Differentiating
Instruction
Meeting the Needs
of
First Graders
in Math
Laura Meegan
University of New England
What is
differentiated instruction?
Differentiated instruction...
is a more effective way to meet the needs
of every student than a “one size fits all”
approach
is dynamic as the teacher adjusts the
match between the learner and the
learning
recognizes that children learn in different
ways, at different rates
acknowledges that children bring
different backgrounds and different levels
of understanding to their learning at any
given time
How do we begin to
differentiate?
First, we need to know what we want our
students to know. (As Steven Covey said, “Begin with the end in
mind.”)
Next, we need to know where our students
are in their current level of understanding.
Then, we need to determine how we’re going
to move our students along the learning
continuum in order to help them get where
they need to go.
Always, we must be mindful of
each student’s :
* learning readiness
* level of interest
* preferred learning style or intelligence
(based on Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences)
Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences (cont.)
All students are entitled to instruction that meets their
needs, not just those fortunate enough to be in the
middle.
Jennifer Taylor-Cox, Differentiating in Number & Operations (Heinemann, 2008)
In order to differentiate instruction,
you have to know where you’re
going...
Know your grade level expectations.
Consider your district’s curriculum
requirements.
Look at the Common Core State
Standards.
The Common Core State Standards for
Grade One Mathematics are…
Common Core State Standards for Grade One Mathematics
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
1.OA
Represent and solve problems involving addition and subtraction.
1 . Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together,
taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for
the unknown number to represent the problem.
2. Solve word problems that call for addition of three whole numbers whose sum is less than or equal to 20, e.g., by using
objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem
Understand and apply properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
3. Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtract.3 Examples: If 8 + 3 = 11 is known, then 3 + 8 = 11 is also
known. (Commutative property of addition.) To add 2 + 6 + 4, the second two numbers can be added to make a ten, so 2 + 6 +
4 = 2 + 10 = 12. (Associative property of addition).
4. Understand subtraction as an unknown-addend problem. For example, subtract 10 – 8 by finding the number that makes
10 when added to 8.
Common Core State Standards for Grade One Mathematics
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
1.OA (cont.)
Add and subtract within 20.
5.Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2)
6.Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10. Use strategies such as
counting on; making ten (e.g., 8 + 6 = 8 + 2 + 4 = 10 + 4 = 14); decomposing a number leading to a ten (e.g., 13 – 4 = 13 –
3
– 1 = 10 – 1 = 9); using the relationship between addition and subtraction (e.g., knowing that 8 + 4 = 12, one knows 12 – 8
= 4); and creating equivalent but easier or known sums (e.g., adding 6 + 7 by creating the known equivalent 6 + 6 + 1 = 12
+ 1 = 13).
Work with addition and subtraction equations.
7.Understand the meaning of the equal sign, and determine if equations involving addition and subtraction are true or
false. For example, which of the following equations are true and which are false? 6 = 6, 7 = 8 – 1, 5 + 2 = 2 + 5, 4 + 1 = 5
+
2.
8. Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers. For
example, determine the unknown number that makes the equation true in each of the equations 8 + ? = 11, 5 = – 3,
6+6=.
Common Core State Standards for Grade One Mathematics
Number and Operations in Base Ten 1.NBT
Extend the counting sequence.
1.Count to 120, starting at any number less than 120. In this range, read and write numerals and represent
number of objects with a written numeral.
Understand place value.
2.Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. Understand
the following as special cases:
a. 10 can be thought of as a bundle of ten ones - called a “ten.”
b. The numbers from 11 to 19 are composed of a ten and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or
nine ones.
c. The numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 refer to one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine
tens (and 0 ones)
3. Compare two two-digit numbers based on meanings of the tens and ones digits, recording the results of
comparisons with the symbols >, =, and <.Use place value understanding and properties of operations to add and
subtract.
4.Add within 100, including adding a two-digit number and a one-digit number, and adding a two-digit
number and a multiple of 10, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value,
properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a
written method and explain the reasoning used. Understand that in adding two-digit numbers, one adds tens
and tens, ones and ones; and sometimes it is necessary to compose a ten
5.Given a two-digit number, mentally find 10 more or 10 less than the number, without having to count;
explain the reasoning used.
6. Subtract multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 from multiples of 10 in the range
10-90 (positive or zero differences), using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value,
properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to
a written method and explain the reasoning used.
Common Core State Standards for Grade One Mathematics
Measurement and Data 1.MD
Measure lengths indirectly and by iterating length units.
1. Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.
2. Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end;
understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps. Limit to
contexts where the object being measured is spanned by a whole number of length units with no gaps or overlaps.
Tell and write time.
3.
Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks.
Represent and interpret data.
4. Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how
many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another.
Common Core State Standards for Grade One Mathematics
Geometry
1.G
Reason with shapes and their attributes.
1. Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation,
overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes.
