Differentiated Landform Assignment

In third grade students learn about landforms as part of their geography study.  Differentiation must be integrated into every lesson activity and assignment we create in order for every child to have access to the material and learn in the way that best suits them.  In order to know which learning modalities to address, we must consistently assess our students and know their needs. 

The following learning styles are addressed in this assignment:

Visual Learners:

·         PowerPoint Presentation

·         Pictures and Videos on Web Quest

·         Painting or Drawing a Picture of Landform

Social Learners:

·         Working with Partner on Web Quest

·         Group Discussion

Auditory Learners:

·         Music and Videos on Web Quest

·         Videos or Musical presentation

            Kinesthetic Learners:

·         Sculpting Landform out of clay or playdough

·         Performing or acting out landform

Solitary Learners:

·         Working Independently on landform

Linguistic Learners

·         Repeating landform names during PowerPoint

·         Discussion

To introduce the learning activity, students will view a PowerPoint presentation which will show various pictures of landforms.  Students will repeat the names of the landforms multiple times throughout the presentation.  The PowerPoint will be especially beneficial for visual learners who prefer using pictures and images to better understand what they are learning. 

Next students will perform a landform web quest on the computer with a partner.  After providing modeling of the activity, students will begin navigating the website, completing a corresponding graphic organizer, and watching short landform videos.  This activity will be beneficial for both social learners who prefer to learn with other people and auditory learners who prefer sound.  Students will be cooperatively learning with a partner in this activity. The website is interactive and includes music and sounds in both the videos and other areas of the website.

Students will be tasked with choosing a landform to create and present to the class.  They can draw, paint, or sculpt their landform out of playdough or clay as well as create a Prezi, video, or present a poem, speech, or dramatic acting.  Based on their learning preference, students can choose their preferred way to present their knowledge.  A kinesthetic learner will choose to sculpt a landform out of clay or playdough because they prefer using their hands while a visual learner will prefer to paint a picture of their landform.  A solitary learner will benefit from working on their own while reflecting on their learning throughout the task.

After the students have all presented their landforms, they will be asked to think about their favorite landform which incorporates critical thinking skills.  Students will get a chance to discuss their favorite landforms with their table groups.  They will be asked to share their favorite landform, why it is their favorite, and one interesting fact about it. Allowing group discussion will benefit linguistic learners who favor verbal learning through speech. This reflection helps to reinforce the information in their memory and learn from other students by hearing their reflections.

All students will be assessed using the following rubric:

Teacher Name: Mrs. Jensen Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Web Quest	Student works well with partner to complete the entire graphic organizer with accurate information. Student watches 4 or more landform videos.	Student works well with partner to complete most of the graphic organizer with accurate information. Student watches 3 landform videos.	Student works with partner to complete some of the graphic organizer. Information may be missing or inaccurate. Student watches 2 landform videos.	Students works to complete part of the graphic organizer. Information is missing and/or inaccurate. Students watches 1 landform video.
Landform	Student creates a project that accurately depicts their chosen landform and provides a detailed definition and information.	Student creates a project that accurately depicts their chosen landform and provides a detailed definition.	Student creates a project that depicts their chosen landform and provides a definition.	Student creates a project that does not accurately depict their chosen landform and does not provide a definition or any information.
Presentation	Student presents their landform to the class in a clear voice and gives detailed information and facts.	Student presents their landform to the class in a clear voice and gives some information and facts.	Student presents their landform to the class and gives limited information and facts.	Student presents their landform and provides little information and facts.