Differentiation of Instruction: Just what are those pesky Icons? What? Why? How? By Mary Catherine Shmina

Skill Set to Practice While Learning Today: Define: describe Relate: connect, link to familiar topic Apply: use, practice

Interest Indicator Becoming aware of this topic Valuing this topic Recognizing how this topic matches you Understanding how you benefit from this topic Immersing oneself in the topic

What are they? A stop sign prompts you to stop.

What are they? The depth and complexity icons are prompts for initiating a more advanced and extensive understanding of subject matter.

Why? Gifted learners will be motivated by a way of thinking that takes them to the upper reaches of their zone of proximal development. Students who are asked to think differently in these deep and complex ways will develop skills and dispositions that will be come habits of mind for them.

How? Apply it to your current content. Use a stem for formulating questions or tasks.

Examples of Questions or Tasks Question: What is the pattern that best describes the character’s action? Task: Describe the character’s pattern of behavior.

More Examples Question: How do trends affect the development of inventions in our society? Task: Identify the social and economic trends that promote inventiveness in our society.

Today’s Topic is Baseball Expand knowledge base Increase affinity Guide thinking through the 11 lenses of depth and complexity.

Language of the Discipline Use the nomenclature of the disciplinarian or expert. Jargon Tools Vocabulary Abbreviations Terminology Figures of Speech Signs/Symbols

Language of the Discipline List the important words related to this topic. Parts of the field Player positions Equipment Types of hits Types of outs Types of defensive positioning Kinds of pitchers -Starters -Relievers -Set up pitchers

What is the most important word in your topic? What does that word mean? Baseball a ball and bat sport that may have come to the United States by British and Irish immigrants who played a similar game called “rounders”. Our current game is played by two teams of 9 players who are trying to score runs by safely running around three bases back to home plate.

What tools are used by experts in this field? Equipment bats, balls, bags, shin guards, batting helmets, face masks, chest protection, gloves, cleats, hats, jerseys

List an expression that comes from baseball. 9 th inning comeback Step up to the plate American as baseball and apple pie

Details -elaborating with information or substantiating an idea with evidence Clues Facts Features Data Ideas Traits Parts Elements Factors Events

List the important parts, facts, features and processes. 9 innings 9 players 3 outs 3 bases, home plate Singles, doubles, triples, home runs Strikes Balls Errors

Which details are more important that others, and how do you know they are important? Knowing the pitch count – It improves your chances of getting a hit. Defensive positioning –It improves your chances of getting an out.

Who are the important people, places, and events? Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Manny Ramirez, Jackie Robinson, Alex Rodriguez. Perfect games, Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium, World Series.

Patterns-defining recurring events and their relevance Predictions Cycles Motifs Repetitions Recurring elements Number lines Probabilities Sequence Order Relationship

List the things that are repeated over time. 7 th inning stretch Singing the Star Spangled Banner Singing a song after the 7 th inning stretch -Take Me out to the Ball Game Since September 11, Gob Bless America is sung on patriotic holidays and during the World Series.

Predict what might come next. Patriotic symbols on uniforms Different songs

Rules Methods Standards Cultural Mores Data collection Reactions Usual courses of behavior Laws Steps to be followed

List facts and opinions. Facts: Three strikes, you’re out. A ball hit out of the park is a home run. Opinions: Barry bonds shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame. Baseball is America’s past time.

Describe a rule, law, or order related to baseball. No spitball-outlawed in 1920 when batter was hit in the head with ball and later died. No vaseline behind the knee or under the bill of the cap.

What would happen if you didn’t follow the rules? You would be ejected from the game.

