(Shahidah Muhammad)

(shahidahmuhammad.weebly.com)
EDU-225
(March 4, 2016)

Raft Card Example:

ROLE (student)
Row 1

AUDIENCE

FORMAT

TOPIC

A DJ of a science

Your favorite

An informative

Have you ever

radio station

radio station

podcast report

wondered what a

listeners

drop of water feels

like as it travels
through the water
cycle?

Objective:
You will be able to describe how a drop of water travels through the steps of the water cycle.
Student Role:
A DJ of a science radio station
Audience:
Your favorite radio station listeners
Format:
An informative podcast report
Topic:
Have you ever wondered what a drop of water feels like as it travels through the water cycle?

Directions:

1. Visit The Water Cycle: A Guide for Students to learn more about the water cycle.
2. Use a storyboard worksheet to map out your script.
3. Type your script so it is easy to read.
4. Practice reading your script aloud until you feel you can read it fluently and with
expression.
5. Create a Voki at Voki.com. Build a suitable avatar for this project.
6. Read and record your script as the Vokis voice.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
Water Cycle Diagram
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/watercycle/
Water Education
http://www.watereducation.utah.gov/watercycle/water_cycle.asp
The Hydrological Cycle
http://www.sciencecourseware.com/eec/GlobalWarming/Tutorials/HydrologicalCycle/
The Water Cycle
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/ecosystems/water-cycle.htm
The Global Hydrological Cycle
http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire/content/chp58/5802001.html
Assessment:
Prepare a 1-minute script for a radio segment to explain how a drop of water travels through the
steps of the water cycle.
You will receive up to 25 points for each of the following: written script, storyboard, Voki, and
recorded script.

Raft Card 1:
ROLE (student)
A Meteorologist

Row 1

AUDIENCE
Class

FORMAT
Informational

TOPIC
Lets predict the
weather

Objective: Students will be able to observe, measure and communicate weather data to see
patterns in the weather
Student Role: Meteorologist
Audience: Students from Earth Science
Format:

Informational weather report

Topic: Lets predict the weather

Directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Learn the different types of weather

Observe the weather, look out the window at the sky. What do you see?
Create a weather journal based on your prediction
Compare and Contrast your predictions
How was your forecast prediction similar to the meteorologist in your state?
Create a weekly weather chart

Resources:
Websites to visit:
Whats the weather?

http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu
Weather watchers
http://teacher.scholastic.com
Today Temperature
www.thinkearth.org
Assessment: You will name and describe the different types of weather. You will make a
prediction of the weather for tomorrow. Record your prediction. You will watch the local
weather channel and compare similarities in your foremost.

Content Standard: S1E1 student will observe, measure and communicate weather data to see
patterns in weather and climate.

Raft Card 2:

Row 2

ROLE (student)
Journalist

AUDIENCE
Self

FORMAT
Journal Entry

TOPIC
Lets talk about
the weather

Objective: Student will be able to describe the different types of weather and how it make
them feel.
Student Role: Journalist
Audience:

Self

Format:

Journal

Topic: Lets write about the our weather

Directions:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Observe the different types of weather

Observe the different types of emotions you have experienced
Open the blinds to observe the weather
Write in your journal, how the weather make you feel

Resources:
Today Temperature
www.thinkearth.org
Online Journal
www.penzu.com
How to write about your feelings
www.ehow.com

Assessment:

You will write a paragraph in their journal based on how the weather make them feel.
You will receive 25 points for journal entry and writing in complete sentences.