2. Compose two-dimensional shapes (rectangles, squares, trapezoids, triangles, half-circles, and quarter-circles) or three-dimensional
shapes (cubes, right rectangular prisms, right circular cones, and right circular cylinders) to create a composite shape, and compose new
shapes from the composite shape.4
3. Partition circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares, describe the shares using the words halves, fourths, and quarters, and use
the phrases half of, fourth of, and quarter of. Describe the whole as two of, or four of the shares. Understand for these examples that
decomposing into more equal shares creates smaller shares.
Individual Student Profiles show grade level expectations for the
trimester.
North Attleborough Public Schools
Individual Student Profile - Grade One
North Attleborough Public Schools
Individual Student Profile for Math - Grade One (cont.)
What assessments could be used
to determine what my students
already know and what they are
ready to learn next?
Math Their Way assessments
(Mary Baratta-Lorton, 1976)
Everyday Math assessments (Bell, Bell, & Bell, 2007)
Anecdotal observations
(These are just a few possibilities.)
Mathematics Their Way Assessments (Baratta-Lorton, 1976) address
three areas: pre-number concepts and skills, number operations, and
place value. These assessments give the teacher data showing a
student’s developing understanding of mathematics and include the
following:
Rote counting
One-to-one correspondence when counting objects
Instant recognition of groups of objects (subitizing)
Conservation of number
Counting backwards
Estimation of quantities
Numeral recognition
Numeral writing
Simple addition and subtraction (concrete, connecting, and
abstract levels)
Building large numbers with manipulatives (using a place value
board)
I know my goals. I know where the students are
in their current level of understanding. How do I
give them what they need right now and still
move them forward?
One option...
Math work stations...
... are activities that children can do alone, with a partner, or
in a small group. Sometimes, students may choose where they
would like to go. Other times, the teacher directs a student to
a specific activity for targeted practice in an area where the
child has shown difficulty or confusion.
While the students are working independently at their math work
stations, the teacher is free to meet with a small group of children for
targeted instruction or to check in with individuals for a quick, informal
assessment.
For children who are ready to move
beyond the current level of instruction,
consideration can be given to compacting
the curriculum.
Students who already know and understand
the content being taught can be presented
with information that is a better match for
their level of readiness to learn.
Carol Ann Tomlinson explains, “Students
who are compacting are exempt from
whole-class instruction and activities in
content areas they have already mastered,
thus “buying time” for learning more
challenging and interesting material”
(2001, p. 75).
Compacting generally occurs in three stages:
Stage 1: Identifying and assessing the student.
Stage 2. Using assessment data to create a plan
that lays out what the student will learn, and
how.
Stage 3. As the student works, assessment
continues in order to evaluate progress and
make necessary adjustments to the plan.
Advanced learners gain little by continuing to relearn the known, but they gain much from the
expectation that they will continually engage in challenging and productive learning in school.
(Tomlinson, 2001, p. 75)
Tiered activities are another way to provide differentiated
instruction to students.
In first grade, math activities can be tiered in several
ways. When first learning a new concept, some
students may need to use manipulatives without
connecting numerical symbols to their work.
As their understanding grows, the use of
manipulatives continues with numerical symbols
connecting the abstract to the concrete.
When students are ready, they show the ability to work on
an abstract level and no longer need manipulatives for
support, relying solely on symbols (numbers) to represent
their thinking.
How to plan for
differentiated instruction?
Planning sheets allow teachers to keep track of whole group and small group
instruction as well as work station activities.
Materials and ideas for math work
stations are readily available from...
Your local dollar store
Dr. Nicki’s Guided Math Blog
Lakeshore Learning
Your math curriculum guide
online resources
...just to name a few.
References
Baratta-Lorton, M. (1976). Mathematics their way. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley.
Bell, J., Bell, M., & Bell, M. (2007). Everyday mathematics: Teacher\'s reference manual (gr. 1-3). Wright
Group/McGraw Hill.
Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York, NY: Simon
Diller, D. (2010). Math work stations, independent learning you can count on, k-2. Portland, ME: Stenhouse
Pub.
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books, Inc.
Lakshore Learning. (2013). Elementary catalog. Carson, CA: Retrieved from http://www.lakeshorelearning.com
Newton, N. (2010, 01). [Web log message]. Retrieved from
http://guidedmath.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/math-workstations-component-1/
Taylor-Cox, J. (2008). Differentiating in number & operations. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Tomlinson, C. A. (2001). How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms. (2 ed.). Association for
Supervision & Curriculum Development.
In a differentiated classroom, the teacher proactively plans and
carries out varied approaches to content, process, and product in
anticipation of and response to student differences in readiness,
interest, and learning needs.
(Tomlinson, 2001, p. 7)
In the end, all learners need your energy, your heart, and your
mind. They have that in common because they are young humans.
How they need you, however, differs. Unless we understand and
respond to those differences, we fail many learners.
(Tomlinson, 2001, p. 15)
Thank you for watching!