Trends identify the many and varied factors that affect a concept, idea, or topic. Direction changes over time Tendencies Current styles Influences Data representations

What trends do you notice? More home runs salaries increasing Increasing number of foreign-born players

List the causes and effects. Causes: -using clean baseballs -shortened distance to the outfield -lowered pitching mound Effects: -more home runs -ball moves faster

What is the importance of this trend? Average number of home runs increasing Runs scored increasing

Unanswered Questions Unsolved Unexplained A dilemma Uncertainties Missing links Unintended consequences Ambiguities Discrepancies

What did you learn? In baseball you use a lot of statistics to make decisions. The number of foreign-born players keeps increasing. Maybe this is because baseball is more popular in countries like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Japan.

What questions remain? How will the use of instant replay impact baseball? Will new traditions be added to baseball as more players from countries other than the U.S. enter the majors?

What resources can help you answer these questions? Baseball almanac History Make predictions based on patterns How instant replay is being used in other sports

Ethics Good/Bad Prejudices Controversies Right/Wrong Values Biases Philosophies Justice

What problems exist in general? Steroids, performance-enhancing drugs Role Models-chewing, spitting Gambling

Tell what is right and wrong about this topic? + It helps people feel like they are part of a community. + It’s still seen as America’s national pastime - It’s expensive for a family to attend a game. - Some team mascots might be considered racist by some.

List the problems faced with this topic. Bean ball Pete Rose-out of the Hall of Fame for betting on baseball “Black Sox”-threw the World Series in 1919 Jackie Robinson- 1 st Black to integrate baseball in 1947 Spit ball Disparity between small market and big market teams

Big Idea Conclusion Summary Global Themes Generalizations Principles Overarching Ideas Evidenced Conclusions Summarizations

What is the main idea of this topic? Baseball is a sport in which players’ statistics are important.

Why is this main idea important? Statistics help players and coaches make decisions. It is also a way to measure greatness.

Write the smaller ideas that support the bigger idea. 162 games is an effective way to determine a winner. Defensive strategies are based on hitting statistics and tendencies. Pitching decisions are based on statistics and tendencies of the hitter. The amount of money you make is based on your statistics.

Relate Over Time Apply historic to present Predict Historical Relevance Contributions Innovations Change Look at past, present, future Compare/Contrast

How has baseball changed through time? Team used to have exclusive rights to a player who signs a contract with them. Players were members of the team until they were traded or released. Now when contract expires, the player is free to negotiate with any team. Grass and artificial surfaces More games overall Many more night than day games More indoor fields

How has baseball stayed the same? 9 innings 9 players Distance between bases Distance between pitcher’s mound and home plate.

List words that represent: Past: was a “Dead Ball Era” (used same ball half the game which caused low scoring games.) Present: Baseball games now begin with 144 clean balls. Future: Computer chip data-how hard, how fast, react to spit/vaseline, etc.

Multiple Perspectives Looking at something differently Viewpoints Slants Interpretations Constructions Experts Multicultural views Roles

Who might have another idea about baseball? Historians Economists Sports psychologists Horticulturists Physicists

Why do experts think this is an important topic? It’s important to the history of a city. It’s a big business. It brings people together.

Why do you think this is an important topic? It’s an important topic to me because I grew up in a baseball city and saw this happen. My dad told me stories about when his dad took him to games and what it was like.

Across the Disciplines Making connections Curricular intersections Origins Associations Integrations Themes Communicating findings

My topic is mainly related to: Athletics But it is also related to: Economics Statistics Community pride Media History

What else does this topic make you think about? There is a large economic component to baseball. People sell baseball memorabilia. Baseball jobs include: players, coaches, concessions, security, clean-up, media, etc. Baseball draws people to the city to watch games and spend money. Well-paid players spend their money in the community.

Independent Learning Project We could focus a final presentation on a wide variety of topics including: Rule changes Cheating Racism Patriotism Records across time

Confucius Someone can show you one corner of understanding but you must find the other three yourself.

Application Now it’s your turn to work with your grade level to practice using the icons.

Thank you for inquiring about Icons. For more information, contact your child’s teacher, or Dr. Sand in the Main Office. Have a wonderful day