Learning Team B
Special Learning Need: Gifted Students
Resource (URL if
necessary)
Benefit for Specific
Learning Need
Modifications Made
Explanation of How
Resource is
Developmentally
Appropriate
Strategies for
Implementation
Challenges for
implementation
Schoology
(Schoology.com)
This allows students to
make comparisons to
the real world
application Facebook;
students create pages
for themselves or
characters or historical
figures to
communicate with
other peers.
Students can take the
voice of a character or
figure in order to
understand different
viewpoints. This
challenges the gifted
students to look at
various perspectives,
other than their own.
This is appropriate
because Schoology
allows students to
create a page much
like Facebook, with
adolescents are
interested in.
Computer/lab time
since there is limited
space and resources.
Yummy Math
(Yummymath.com)
This is a math website
with problems that
connect to the real
world. For example,
they have problems
that deal with the U.S.
Open or the lottery.
They have a lottery
simulator. So students
are able to apply their
knowledge to the real
world and see a benefit
in learning the
concepts.
After getting students
familiar with the site,
you can have the gifted
students create their
own real world
applications and
problems. This has the
student become the
teacher to show that
they are experts.
Because it connects to
the real world, this is
appropriate for
students to learn about
current events, as well
as bridge the learning
from school to society.
Implement at he
beginning of the year
to get students used to
the program or at the
beginning of a unit of
study. Allow students
to use on a weekly
basis to communicate
with peers in their
class, other classes, or
even other schools.
The teacher can show
students the site and
complete some
problems on the site,
then students can
create a concept map
(using Kidspiration or
a SMART board with
the tech teacher) to
create their own realworld examples and
problems. They can
create a journal to
write about their
creation to apply the
literacy standards from
CCSS.
Computer/lab time
since there is limited
space and resources.
Also, there is only one
tech teacher for the 7th
grade, so her time is
limited, as well.
Turning Point/
Turning Key Clickers
Polleverywhere.com
Glogster.com
Glogster is an online
network that allows
students to make
interactive posters,
called “Glogs”.
Mathforum.org
Some gifted students
If a student answers
It is much like a text
are a challenge because the question correctly message system, which
they 1) don’t like to
with the clicker, the
students frequently do
put forth effort or 2)
teacher can
on their cell phones.
just try to skate by
differentiate the lesson
doing minimum work.
then using the data to
Polleverywhere.com
Turning Point forces
challenge gifted
has students actually
ALL students to
students.
text in their answer;
participate, and the
this is very much like
teacher can track
American Idol.
progress and student
responses in
accordance to the state
standards.
Glogster is a great tool
Teachers can make
Glogster not only
for gifted students
assignments more
allows students to
because it allows them
challenging for
teach themselves to
to showcase their
students by narrowing
organize information,
knowledge in an
the information bases
it also is a
aesthetically pleasing
that students get their
developmentally
interactive manner.
information from. For
appropriate
The outcome depends example, if a student is technological tool. It is
on how much work
making a Glogster
fairly easy to use once
students put in, and
about the Civil War,
you get the hang of it.
advanced students can
the teacher might tell
Middle schoolers need
benefit from the need them that they can only
to know how to sue
for self-monitoring.
use information from web-based technology.
first hand sources.
Math Forum is a
website where students
can find and work on
math related problems
and puzzles based on
the type of math that
they are currently
taking. The problems
featured on the site are
These types of
problems would most
likely be assigned to
students who are
capable of higher level
mathematical
operations. Solutions
are posted as well.
This resource is
developmentally
appropriate because
the website offers
problems ranging from
basic mathematics to
trigonometry and
calculus, and
everything in between.
Use as “checking
points” during direct
instruction, to ensure
students aren’t
“checking out” or use
for testing to gather
data quickly.
Teachers can easily
integrate Glogster into
any research project or
assignment in which
information has to be
displayed. There are so
many setups that can
be used, and teachers
may want to make the
use more effective by
limiting the
possibilities.
This website offers
problems that seem to
be the type you would
find in either a
beginning of the class
problem of the day
type thing, or a
problem of the week
that is assigned on
Not all classrooms
have the Turning Point
clickers, so resources
are limited.
Parents may be
concerned with the use
of cell phones, or
students may not have
cell phones. A parent
letter would need to be
sent home in order to
use
polleverywhere.com.
Because any
information can be
publically shared on
Glogster, teachers need
to be wary of
inappropriate
information that can
sometimes pop up
when browsing others’
Glogs. There is a
school version (that
might not be free) that
only allows for school
related material to be
posted.
First and foremost, you
need a membership to
access the problems.
This would be a
problem if you are
working from a
budget, as basically all
teachers do.
Reading A-Z
http://www.readingaz.com/
“Problem of the Day”
type problems and
require thought out
explanation and high
level mathematics
procedures.
Reading A-Z is a
website that offers
online books from
level aa to Z. The site
also offers vocabulary,
phonics practice, and
assessments for
teachers.
Lexile.com
This website provides
information on the
reading levels for
books. This will help
gifted students because
you can make sure
they are reading the
right book for their
level.
