
1. English Language Learner
1.1. Differentiation Strategy 1: THINK, PAIR, SHARE
1.1.1. As we study transitional words and phrases, this can be quite difficult for students, let alone those who are non-native English speakers. This strategy allows students to think on their own, coming up with as many ideas as they can, then pair up with a partner, with whom they can share their ideas and discuss similar or different findings. The pair their shares what they have found with the class. This is a great strategy for ELL students as it allows them the opportunity to think on their own first, without any aid, but before sharing with the class they are able to go over their findings with a partner, allowing them to ask questions or clarify any confusion they experienced.
1.2. Differentiation Strategy 2: APPROPRIATE READING LEVEL
1.2.1. In having students read a narrative and identify transitional words, it is important to adapt the reading material to ELL student comprehension level. While the text should be comprehensible to the student, it should not bee too simple either.
2. Below Grade Level
2.1. Differentiation Strategy 1: STORYBOARD
2.1.1. As students learn about how not only recognize but USE transitional words and phrases in their own writing, using images can be helpful for those students who may be struggling to grasp the concept or for learners who are below grade level. This strategy helps students visualize the concept at hand. Students will put a transitional word in each box of the story board and then draw what is happening in the narrative, putting the events into logical order. They will then expand on the transitional word to create an entire sentence that starts off the event depicted.
2.2. Differentiation Strategy 2: TEAMWORK
2.2.1. Students work together in pairs to create a narrative story using a list of transitional words that the teacher provides. This allows students to support each other, allowing student below grade level to seek help from their peers, and those who may already grasp the concept expand their understanding by explaining to their classmate.