The use of layered instruction allows every student to:
- Have access to the same content
- Learn at their skill level
- Demonstrate knowledge at their ability level
Primary Skill
Identification of primary skill to be taught.
Brainstorming
- Where would that skill be placed within Bloom’s Taxonomy below?
- What are the expectations of students in regard to the skill?
- Anything below where the skill is placed are where foundational skills can be identified.
- Anything beyond where the skill is place is where extension skills can be identified.
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Remember
Recall facts and basic concepts
Define, duplicate, list, memorize, repeat, state
Understand
Explain ideas of concepts
Classify, describe, discuss, explain, identify, locate, recognize, report, select translate
Apply
Use information in new situations
Execute, implement, solve, use demonstrate, interpret, operate, schedule, sketch
Analyze
Draw connections among ideas
Differentiate, organize, related, compare, contrast, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test
Evaluate
Justify a stand or decision
Appraise, argue, defend, judge, select, support, value, critique, weigh
Create
Produce new or original work
Design, assemble, construct, conjecture, develop, formulate, author, investigate
Instruction
During whole group instruction students can be invited to contribute at their skill level. The teacher can toggle between the various skill levels during their instruction through dialogue and questioning.
Practice
Students can be given an opportunity to practice at their skill level, which can be foundational skills, the primary skill, or extension skills.
Demonstration of Knowledge
Students can demonstrate their knowledge in relationship to telling time to the hour at their ability level.
- Point – Students can identify what is being requested through pointing or gestures (multiple choice).
- Say – Students can identify what is being requested through speaking (multiple choice or open ended questions).
- Do – Student can identify what is being requested through writing, creating, digital format, their actions, drawing, etc. (multiple choice or open ended questions).
Example Data Collection Sheet
| Student | Foundational Skills | Primary Skills | Extension Skills |