Module 4E: Adapt (Level) Materials for Elementary Needs

Pedagogical (K-5 Educators)

ISTE Educator Standards: 2.5.a (Accommodate Learner Differences)

Core Takeaways:

• • Unified Themes for Community Belonging: Keep the core story context (e.g., dinosaurs, space) identical across all tiers so every student participates in the same classroom discussion while working at their personal readiness level.

  • Reading Load vs. Content Focus: Apply explicit decoding constraints (e.g., 3-word sentences, CVC patterns) to prevent reading friction from interfering with math or conceptual reasoning.

  • Vocabulary Auditing (Human-in-the-Loop): Identify and replace high-syllable or inaccessible words generated by AI (e.g., substituting "paleontologist" with accessible language) without rewriting the entire activity.

  • Zero-Prep Formatting: Prompt Gemini to output differentiated content directly into printable multi-column tables with dedicated equation spaces and answer keys.

Demo Prompt: Dinosaur Math check-for-understanding (Level 1: Sums to 10 with 3-word sentences; Level 2: Sums to 20; Level 3: Missing addend).

Practice Template:  Copy/Paste Template into Gemini and [Swap out Bracket Terms]

• • Generate three different versions of a math story problem about [Topic, e.g., outer space] for my [Grade Level] class.

    • Level 1: Make this for a student working on [Skill 1, e.g., sums to 5]. Use very simple sentences.

    • Level 2: Make this for a student working on [Skill 2, e.g., addition within 20].

    • Level 3: Make this a 'missing addend' problem for a student working on [Skill 3, e.g., sums to 20].

    • Keep the reading level accessible so my students can decode the words on their own, allowing them to focus on the math skills.

      • Follow-up / Iteration: "Put these into a table. Add a new column on the right for 'Equation' so students have a specific place to write their math sentence."

GES Badge / Quiz URL: goo.gle/ges4 and Linked on slide 17

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