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So what is Personalized Learning and how is it different from differentiation and meeting the needs of the whole child? The concepts of Personalized Learning - know your learner, provide voice and choice, flexible groups and space, be data informed, and to utilize technology are what I have always known to simply be good teaching. Here is a chart for a quick overview.
Just Right Books and Levels - Our district uses F&P levels to assess student's independent and instructional reading levels. That said, while there are charts that show how F&P levels align to DRA, Lexile, etc....I have found that the only levels I truly trust are those from Fountas and Pinnell. This is an unfortunate truth when looking for books, but there are many resources you can use to help find "Just Right" books for your students. Here are a few that I use in my classroom.
Kids A-Z leveled library allows students to listen, read, take quizzes, and record themselves reading. Teachers have access to data and can give feedback to students. | ABC Mouse is an integrated learning app that is free for school use for teachers. Students begin on a journey and travel on their own pace. Data is limited but teachers can assign lessons to individualize learning. Kids LOVE it and learn! | Epic! is a free app that provides thousands of books. It also provides a "playlist" that is created based on student interests and age range. This is great for independent and guided reading when you are short on printed books. | I love Front Row Ed! Students take a pretest in ELA - Reading Articles and are matched with a Just Right level. The free app includes data and teacher reports which you can use to create strategy mini groups or plan individual conferences. |
In your classroom, you probably have students of all different stages when it comes to their ability to decode or to apply phonics when writing. But how do you manage 25 or 30 different spelling tests or Words Their Way programs and teach a systematic phonics system? To keep sane, I've developed a spelling program that focuses on a vowel pattern or Word Study concept (prefix, suffix, etc.) each week. On Monday, students take a pretest. Students select (voice) 10 words to focus on for the week. If they got any wrong on the pretest, those are highlighted to be one of the 10. Other options are on the bottom and include the pattern extended, high frequency words as well as vocabulary words integrating Science and Social Studies. This helps keep the spelling lists simple and personalized. Students use a spelling menu and the apps below to practice throughout the week. Click here for a freebie preview.
I LOVE Front Row Word Study! It's the app I wanted to build. Imagine a systematic word study program is personalized for each student? Heaven. Try it, it's free! :) | Spellosaur is an app that provides fun games for students to practice their 10 spelling words for the week. There is a freebie and paid version. I use the freebie so they focus on 5 words at a time. | Spelling City is another app that provides fun games for students to practice their spelling words. I use the freebie version but there is a paid version as well. | Click here for a freebie personalized spelling template! Click here for a complete personalized spelling unit! |