Something Different to Try

Adding and Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers Menu Think there is no time for creativity in this time of high-stakes testing? Tired of the same old assignments? Well, so are a lot of your students. This Adding and Subtracting 2-Digit Numbers Menu extends learning and retention through creative activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for all students throu

Combining a variety of math processes, problem solving, social studies facts, and research skills, the American Revolution Number Trail allows students to follow the trail from one word problem to another in order to discover the mystery number at the end of the trail. Each question builds on the answer of the one before it and depends on research skills to be solved. The American Revolution Number Trail is a great way to differentiate for students who have already demonstrated mastery of the t

Fractions Menu Think there is no time for creativity in this time of high-stakes testing? Tired of the same old assignments? Well, so are a lot of your students. This Fractions Menu extends learning and retention through creative activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for ALL students through Pace, Process, and Produc

Multiplication Facts Menu What do you do if some of your students already know their multiplication facts? You encourage them with the Something Different to Try Multiplication Facts Menu! This menu extends basic learning and retention through creative activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for ALL students through Pace, Process, and Product Choice and ca

Looking for a different path for Black History Month or your study of the Civil War? Need a literature circle study or activities for a reading enrichment group or a literacy station? This Something Different to Try menu study is multi-purpose and includes differentiation strategies based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for all students through Pace, Process, and Pr

Tired of the same old assignments? What do you do for those students who already know it? This Money Menu study extends learning and retention through creative activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for all students through Pace, Process, and Product Choice and can be used as an extension for all students or as an alternate assignment for students w

My Alphabet Book about _____________ Template Do you have a student who has already demonstrated mastery of the topic you are studying and needs an extension or Something Different to Try ? Student choice of topics and products is a powerful motivator. My Alphabet Book about __ would be a great way to differentiate the curriculum while reinforcing skills such as the parts of a book, copyright, research, writing, illustrating those Big Ideas, and even digital citizenship. Aimed mainly at the

KINDERGARTEN MATH MENU Sequence, Patterns, Calendar Some students have already mastered the required basic skills when they enter your classroom. Many have not. If those who have mastered are required to repeat the same things over and over in the same ways, their brains shut down, learning

Differentiation Ideas for Early Kindergarten Literacy Stations Some students have already mastered the required basic skills when they enter your classroom. Many have not. If those who have mastered are required to repeat the same things over and over in the same ways, their brains shut down, learning stops, and often behavior issues such as underachievement or rule breaking begin. Here are a few ideas for “bumping up” the curriculum without having to make completely different plans. Giv

Is It Fair? - An Introduction to Document Based Questioning is Something Different to Try when introducing students to document based questioning (DBQ). Or it could be a way to discuss a classroom issue with fairness, multiple perspectives, and kindness to others. Students glean information from analyzing three simple primary sources in order to answer the question “Is it fair for two children to receive equal allowance for unequal amounts of work?” Students practice fact vs. op

Geometry Terms Menu Think there is no time for creativity in this time of high-stakes testing? Tired of the same old assignments? Well, so are a lot of your students. This Geometry Terms Menu extends learning and retention through creative activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for ALL students through Pace, Process, and Product

Princess Portfolio Originally created as an extension for Pre-K and Kindergarten students who love fairy tales, the Princess Portfolio menu encourages higher level thinking at any level for those who have already mastered curriculum and just need Something Different to Try. Parent or student helpers might assist with reading or scribing some of the activities.

Fall of the Alamo Number Trail Combining a variety of math processes, problem solving, social studies facts, and research skills, the Fall of the Alamo Number Trail allows students to follow the trail from one word problem to another in order to discover the mystery number. Each question builds on the answer of the one before it and depends on research skills to be solved. The Fall of the Alamo Number Trail is a perfect way to differentiate for students who have already d

CHICK-KU Science Poetry for You and Your Peeps CHICK-KU is a blending of science, poetry, writing, and syllabication inspired by the book Guyku-A Year of Haiku for Boys by Bob Raczka and Peter H. Reynolds. What a way to assess what students know by using a higher-level thinking format! The 1st page guides them through the writing process with directions and examples. The 2nd sheet is to celebrate their creations. It’s Something Different to Try !

My Monster Truck Counting Book Template Do you have students who know their numbers and need an extension or Something Different to Try ? Student choice of topics and products is a powerful motivator. My Monster Truck Counting Book would be a great way to differentiate curriculum while reinforcing math and language arts skills such as the parts of a book, copyright, research, writing, illustrating those Big Ideas, patterns, math concepts, and even digital citizenship. Aimed mainly at t

PRESIDENTIAL BIOGRAPHY MENU STUDY Here is Something Different to Try for your Presidents’ Day study or your biography unit. This menu study’s higher level thinking skills extend learning and retention through creative activities based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity icons. It allows for differentiation for ALL students through PACE, PROCESS, and PRODUCT CHOICE and can be used as an extension for all

A treasure trove of higher level thinking possibilities, The Westing Game- A Mystery Menu Study takes students deeper into Ellen Raskin’s Newbery Medal winning mystery novel. This independent study encourages students to develop their gifts through choosing activities involving Bloom’s Taxonomy, Creative Productive Thinking, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, and Sandra Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity Icons. It’s Something Different to Try. You

This Dog Menu Study encourages higher level thinking at any level for those who have already mastered curriculum, love dogs and animals, and just need Something Different to Try. Activities are based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Creative Productive Thinking, and Kaplan’s Depth and Complexity Icons. Included are suggestions on identifying good prospects for menu studies.

My Celebration Plan This portfolio study is a differentiated version of the social studies lessons included in Community Units. It can also be used in conjunction with special holiday studies as well. Based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Creative Productive Thinking, it allows for differentiation for all levels or can be used as enrichment for students who have already mastered the material and need Something Different to Try.

My Halloween There is just not enough time to listen to all the stories the morning after Halloween. Students are so excited to tell you what they did, what their costumes were like, things that happened. To settle them down, yet, to honor their need to tell, My Halloween allows them to share while practicing writing main idea and details. Even students who do not celebrate