Session 4 - Question 1

What are key components in managing a differentiated classroom? How does or will this apply to your classroom setting? Give reasons and page numbers within your blog answer.

Session 4 - Question 2

Assessment is discussed throughout this book, including Chapter 9, “Taming the Assessment Beast”. What will you altered in your classroom or trainings based on your reading of best practices in differentiating for gifted students? Include page numbers within your blog.

Session 4 - Question 3

What were your “Ah-ha” moments while reading Chapters 8-10? Site the page numbers.

Session 3 - Question 1

Chapter 6 describes numerous ways to differentiate using Venn Diagrams. Select a way to use a Venn Diagram that you have not used but are willing to try. Describe how you will implement it into a future lesson or training.

Session 3 - Question 2

Think of several ways in which you might apply the Think-Tac-Toe strategy. How might you apply this strategy in your classroom?

Session 3 - Question 3

What were your “Ah-ha” moments while reading Chapters 6 & 7? Site the page numbers.

Session 2 - Question 1

The topic of chapter 4 is pre-assessment. Which strategy have you not used? How and when will you implement that strategy in your classroom?

Session 2 - Question 2

How does differentating with Bloom's Taxonomy (Chapter 5) relate to the district's Effective Instruction initiative (DDI)?

Session 2 - Question 3

The authors repeatedly refer to "continuous progress," "intential" decisions, and "extend their learning." In your opinion, why are the authors emphasizing these terms? Don't forget to support your answer with page references.

Session 1 - Question 1

What made an impact on you from Chapter 1? Be sure to reference page numbers.

Session 1 - Question 2

The heading of Chapter 2 is "Multiple Ways to Define Academic Success: What Resonates with You?". What is your answer to this question? Site examples from the book as well as any personal insights from your experience. Remember to provide page numbers.

Session 1 - Question 3

What "Aha's" did you experience while reading Chapters 1 - 3? Give page numbers to support your answer.

Summer 2010 - Strategies for Differentiating Instruction

Due to the feedback from participants in the spring 2010 book study, we're conducting a second book study on the same book.

The subject of this GT book study is Strategies for Differenting Instruction by Julia L. Roberts and Tracy Inman. The first 25 SBISD teachers who sign up on PDLC will receive a book for free. Any other SBISD teachers who sign up on PDLC are welcome to participate but must purchase their own books. Teachers outside SBISD who wish to participate are welcome.

You can learn more about the book at the following sites:
Amazon
Prufrock Press

Summer 2010 Book Study

Expectations for the blog:

1st Session - June 10, 2010:
1) Participants need to have the first assigned reading completed BEFORE the first session. Participants who choose to attend the face-to-face session will post their responses to the first set of questions during the session. Those who do not choose to attend the face-to-face session are expected to post their responses by midnight.
2) In addition, all participants are expected to comment on 2 other participants' responses within 48 hours of the first session.

2nd Session - June 24, 2010: (by blog)
By the meeting date, participants must post their responses to the Session 2 questions. Participants must also post at least 2 comments that specifically address fellow participants responses.

3rd Session - July 15, 2010: (by blog)
By the meeting date, participants must post their responses to the Session 2 questions. Participants must also post at least 2 comments that specifically address fellow participants responses.

4th Session - July 29, 2010: (by blog)
By the meeting date, all participants must post their responses to the Session 2 questions. Participants must also post at least 2 comments that specifically address fellow participants responses.


Instruction for the Blog:

• Click on "comments" below the post to which you want to respond.
• Type your comment in the box. If you write a lot, you can use the light gray bar to scroll up and down within the comment box.
• When you finish typing your comment, click on the little black arrow beside "Select profile…"
• Choose "Name/URL" which is near the bottom of your choices.
• In the box under "Name:" type in what you want to be known as in our book study. You can use your first name and last initial or last name and first initial – something that lets us know who you are. (For example, I'd probably call myself LBreedlove or LynetteB.) Leave the URL box blank and click on "Continue".
• You'll notice that whatever you typed in replaced "Select profile…"
• Now click on "Post Comment".
• Another box will pop up for a word verification. This step prevents spam from being posted by computers on blogs. Just the word, or combination of letters, that you are given in the box. Then click "Finish". If you didn't quite get the word/letter right, it will give you a different word.
• It might take a minute or two, but then your comment will be posted. You'll know your comment is posted because you'll get a notice saying it was, and the comment will appear on the page, just below the post.
• Hint: The blog page does not have spell check. In addition, there have been times when the blog page hicupped, losing the response typed in the comment box. To reduce frustration, protect your thoughts, and allow for spell check, we advise that you compose your response in Microsoft Word (or other word processing software) and then paste it into the comment box.

Session 4 - Question 3

What were your “Ah-ha” moments while reading Chapters 8-10? Site the page numbers.

Session 4 - Question 2

Assessment is discussed throughout this book, including Chapter 9, “Taming the Assessment Beast”. What have you altered in your classroom or trainings based on your reading of best practices in differentiating for gifted students? Include page numbers within your blog.

Session 4 - Question 1

What are key components in managing a differentiated classroom? How does this apply to your classroom setting? Give reasons and page numbers within your blog answer.

Session 3 - Question 3

What were your “Ah-ha” moments while reading Chapters 6 & 7? Site the page numbers.

Session 3 - Question 2

Think of several ways in which you might apply the Think-Tac-Toe strategy. How might you apply this strategy in your classroom.

Session 3 - Question 1

Chapter 6 describes numerous ways to differentiate using Venn Diagrams. Select a way to use a Venn Diagram that you have not used but are willing to try. Describe how you will implement it into a future lesson or training.

Session 2 - Question 3

The authors repeatedly refer to "continuous progress," "intential" decisions, and "extend their learning." In your opinion, why are the authors emphasizing these terms? Don't forget to support your answer with page references.

Session 2 - Question 2

How does differentating with Bloom's Taxonomy (Chapter 5) relate to the district's Effective Instruction initiative (DDI)?

Session 2 - Question 1

The topic of chapter 4 is pre-assessment. Which strategy have you not used? How and when will you implement that strategy in your classroom?

Session 1 - Question 3

What “Aha's” did you experience while reading Chapters 1 – 3? Give page numbers to support your answer.

Session 1 - Question 2

The heading of chapter 2 is “Multiple Ways to Define Academic Success: What Resonates with You?”. What is your answer to this question? Site examples from the book as well as any personal insights from your experience. Don't forget to provide page numbers.

Session 1 - Question 1

What made an impact on you from Chapter 1? Be sure to reference page numbers.

Spring Book Study Schedule

Below is the schedule for the Spring GT book study. If you'd like to purchase the book on your own and join us, we'll be happy to add you to the roster for professional development credit.

February 2 - Session 1, Chapters 1 – 3 (pages 1 – 43), discussion & blog
February 24 - Session 2, Chapters 4 - 5 (pages 45 – 82), blog only
March 23 - Session 3, Chapters 6 - 7 (pages 83 – 131), blog only
April 13 - Session 4, Chapters 8 - 10 (pages 133 – 170), blog & discussion, ALSO look over pgs 177 – 254