Khan Academy
http://www.khanacade
my.org/
Students at any grade
have vast differences
in developmental,
knowledge and skill
levels. Khan allows
students to proceed at
their own speed.
A teacher at any level
of mathematics can
assign a problem from
this website to their
students.
Monday to be turned in
on Friday. They
require explanation
and math skill so they
may require time to
complete.
Because the books are This site is very easy to
Because of the
Again, this site
organized by reading
use for both students
different reading
requires a membership.
level, teachers can
and teachers. The
levels, students can be
They do offer a free
assign different books
books are divided by divided up into reading
trial, however.
that are appropriate for
reading level so
groups and can be
each student based on
teachers can pick out allowed to choose texts
their own personal
books based on the
from the appropriate
reading needs.
levels of their students
category as assigned
and students can pick
by the teacher.
out books based on
their own reading level
or to challenge
themselves.
You can have the
The site gives an
Teachers can have
Again, some of the
gifted students look up
evaluation of the
students agree/disagree books are not lexiled,
their own book and
reading level by book,
with the lexile and
so teachers are going
read about how their
so students can pick a grade-level. If the book to need to get creative
book was lexiled. Then book to challenge them
is not available, the
with using the website
you can have them
at their level. It will
teacher and explain
(ex-have students write
agree/disagree with the make sure the book is
how the book is
their own entry based
level (the site also
grade level
evaluated and then the on the criteria outlined
assigns grade levels to
appropriate, thus
student can determine
on the website).
the book, so the
making it
it’s level and write a
student can
developmentally
mock entry for the
agree/disagree).
appropriate.
book.
Khan has the potential
The first weeks of
May supplant Math
Each student needs a
for a ‘flipped’
every class usually
curriculum. Each
login and a Gmail
classroom in which
begin with beginning
student logins in.
account. Khan
most learning is done
skill assessments.
Teachers gather those
requires one computer
by the student at their Khan also starts at first
logins into a class.
per student,
own pace. Teachers
principals and allows
Principals may gather
headphones and
become a coach to see
students to
classes into a school or
adequate computer
Instruction and
practice are online and
can be repeated as
needed.
that adequate progress
is being made. Since
instruction is delivered
online teachers now
have the time to
provide individualized
attention.
Work may be done as
easily in a connected
home as at school.
MIT Introduction to
Computer Science
and Programming
https://www.edx.org/c
ourses/MITx/6.00x/20
12_Fall/about
Harvard, Udacity,
Coursera, Khan and
others offer similar
services.
demonstrate mastery
even district. At each
be solving 10 Math
level; individual, class,
problems correctly.
school and district
The comprehensive
progress is charted and
Math curriculum
(not at individual level)
begins with single digit
aggregated so that at
addition and ends
each level student
beyond most college
attainment may been
Math. All
tracked and reported
developmental levels individually by class or
are addressed and
aggregated by grade,
individualized.
school or district.
hardware to play and
bandwidth to provide
streaming video to
each student.
Teachers and teachers
need not be in the same
location.
Enrichment.
This is an independent
This resource is not
Screening.
Must monitor for
Blows the top off of Kstudy course. Some
universally appropriate
This resource is only
frustration and
12 curriculum.
advanced assistance
to all developmental
appropriate for the
excitement levels.
Students who exceed
may be needed to
needs but is an
most advanced
There is a high dropout
standard secondary
resource students if
excellent fit for
secondary students. If rate but some 30% do
curriculum may,
gaps in their secondary Academically Talented
a teacher finds a
finish. While the same
without cost or GPA
education become
students in High
student who has
work is done that an
risk. Students are
apparent.
School who have fully learned all that a High
M.I.T. student would
afforded the
attained the entirety of School has to offer free
do it should be
opportunity to take
K-12 Math/Science.
online college course
understood that no
introductory Computer
academic credits or
Science courses at
credentials are accrued.
M.I.T.!!!
But, ‘if you can make
There are (computer)
it here you can make it
graded assignments,
anywhere’.
deadlines and tests.
Students directly attain
with much older and
international
classmates.
Student Management
Systems [Skyward]
http://skyward.com/pa
ge.ashx/InterestingInfo/Why-ChooseSkyward
Skyward provides
organization of the
many assignments and
due dates a student
faces but this is the
best tool for parent
involvement. Every
written record about a
student’s academic life
are instantly accessible
to students and family.
Current grades,
pending, late and
missing assignments,
discipline, attendance,
even if milk or cookies
were purchased at
lunch are accessible
from the web or smart
phone. We are near a
military base so many
parents are half a
world away. A parent
in Afghanistan may
know everything all
current information
about a student’s
academic life.
Students who
experience anxiety
about academic
success are able to
access timely
performance
information.
Staff must enter
assignment details as
soon as they are
assigned and promptly
enter test and
homework scores or
mark work missing.
Inform parents and
students of their log in
credentials and way to
access academic
information on the web
or smart phone.
Instruct parents during
Open house and
conferences how to use
the student
management system.
