Extension Menus

Strategies for Differentiating the Curriculum

Credits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom

Why Choice?

Choice is the one option that meets all students’ needs.

Greater sense of independence Strengthened student focus on

the content Provides students with a desire to

learnCredits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom

What is an Extension Menu?

An extension menu is an array of independent learning activities based on the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (Revised) presented in a ‘choice’ or ‘menu’ format to provide students with options for extending or enriching the essential curriculum.Tic-Tac-ToeList Menu2-5-8 Menu

Sample Tic-Tac-Toe MenuWEATHER EXTENSIONS MENU

Explore the effects of violent weather on people and their surroundings. Include statistics about the short- and long-term costs of such violent episodes.

Investigate the Farmer’s Almanac and other sources for yearly weather predictions over a decade. Draw conclusions about the accuracy of the sources.

Investigate and report on any aspect of weather that interests you. Present your information in a way that other students will learn from.

Research the job of meteorologist and compare it to the same job during the 1970s. Include the percentage of accurate predictions, as well as the changes in data-collection devices.

StudentChoice

Use resources from a Web site to create models of instruments used to predict and read weather signs.

Trace the improvements in devices used to predict catastrophic weather situations from the 1950s to the present.

Investigate the statistics about fatalities from several weather-related types of tragedies. Draw conclusions about the relative danger of each type.

Predict how scientists will control weather 25 years from now.

Description: 8 pre-determined

choices, 1 free All items same weight Same expectations for

completion and effort

Benefits: Flexibility: can cover 1

obj or up to 3 obj 1 Obj: students

complete a column or row, or any three

3 Obj: students need to complete column or row

Friendly design Weighting: equal

Limitations: Few topics Student compromise

Time: Short Time: 1-3 weeks

Sample List MenuDescription: 10 pre-determined

choices with assigned point values 1 free

Choices have different weights

Point criterion = 100%Benefits: Responsibility: student

control: guarantee grade if finish required work

Allows for in-depth study of material; lower pts. reinforce basics for those needing reteaching

Limitations: Few topics PreparationTime: 2 Weeks

Sample 2-5-8 MenuDescription: 8 pre-determined

choices Points are in relation to

Bloom’s levels Students are expected

to earn 10 points for 100%

Benefits: Responsibility: Students

control over grades Guaranteed High level:

Must complete 1 high level activity to reach point goal

Limitations: One topic No Free Choice Higher Level Thinking

Time: Completion in one week

Advantages of Extension Menus

Strategy spans all curricular areas Can target specific learning activities for

an individual student or small group Allows student choice as well as challenge Students’ choices reveal their interests,

abilities and learning styles Promotes higher level thinking skills Encourages the development of

independent thinking

How to Use Menus in the Classroom Use them as enrichment/supplementary

activities Teacher introduces menu/activities at the beginning of unit; Teacher proceeds using other materials, as content is being taught,

students have choices with menus to supplement deeper understanding Builds an immediate use for the content Gifted students investigate concepts mentioned in the unit before the

teacher teaches them

Use menus to drive center or station activities

Centers could be set up with materials needed to complete various projects

Use as mini-lessons Students MUST demonstrate prior knowledge; menus

used as reinforcement

Products

Product list: based on learning style and resource availability in the teacher’s classroom

Explanation of products should be discussed with students

Student contract for $1 budget for project

Credits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom

Assessment

All Purpose Rubric: copied on the back of menu; explain in detail

Self: VERY important: explain the student’s evaluation is also necessary

Student Taught Lesson Rubric Oral Presentation Rubric

Credits/Resources:Laurie E. Wesphaul:Differentiating Instruction with MenusSusan Weinbrenner:Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom

Why use Extension Menus? Enrich or extend the essential

curriculum Challenge the abilities of highly able

students Provide alternative activities that

address the differing abilities, interests, or learning styles of students

Allow choice

TASK:

Using “Quarter at a Glance”: As a content team (ELA, Math, Science,

Social Studies), create a menu for use across the grade level for diverse learners

Each team will present their menu including form of assessment

As an individual, choose a menu type (different from team) and create a menu for use during this 9 weeks for publication in the Brill Staff folder

3-2-1

Write:3: Key Ideas

2: Things I enjoyed or benefited from

1: Question, Request, or Implementation Idea