Terminology - for the differentiated classroom

Curriculum telescoping - is a form of acceleration as students complete several years of the school curriculum in less time than their peers. Note that material is not 'skipped', rather, students move through the program more rapidly by increasing the pace of instruction.

Enrichment - the student's learning pace is faster than that of their cohort. The student's learning is broadened by enrichment activities that are related to the content area.

Extension - leads to deepening of knowledge and a greater understanding. Students are given additional tasks, projects, and research questions and have a variety of ways to present their work such as by publishing it to the Internet and by teaching it to others. Extension activities are more challenging, abstract, have advanced content and are appropriate in difficulty.

There are five levels of giftedness: mild, moderate, high, exceptional and profound.

Differentiation - is where students learn differently and have different needs. It's where there is a commitment to plan for students' differences. It celebrates diversity. Its goal is to maximise student growth and to promote individual student success. It builds academic self esteem.

When planning a teaching unit:

- pre-assess to identify current levels of knowledge and understanding
- base a unit on a concept rather than a topic
- be prepared to modify the content, process and product
- layer tasks to contain at least three levels of teaching and learning experiences-
use higher order questioning strategies
- use creative/divergent thinking strategies
- ensure students have a choice of activities
- students may negotiate aspects of the curriculum
- layered assessments are planned to assess students of different skills and abilities
- students know and accept that other students may be engaged in different tasks within the classroom.
- student work samples are used to evaluate differentiation
- parents are informed of student progress using learning gain measures not just with test scores.

In the differentiated classroom

You will find:

- layered tasks
- creative thinking
- higher order thinking
- differentiated assessment
- at least three levels of appropriate activities
- planned layering
- the needs of all students are met
- acceleration, extension and enrichment

What are the needs of gifted children?

- The mythical "norm" fits very few students.
- There are both emotional and educational needs.
- Gifted children have learning needs that require a special educational program.
- Gifted children need a responsive school environment.
- Gifted learners need careful nurturing, by home, the community and by schools.
- A general education program does not respond adequately to their specialised needs because of the emphasis on teaching basic skills.

Notes on identifying and teaching the gifted and talented child

- gifts will not be translated into talent (high performance) without a facilitative environment.
- with curriculum compacting, a student's program is compacted by removing any content/processes where mastery is demonstrated.
- curriculum differentiation is where we modify the curriculum; adjust the content, processes and the learning environment; and include enrichment and extension activities.

Signs of a gifted student include:

- an increased power of concentration, a long attention span
- an unusually well developed memory
- a large vocabulary
- the student is an independent learner
- is widely informed about many topics
- the student shows good judgement and logical thinking
- the student produces original/unusual products

Providing for the talented learner

* encourage a scientific hobby such as bird watching or gardening - this leads to such learning experiences as scientific classification and increased research skills
* investigate scientific toys - put together a chemistry set, design and construct with technic toys
*provide basic tools - binoculars, camera, magnifying glass
* an ongoing scrabble game
* a puzzle under construction
* a new challenge/problem solving puzzle published in the class daily doings website
* metaphors and abstract nouns - instead of just similes
* metaphysical poetry, such as The Thought Fox by Ted Hughes
* an exhibition space for student's products
* means of publication for the student to self-publish a novel/poetry anthology

Typing Teacher

Try this typing tutor! This is the program in use for 2010 when students have access to the Computer Lab for a double seesion each week, and on a regular basis in the classroom.

SOSE: Transport through the ages

The question on everybody's lips is this:
In Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park" what is the difference between a chaise and a barouche?

Let's look at the types of transport from the year 1AD.

* From 1 to 500
* From 500 to 1000
* From 1000 to 1500
* From 1500 to
* From 1800 to 1850
* From 1850 to 1900
* From 1900 to 1920
* From 1920 to 1950
* From 1950 to 1975
* From 1975 to 2000
* from 2000

Writing Topics - Grade 3-4

New Experiences
Learning to ride a bike
Flying
Making Friends
Moving House

Favourite Things
Being in a sports team
Eating out
Favourite games
Food I like
Friends
Hobbies
Holidays
My cubby
My family
My favourite toy
My pet
Parties
Staying Overnight

Games and Pastimes
Board games
Building a go-kart
Dressing up
Swimming
The cooking experience

Special Days
Christmas Day
First day of school
School Holidays
Dress up day

People in my life
Aunts
Brothers and Sisters
Favourite singers
My best friend
Grandparents
People I Like

Special Places
My bedroom
My trip overseas
My favourite country
Staying a a mote
The most unusual place i have ever been
The museum
My tree house

Good Times
After school
Going fishing
Going on a plane
Horse riding
In my spare time
My biggest success so far

Writing Topics - Grade 4-5

Staying at a friend’s house
A special secret place
When I was upside down
What if we suddenly had to move?
My most embarrassing moment
Talk about being scared!
Do I want to be famous?
Creepy, crawly things
What if I were the teacher?
I’ll never eat another . . .
My biggest surprise
This school really needs . . .
The first day of school is the worst/best.

A pet sitter needs special instructions to care for my pet.
A song that means a lot to me
My best day
A day in the life of my pet
I don't understand why . . .
Dirt bikes and in-line skates
A visit to a friend’s school
What is important to me?
A terrible storm
Me and the outdoors
My first school memories

Writing Topics - Grade 6-8

Here’s what a new student needs to know about my school.
Why weekends should be longer
A narrow escape from trouble
What I’ve broken or lost that belongs to someone else
My first friend
A visit to a relative’s house
My chores
A dedicated teacher or coach
When I was lost
My idea of a fun weekend
A school field trip
I’ve done something no one else has done.