Parents may be fully
involved in student
progress and know as
soon as students are
beginning to fall
behind. Provides
parents with resources
to identify the need for
early intervention and
remediation
Parents may also see
what assignment
details and help
students organize their
academic life if those
skills are lacking.
This is an expensive
service. Districts will
pay $2 to $3 per
student to set it up and
thousands per year to
maintain.
Much district I.T.
expertise is needed.
Larger districts may
need one or more full
time staff to maintain
an SMS.
All certified staff
require an explanation
expectation posting all
assignments and
assessment data before
end of the school day.
Staff are busy but the
program will not work
without prompt data
entry of all pending
and assessed work.
Publicizing the service,
securely providing log
n credentials and
instructing parents how
to use the web site.
Moodle Course
Management System
http://moodle.org/
A Free Phoenix.edu
CMS
Phoenix constituents
are well aware of the
benefits of a Course
Management System
like Phoenix.edu.
Most of those
resources and more are
available without
licensing costs to
schools.
Moodle provides
learning communities
based on Social
Constructivist theories.
Features Phoenix.edu
like Forums, Chat,
online Quizzes, lesson
delivery, RSS push,
Course Calendar and
Wiki publishing
services.
The site should also
contain daily lesson
plans, curriculum and
assignment
information.
Students may
collaborate directly
with peers through chat
and forums, review
lessons, reference
assignment details,
turn in work and take
quizzes online. A
database provides
Materials that teachers
present in class should
also be published
online. Once a course
is set up it may be
reused and modified
year after year.
While some students
have well organized
binders for each class
with all assignment
information, calendar,
worksheets and notes.
Some do not.
Students need to be
Moodle provides
trained in online
Course Management
conduct and how to
services that serve as
use a Forum, take an
an online, well
online quiz, chat, turn organized binder for all
in assignments in the
necessary course
proper format and have
material.
Internet access away
from school.
Like Phoenix.edu,
everything a student
needs for each course
they are enrolled in is
accessible online.
Teacher’s must assume
responsibility to
publish all course
material they use.
Lesson plans should be
uploaded as well as
any content needed to
complete assignments
at home.
Student log in and find
all assignments, due
dates and whatever
material they need to
complete an
assignment.
Complies with the
SCORM online course
standard that can
import and export
courses in a
standardized format.
Requires one
knowledgeable I.T.
person familiar with
servers to set up the
system.
Requires student email
accounts to receive
daily synopsis of
school work and due
dates among other
things.
Each teacher is given a
log in and is
responsible for taking
online training in using
Moodle and placing
classroom content
online along with
assignment dates and
materials that may be
needed.
direct access to files,
links and images of
course content. Wikis
provide easy, quick
web page creation and
publishing so students
may access course
material at any time.
Reflection
Effective middle school teachers have the following characteristics: empathy, flexibility, and perseverance. First, middle school teachers need
to have empathy in order to understand individual learning needs. By having sensitivity, teachers will be able to connect with each student and know
his/her needs. Consequently, the teacher will be able to differentiate instruction based on his/her students’ readiness and interests. Secondly, middle
school teachers must be flexible. New technology is emerging every day and technology is rapidly changing based on societal needs. In order for a
middle school teacher to be strong, he/she must be flexible and willing to adapt to what students are using in their social and emotional lives. In doing
so, the teacher will be able to engage his/her students by bringing in what students are using at home. For instance, if students are using Facebook
and enjoy perusing Facebook, then the teacher could set up a site, like Schoology, because it is set up like Facebook, but for instructional purposes.
Students can create a Facebook page for a character they are reading about or a historical figure. This will allow students to see connections from the
classroom to the real world using a system they enjoy. Lastly, a teacher must have perseverance, which ties in with flexibility because sometimes
technology is going to fail, or it is going to take time to learn how to use the technology. However, if a teacher understands that teaching is a learning
process and we are going to be students at times, the teacher will be stronger. Teachers must continue with the technology, no matter how frustrating
it may be; in doing so, teachers will be able to use systems that will engage the students. For instance, the Turning Key clickers tend to fail or lose
data; however, if the teacher perseveres through the technological problems, this technology will be a helpful resource to gather information to assist
in instructional planning. In having empathy, flexibility, and perseverance, the teacher will strengthen his/her practice and create lessons that are
developmentally appropriate and engaging for all types of learners (Manning and Bucher, 2012).
Effective middle school teachers also need to have an open mind to new ideas. Some teachers that have been teaching for a long time might
be rooted in their curriculum. This is great because they know exactly what their students need, but if they are not willing to try new things they may
never know other ways of teaching that can be even more beneficial to the students. Being open to learning new things is also beneficial because
students today are so technologically plugged in. Teachers that understand student use of technology will not only empathize with their students
more, but also be able to use it as an applicable resource in the classroom.
Bill Kampmeyer writes that “If your only tool is a hammer then every problem you face will look like a nail” (Bill Kampmeyer, 2012). If
teachers are able to adapt to new technology and arm themselves with a whole arsenal of “tools”, then the problems that they may come across can be
dealt with in a more meaningful way.