Choice Boards: Differentiate Instruction for Student Agency

Choice boards are powerful tools for teachers to personalize learning. Here's what you need to know:

• What: Grids of activities letting students choose how to demonstrate learning
• Why: Caters to diverse learning styles, boosts engagement, helps all students succeed
• Types: Grid (3x3), checklist, playlist
• Benefits: Time-saving, increases student engagement, accommodates different learning styles
• Implementation: Set clear goals, mix activities, use visuals, go digital
• Challenges: Classroom management, matching tasks to student levels, time management

Quick comparison of choice board types:

Type	Format	Best For
Grid	3x3 square	Variety of options
Checklist	List of tasks	Clear progression
Playlist	Point-based tasks	Differentiated difficulty

Choice boards solve common teaching problems by saving time, engaging students, and catering to diverse needs. They're versatile tools for both in-class and remote learning.

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Problems with Tailoring Lessons

Teachers want to help every student learn. But it's not easy. Here's why:

Not Enough Time and Tools

Teachers are BUSY. They have tons to do and not much time. Making different lessons for each kid? That takes forever. And schools often don't have the right stuff to help.

A Fordham Institute report found 83% of U.S. teachers say tailoring lessons is tough. They don't have enough:

• Time to plan
• Resources
• Training

Students' Different Needs

Every class has a mix of learners. Some read fast, others slow. Some get math quickly, others need more help. Teaching them all at once? It's a challenge.

"If we don't differentiate, no one is going to learn anything, except the swath of kids that happen to hit the middle." - Rachel Lynette, former gifted education teacher

Keeping Students Interested

Use the same method for everyone? Some kids get bored. Others feel lost. It's hard to keep all students engaged when they're all different.

Balancing Rules and Choices

Teachers need order in class. But they also want to give students choices. It's a tough balance. Too much freedom? Chaos. Too little? Boredom.

Challenge	Impact
No time	Less personal teaching
Few resources	Limited ways to teach
Different student needs	Hard to reach all learners
Keeping interest	Kids might get bored or frustrated
Managing the class	Struggle between structure and flexibility

These problems make tailoring lessons hard. But there are solutions. Choice boards are one way to help. We'll look at those next.

2. Using Choice Boards as a Solution

Choice boards are a smart fix for the problems we talked about earlier. Here's how they work:

2.1 Types of Choice Boards

There's not just one flavor of choice board:

• Grid (3x3): Do the middle task, pick two more. Tic-tac-toe style.
• Checklist: Check off one task from each group.
• Playlist: Earn points by tackling tasks of varying difficulty.

2.2 Why Choice Boards Work

Choice boards are problem-solvers:

1. Time-savers: One board instead of multiple lessons.

2. Student engagement: Kids pick what they like.

3. Learning style friendly: Visual learners? Picture tasks. Hands-on learners? Interactive activities.

4. Structure meets freedom: Keeps the class on track while giving students choices.

2.3 Crafting Effective Choice Boards

To make a choice board that hits the mark:

1. Nail down your main goal. What's the key takeaway?

2. Mix up the activities. Writing, drawing, you name it.

3. Use visuals. Makes the board less intimidating.

4. Go digital. Google Slides lets you add videos and sounds easily.

2.4 Implementing Choice Boards

Bringing choice boards to life:

1. Walk students through it. Show them how to pick tasks.

2. Set clear expectations. How many tasks? When are they due?

3. Be ready to lend a hand. Some kids might need extra guidance.

2.5 Tailoring Lessons with Choice Boards

Choice boards are natural differentiators:

• Create three versions: advanced, regular, and extra support.
• Use colors to indicate task difficulty.
• Include tasks for all subjects. Perfect for language classes to cover all skills.

2.6 Assessing Learning with Choice Boards

Grading doesn't have to be a headache:

• Use rubrics for fair grading.
• Provide feedback as students work.
• Let students showcase their learning in various ways.

Choice boards aren't just a fad. They're problem-solvers that help teachers manage time, keep students engaged, and cater to different learning needs. Plus, they give students a voice in their learning journey.

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3. Dealing with Possible Problems

Choice boards can be tricky. Here's how to tackle common issues:

3.1 Keeping the Class in Order

Choice boards can make classrooms noisy. Try these:

• Use a timer for quiet periods
• Give students color cards to signal needs silently
• Have extra work for quick finishers

"My classroom's a mix. Some kids work alone, others in groups. Some use tech, others prefer paper. This variety helps manage the flow." - A teacher

3.2 Making Sure Work Fits Each Student

Match tasks to student levels:

• Color-code task difficulty (green = easy, yellow = medium, pink = hard)
• Check on stuck students often
• Let struggling students do fewer tasks

"Don't give up if it doesn't work the first time." - Darcy, Teacher

3.3 Managing Time Well

Time management is key:

• Practice using choice boards in class first
• Set clear time limits for tasks
• Teach students to plan their work order

Tip	Why It Helps
Clear deadlines	Keeps students on track
Visual timers	Helps with pacing
Regular check-ins	Allows quick support

4. Wrap-up

4.1 Main Benefits

Choice boards pack a punch when it comes to tailored teaching. Here's why:

• Kids get to pick what they like, so they're more into it
• Students learn to make choices and judge their own work
• Teachers can mix it up for different learners
• No rush - students work at their own speed
• Quick and easy way to check if kids get it

4.2 Try Choice Boards

Want to give choice boards a go? Here's how:

1. Keep it simple

Grab a free template online and make your first board. No need to reinvent the wheel.

2. Match your goals

Your board should fit what you're teaching. For example:

Board Type	What It's For	Example
Curriculum-based	Hit those standards	Climate change activities
Skill-focused	Zero in on specific abilities	Reading tasks
Topic-deep dive	Explore one subject	Ancient Egypt projects

3. Show them the ropes

Teach your students how to use the boards in class before they take them home.

4. Team up

Work with other teachers to create boards for your grade or school.

5. Ask the experts (your students)

Get your kids' input on what activities they'd like to see.

Choice boards aren't just for the classroom. They're great for online learning, homework, or even family fun.

"Choice boards made our virtual classrooms come alive. Students were more engaged and took charge of their learning." - Edutopia

So, why not give choice boards a shot? They might just be the game-changer your teaching needs.

FAQs

What is a choice board in differentiated instruction?

A choice board is a menu of activities that lets students pick how they want to learn or show their knowledge. It's a way to give kids options while still hitting those learning targets.

How can choice boards engage your learners?

Choice boards get students more involved by:

• Putting them in the driver's seat of their learning
• Mixing up how they practice skills
• Bridging the gap between school and home

"Choice boards can replace homework packets, giving students the freedom to choose how they practice skills learned in class." - Edutopia

How to use choice boards to differentiate learning?

To differentiate with choice boards:

1. Create options for various subjects or skills

2. Include tasks at different difficulty levels

3. Offer choices that fit different learning styles

Think: write a story, draw a comic, or make a video - all about the same topic.

When to use a choice board?

Use choice boards:

• Instead of standard homework
• To keep quick finishers busy
• During class work
• To get parents involved in learning

What is an example of a choice board activity?

Here's a simple choice board for an Ancient Egypt lesson:

Write	Create	Present
News article on pyramid building	Sphinx model	Video tour of pharaoh's tomb
Pharaoh's diary entry	Nile River map	Mummification podcast
Ancient Egyptian bread recipe	Hieroglyphics poster	Daily life in Egypt skit

Students pick one activity from each column for their project.