An activity to explore and practice adaptive dimensions in the classroom.
Meet Suzy, she is in grade 7 and one of many students that I already have in my pocket!
| Gifts & Strengths | Interests | Challenges | Learning Preferences | Hopes & Goals |
| -art, observant -synthetics (good with metaphors) -relational | – draw -sketch -cosplay -friends | -struggles to stay on task -family trauma -coming to school (a lot of absents, doesn’t like school) | -pair/small group – small quick tasks -verbalizing ideas (tell what you know) | -wants to make cosplay costumes or design them -comic book artist |
Observations: Suzy struggles to start tasks, especially when it is something that she is not interested in; she will avoid doing the activity by using various reasons to get her out of class (bathroom, community room, phone, office, etc.). Then staying on task once she does start, especially when working independently. However, when she is able to work with a partner or in small groups she is much more productive. During discussions she seems more engaged while being able to verbally express her thoughts and ideas. She loves to draw and is knowledgeable in a lot of different ways. She is kind and respectful to her peers and teachers.
Differentiated Learning: Adaptive Dimensions in Practice (adapting the variables so Suzy can learn):
| Learning Environment (the where) | Instruction (the how) | Resources (the what) | Assessment (show what you know) |
| -work somewhere outside of the classroom (community room, hallway) -get rid of unnecessary distractions -allow her to move somewhere else in the room to work -calm lighting, faint music | -quick, focused, mini-lessons, focus on 1 concept/topic -frequent breaks, brain breaks -role play -concept mapping -cooperative learning sketch-notes while listening -jigsaw activities | -relatable task/instruction -vary resources to keep her interested and engaged (videos, examples, discussion, etc.) -use manipulatives – use computers | -art projects -turn and talk -pair and share -show what you know (own way, choice) -think-pair-share -mind-mapping, (anything visual) |
Your pockets will be full very quickly but there’s always room for one more. 🙂