The Layered CurriculumThe Layered Curriculum

Helen PorthHelen PorthLexington Middle SchoolLexington Middle School

Lexington, SCLexington, SChporth@lexington1.nethporth@lexington1.net

So Many Great Ideas,

So Little Class Time

Frustrations in the ClassroomFrustrations in the Classroom

2 Classrooms: 2 Classrooms: ComatoseComatose Bouncing off the ceilingsBouncing off the ceilings

It all sounds good, but it’s not It all sounds good, but it’s not realisticrealistic

What I “should” be doingWhat I “should” be doing Multiple IntelligencesMultiple Intelligences Learning StylesLearning Styles Literacy in the Content AreaLiteracy in the Content Area Bloom’s taxonomyBloom’s taxonomy TechnologyTechnology Prior Knowledge ConnectionsPrior Knowledge Connections Student-led DiscussionsStudent-led Discussions Accommodations for IEP studentsAccommodations for IEP students ESOL StudentsESOL Students Cultural DiversityCultural Diversity

Here Comes Differentiated Here Comes Differentiated InstructionInstruction….….

You want me to You want me to do what?!?!?!?do what?!?!?!?

Layered CurriculumLayered CurriculumA Balancing Act in the ClassroomA Balancing Act in the Classroom

It does not…..It does not…..

take away your teaching styletake away your teaching style

It does….It does….

put the burden back on the studentput the burden back on the student

(The Power of I is a BIG component of this (The Power of I is a BIG component of this curriculum. Student work is not accepted curriculum. Student work is not accepted until it is done correctly.)until it is done correctly.)

What A Unit Looks LikeWhat A Unit Looks Like

LayersLayers Based on BloomsBased on Blooms

AssignmentsAssignments Based on Learning styles/Multiple Based on Learning styles/Multiple

Intelligences/ModalitiesIntelligences/Modalities Point ValuesPoint Values

Based on the number of days/number of Based on the number of days/number of assignmentsassignments

From the student’s perspective:From the student’s perspective: ChoicesChoices

““I just like the fact that we get to choose what we want I just like the fact that we get to choose what we want to do.”to do.”

““I like the part where we don’t have to listen to the I like the part where we don’t have to listen to the teacher talk.”teacher talk.”

EngagementEngagement ““My favorite part about the layered units is that we are My favorite part about the layered units is that we are

able to choose which activity we are more interested in.”able to choose which activity we are more interested in.” ““I like it because we’re doing something different I like it because we’re doing something different

everyday.”everyday.” OrganizationOrganization

““My favorite part of the layered unit was the way we My favorite part of the layered unit was the way we keep everything in folders.”keep everything in folders.”

““My favorite part was the different colors on the sheet.” My favorite part was the different colors on the sheet.”

Examples:Examples:

www.help4teachers.comwww.help4teachers.com Sample UnitsSample Units

Layered Curriculum books/workbooksLayered Curriculum books/workbooks My webpage:My webpage:

https://www.edline.net/pages/Lexington_Mihttps://www.edline.net/pages/Lexington_Middle_School/Classes/21107100-03ddle_School/Classes/21107100-03

AdviceAdvice

Letter to Parents before you startLetter to Parents before you start Work TogetherWork Together

To plan To plan To implement --- split classes for To implement --- split classes for

activitiesactivities Folders/Binders – Folders/Binders – system for keeping up with system for keeping up with

workwork

Grade Book SetupGrade Book Setup Power of IPower of I