not plastic ones! The waste dropped into a pit below. When the pit filled up, it was probably one unlucky person’s job to empty it. The first flush toilet was not invented until 1956. Before then, most people used chamber pots and dumped the contents out the window!

41

Example Two




p. 5

Revisiting the use of timelines to present information

coat● ●over

brush● ●arm

board● ●hair

chair● ●cup

42

Visualisation Techniques2. Recognising & Forming Compound Words

Tryout 1

Find the household items and put them back in the correct places.

Find the household items and put them back in the correct places.

Visualisation Techniques

43

2. Recognising & Forming Compound Words

Tryout 1

3. Identifying the Form of the Passive Voice with the Help of a Table

Who invented plastic toothbrushes with nylon bristles?Who first made electric toothbrushes in 1961?

44


in 1961.were first madeElectric toothbrushes

in 1938.were inventedPlastic toothbrushes with nylon bristles

The answers are not mentioned. Why?

Generating Ideas through Discussions

45

Tryout 1

Generating Ideas through Discussions

The toilet should have an auto tissue machine so that we can clean ourselves easily.

46

Tryout 1

3,000 years before 1817 Egyptian

A Germana two-wheeled bicycle with no pedals --- hobbyhorse

a two-wheeled vehicle

47

Tryout 2


Visualisation Techniques

Watching a Video Clip to Give Students More Ideas about Crazy Inventions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb-gmJVW5lw 48

Tryout 2

10 Crazy Japanese Inventions

49

Labelling PicturesTryout 2

Describing the Features of Different Bicycles

50

Tryout 2 Pictures and Teacher GuidanceTo Assist in the Formation of IdeasExample One

51

Pictures and Teacher GuidanceTo Assist in the Formation of Ideas

Tryout 2

Creating your Future Bicycle for 2046

52

Pictures and Teacher GuidanceTo Assist in the Formation of Ideas

Tryout 2

This is my future bicycle for 2046. It is called “I can fly”. It is a four-wheeled vehicle with air-filled tyres and a comfortable leather seat. It can fly in the sky. It is good to ride with your friends.

This is my future bicycle for 2046. It is called “I can fly”. It is a four-wheeled vehicle with air-filled tyres and a comfortable leather seat. It can fly in the sky. It is good to ride with your friends.

53

Drawing Pictures to Guide the Formation of Ideas

Tryout 2

This is my future bicycle for 2046. It is called modern Banana Bike. It is a three-wheeled vehicle with air-filled tyres. It can go everywhere. It has a television. It is very beautiful and fashionable.

This is my future bicycle for 2046. It is called modern Banana Bike. It is a three-wheeled vehicle with air-filled tyres. It can go everywhere. It has a television. It is very beautiful and fashionable. 54


Tryout 2

Describing Zany Inventions

55

Example Two

Tryout 2 Pictures and Teacher Guidance to Assist in the Formation of Ideas


56

Pictures and Teacher Guidance to Assist in the Formation of Ideas

Tryout 2



57

Tryout 2

Mimicking

So how do the pedals go back and forth?

58

Tryout 2

Whose Idea Was It, Anyway?p. 27

Ss’ Zany Inventions

This invention is called flying bag. It is big. It can fly everywhere. You can take snacks from the bag. It is funny.

This invention is called flying bag. It is big. It can fly everywhere. You can take snacks from the bag. It is funny.

59



Tryout 2

60

Tryout 1





Follow-up Task

Differentiating the Product

Differentiating the Product

61

Tryout 1

Suggested Reference SourcesFrom the book:• soap• plates• microwave ovens• vacuum cleaners• sewing machines

From the book:• soap• plates• microwave ovens• vacuum cleaners• sewing machines

On the Internet:

Allowing for In-depth Learning of a Self-selected Topic within the Area of Study

62

Differentiating the Product –Providing Choices in Demonstrating Learning

Timeline

Graphic Form

DramaInterview

PosterComic Strip

63

Tryout 1

Students Creating Products that Match their Learning Styles (I)

Timelines

Visual & Kinesthetic

64

Tryout 1

Graphic Forms Posters 65

Students Creating Products that Match their Learning Styles (II)

Visual & Kinesthetic

Tryout 1

66

Students Creating Products that Match their Learning Styles (III)

Audio

Interview

Tryout 1

67

A Story about a Zany InventionA Story about a A Story about a Zany InventionZany Invention

A long time ago, people used carts A long time ago, people used carts for travelling. These carts were for travelling. These carts were

pulled by horses. pulled by horses. 68

One day, the motorcar was invented. 69

Some horses were frightenedby the motorcars.

70

In order not to frighten the horses, people used a wooden horse.

Oh, no! Not this type of wooden horse.71

The wooden horse was attached tothe front of a car to disguise the car as a horse.

72

preparing our students early catering for learner...

Documents