Raft Card 3:

Row 3

ROLE (student)
Artist

AUDIENCE
Parents

FORMAT
Drawing

TOPIC
Lets dress for the
weather today

Objective: Students will draw a picture of the weather. Students will draw a picture of
clothes you should wear during the weather.
Student Role: Artist
Audience: Parents
Format:

Drawing

Topic: Lets dress for the weather

Directions:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Observe the weather

Draw a picture of the weather for today
Draw a picture of clothing you will wear during the weather
Use crayons and markers to make illustration engaging

Resources:
Today Temperature
www.thinkearth.org
Daily Dress Me-Simple weather forecast with clothing
www.dressme.com
Draw the weather
www.alkidsnetwork.com

Assessment: You will draw a picture of today weather. Compare your similarities and
differences. You will receive 25 points for illustration

Entry 3: Differentiating Instruction through Technology

Introduction
Technology can be used to differentiate instruction in varies ways. A teacher should utilize
a variety of resources in the classroom to keep students engaged and actively participating
in the learning process. Teachers should have a variety of tools and techniques to reach
connect with all students regardless of what of learner they are. Every student is different,
therefore they learn at different rates. Implementing differentiating Instruction through
technology help each student succeed.
Technology to Differentiate Instruction
(Dragon Dictation) Teachers a can use the dictation app to differentiate instruction in the
classroom. The dictation app allow students to transcribe, save information, send and post
information to social media. Students can see text messaging immediately after speaking.
Dragon Dictation can provide assistance to all students of different languages. If Spanish is a
student native language, a student can speak answers in Spanish and Dragon Dictation will
transcribe information to English or other languages. Students can speak their ideas for projects
and paper. The dictation app will save their text and add their verbal contribution to the project
by collaborating on the post. Dragon Dictation has an impact on student achievement because all
students can feel confident in participating in assignment and not shy away because of their
foreign language. This tool is student centered, students are able to work on their own and not
rely on teachers as much.

(Gummi) Gummi is an innovative game based on the math learning system that is based on
individuals learning needs. Students are able to solve basic mathematical equations that is
generated just for them and their individual development. Gummi looks like a game with
bright colors and attractions, but its a math tutor. Gummi is a learning experience that is
engaging and interactive. It bring students to a world of educational 3D, where students are
eager to learn. The math problems are tailored to individuals needs of students.
Mathematical concepts are presented in many different ways. Through Gummi students
are can explore and learn mathematical concepts in whatever order they want.The impact
that Gummi have on student achievement is every student is able to work at his or her own
pace and learn concepts out of sequential order. This tool is student centered because
students are able to work independently.
(No Red Ink)
No Red Ink is a web based learning site that help students improve their grammar and
writing skills. The website is able to make sentences using students favorite characters,
celebrities, friends, hobbies and television shows to make learning fun and exciting. No Red
Ink provide different instructive questions based on what students get right or wrong. This
site provides assignments and quizzes that are individually generated to meet each student
needs. Teachers are able to track students progress and monitor their success. The impact
that No Red Ink have on student achievement is every student is able to learn grammar
and writing skills using familiar things or people. This tool is student centered because
students are able to work on their own.

Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons when using technology to differentiate instruction. The pros are students
will be more engaged and involved through the use of technology, students are able to work in
groups or individually to complete assigned task. With differentiating instruction students are
taught according to their learning style, its flexible, students can learn at their own pace and
each student will have an individualized learning plan that is created just for them to be
successful. Many students are able to learn information at their own pace. It monitor how each
student learn so everyone can complete the lesson, but in different styles. Each student have an
individual learning plan. The cons are student will rely solely on the use of technology. The
students will be lost throughout the duration of class because may not be able to grasp the
content as fast as others. Students will eventually give up because they have falling behind or
became overwhelmed with the material that is being presented to them. The classroom may
become a distraction for students who is not used to working independently. It creates more work
for teachers having to differentiate assignments per students. There is no set schedule to follow,
therefore time management must be in place. Students that work slower can prevent the class
from moving on.

Concluding Paragraph
Technology is used to create lessons for each student individual learning level. Because each
student learn differently and at different rates we must accommodate our lessons to support each
student. Using differentiating instruction through the use of technology allow students to work

independently and at their own pace to complete assignments. Through technology we can meet
the names of every student and help them be successful.

References:
Using instructional Routines to Differentiate Instruction: Kosanovich, Marcia 2012
To Differentiate or Nor Differentiate Aries Cobb. Pages 37-25 2010. Vol 29