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Plugged In with a Purpose: Differentiating Math Through Technology

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In my recent second grade math unit on money, I intentionally wove in technology tools to enrich student learning, differentiate instruction, and broaden cultural perspectives. Each tech tool was selected not just for its digital flair but for its ability to engage diverse learners and promote global thinking. Day 1: Coins and Their Values I kicked off the unit using the SMART Board Coin Tool to demonstrate coin sorting with interactive visuals. Students physically moved digital coins into categories, creating an engaging, hands-on experience. I followed this with Quizizz, a self-paced quiz game that allowed students to match coins with their values and receive instant feedback. I enabled read-aloud features for students with special needs, and I monitored scores live to adjust support. According to Sharma (2023), tools like Quizizz help students feel comfortable taking risks and learning through play. To build global awareness, we explored images of coins from different countries and...
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Plugged in to Every Learner: A Map Lesson Designed with Purpose

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Reflecting on My Differentiated Lesson Plan Designing a lesson around South Carolina's science standard ESS2-2 gave me the opportunity to implement instructional strategies that genuinely supported the diverse needs of the second grade class I observed. The goal was to help students understand how maps represent Earth's features, particularly the locations of water. I intentionally structured the lesson using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and considered every aspect of student readiness, learning preferences, and areas of need. Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners When planning this lesson, I first examined the students’ interests and strengths using a learning style inventory and observation data. The class includes a mix of learners: two students with IEPs, four identified as gifted, and several needing behavior redirection. For whole-group instruction, I used engaging tools like Google Earth and a video clip to spark curiosity. The anchor char...
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Student Voice, Student Style: Planning With Purpose

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Interconnection of Learning Styles and Development In today’s classroom, one-size-fits-all instruction doesn’t meet the needs of every learner. This week, I took a closer look at the results of a K-2 learning style inventory that I administered to a small group of second grade students I’ve been observing. By using their responses, I was able to create a visual chart to better understand their learning preferences. The results revealed not only how each student prefers to learn, but also offered insight into how their learning styles are connected to their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. As shown in the table below, each student responded with varying degrees of "yes" answers indicating preference or alignment with kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning styles: Tiana scored highest in kinesthetic and visual styles (4 "yes" responses each) and moderate in auditory (2 "yes"). Dillon leaned evenly across the board with lower kinest...
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Reaching Every Learner: Classroom Technology That Makes a Difference

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Differentiation is more than a teaching strategy. It’s a mindset that helps educators meet students where they are and guide them forward. Technology can help us make learning more inclusive and responsive to different needs. In this post, I’m sharing four powerful tools: DreamBox, Canva, SMART Board, and Quizizz . These tools support personalized learning and make instruction more engaging for all students. Each tool offers unique benefits that align with student needs, learning preferences, and instructional goals. 1. DreamBox Learning   DreamBox is an adaptive online math program that adjusts in real time based on how students approach problems, not just whether they get the answer right. It helps identify learning gaps and provides scaffolding to support students at different levels (Smith, 2023). This platform helps students progress at their own pace, which is essential for differentiation. Ease of Use: Student-friendly with simple navigation Practicality: ...
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