CSEL SCIENCE
Differentiation
(middle school)
Varied Scaffolding in Student Packets
Description of key features:
A
Group 1 student packets include embedded visual and linguistic supports like labeled images, defining words in context, and defining words in the margins.
B
Group 1 student packets include supports to help students respond to questions/writing prompts and communicate their ideas. In the example above, sentence frames and a word bank are provided.
C
Group 2 student packets include the same core content/activities and embedded visual and linguistic supports, like labeled images, defining words in context, and defining words in the margins.
D
Group 2 student packets have fewer supports related to student responses. For example, the Group 2 version of the activity shown above does not include sentence frames or word banks.
The images below show part of an activity from Session 5.2: Feel the Energy – The Science of Roller Coasters in two versions of the student packet. Both versions include the same core content and activity, while the Group 1 version includes additional supports for student responses. Numbered circles in the images highlight key features that are explained below
Group 1 Version of Student Packet
Group 2 Version of Student Packet
Extension Activity
Description of key features:
A
Extension activities are available for students who complete session activities earlier than their classmates and/or for extra credit. This extension activity is a crossword puzzle that features key vocabulary words.
B
A word bank is provided to support students in completing the crossword puzzle.
C
The crossword puzzle clues are definitions for key vocabulary words in the session. Students must determine which word matches the definition clue and place the word in the corresponding area of the puzzle.
The image below shows an extension activity from the Kinetic and Potential Energy module. This extension activity is a crossword puzzle that features key vocabulary words from the first two sessions of the module. Numbered circles in the image highlight key features that are explained below.