I’m principal for the day. Here’s my schedule of events.
A typical lunch hour
If only I would have listened!
How could TV be better?
My favorite neighbor
My bedroom from top to bottom
A memorable bus ride
My best class ever
My first concert
Finally, a good assembly
If I could be someone else, I would be . . .
The most fun I’ve had recently

Writing Topics - Grade 9-12

My craziest experience in a restaurant or shopping mall
The hardest thing I’ve ever done
My first encounter with a bully
Let’s hear it for my favorite senior citizen.
The toys I’ll never give up
A friend who moved away
I couldn’t believe that my mother volunteered me for that job.
Putting my foot in my mouth
What if school sports were dropped?
Who knows me best?
What do I worry about?
My muscles were so sore after . . .
What do we Australians do well?
“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”

An unforgettable dream
My worst vacation
Coping with brothers and sisters
A typical evening at home
Morning madness
A meaningful gift I’ve given or received
We all make mistakes.
Why do I deserve the job?
My brother (or sister) made me so mad!
Hanging out
Something this school really needs is . . .
I take some things too seriously.
What do I do to break routine?

Language - Poetry

Poems are images in your mind. They let you go beyond the surface and discover your deepest feelings. Here is our class poetry anthology which is incorporated into our reading program and into our weekly homework program.

Learning Outcomes

· Understand and write in different forms of poetry.
· Experiment with words, phrases, ideas and feelings.
· Use different styles of poetry to express themselves.
· Communicate effectively through writing.
· Speak and read poetry with confidence.

Learning Tasks

· Read and analyse poetry.
· Write in poetry form.
· Keep a poetry anthology.
· Listen and participate in reading.

Assessment Tasks

· Book work.
· Class participation.
· Poetry anthology.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 8

1. What techniques are used to show that something important is happening when Gerry and the convict catch Old Plop the turtle?

2. What language are Gerry and his teacher speaking in the bird market?

3. Where did Spiro get the goldfish for Gerry?

4. What does Gerry put into the bath?

5. What is hiding under the table at the dinner party?

6. How does the filmmaker turn the party into chaos?

7. Why is Spiro so sad in the scene on the pier?

8. When the boat sails away is the camera shot from overhead or eye level?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 7

1. What animal is seen escaping in the underwater shot? Draw it.

2. What does Gerry do with the snakes that we would never do?

3. In the book, “My Family and Other Animals”, Gerry speaks in Greek to the islanders. Why do they speak in English (with a Greek accent) in the series?

4. What happens when the Magenpies start talking?

5. What advice does Theo give Mrs. Durrell at the end of this episode?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 6

1. Draw what Gerry finds in his room in the new villa.

2. What type of animals does Gerry’s new teacher have?

3. What sound is heard to tell Gerry’s new teacher that he has to go and see his mother?

4. Where does Gerry think his teacher is going?

5. In what way is the mother’s room different from the room they study in?

6. What is very unusual about the mother?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 5

1. Name three things Gerry sees with his viewing box from his boat?

2. What reaction does Gerry get when he shows Spiro the toads?

3. What type of animal is Cecily?

4. What is hanging on the wall in the kitchen?

5. What effects does the filmmaker use to let you know a battle is taking place in Gerry’s room at night?

6. What camera angle is used to show what animal ate the gecko?

7. When Margo takes the boat across to the island, what music is used to show her mood?

8. Draw five animals that live in Gerry’s room.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 4

1. When they show the fireflies, describe the camera shot – low, high, eye level or overhead shot.

2. What is causing the smell in Gerry’s room?

3. When Gerry splashes water on Margo and Peter while they are kissing, where is the camera?

4. What does Gerry call his new puppies?

5. When the boat is launched, what happens to make Margo upset?

6. Draw Ulysses.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 3

1. In the beginning of episode 3, the Durrell family is in a building with Margo kissing the feet of a mummified saint. How can you tell the scene takes place in a church?

2. When the turtle is seen burying its eggs, is it a close up or a long shot?

3. The Durrell family’s clothes are plain in comparison to those worn by the artists. Why?

4. What lighting is used to show that it is nighttime?

5. Draw the funny thing that makes all of Larry’s guests leave the house.

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 2

1. In episode 2, when they show the rat flea under the microscope, is it a close up shot or a long shot?

2. What effects are used to show romance between Margo and her Turkish boyfriend?

3. Why isn’t it frightening when Mrs. Durrell holds up the knife to Leslie and Larry in the kitchen?

4. What sound effect does Spiro use to get Gerry’s attention when he picks him up from his lesson?

5. What does Gerry wear to his lessons with Theo?

6. What lighting do they use in the cinema when Margo is on her date?

7. Is the movie they are watching in colour or black and white?

8. What is Margo holding in her arms after the movie?

9. How do they show there is no electricity inside the Durrell’s house?

10. List three animal sounds that you hear during this episode.

11. What colour are the eggs of the oil beetle?

Viewing - My Family and Other Animals Episode 1

1. Is this a film, a cartoon or a series?

2. This series can be described as:
- cartoon
- documentary
- true story
- fairy tale.

3. Where is this series set:
- L.A. California
- London, England
- Corfu, Greece
- Sydney, Australia.

4. In the first episode when they show the Rose Beetle Man pulling beetles off his hat, is it done with a close up shot or a long shot?

5. In the scene in the market, what is hanging in front of Spiro’s Mother’s face?

6. What technique is used to show it is time for a commercial?

7. When Achilles the tortoise is eating the strawberry is it a close up or a long shot?

8. When they are looking up at Quasimodo the pigeon flying for the first time, what type of camera shot is it:
- high angle
- low angle
- eye level
- overhead shot.

9. Who is the producer?

10. Who is the director?

11. What date was the series made?