“This math is too easy!” – how many times have you heard this from one of your students?
Or even worse, how many times have you KNOWN that the math is too easy for a few of your students, but they are compliantly sitting there participating? Differentiating K-1 math is not easy. Students come into these grades with vast differences in background knowledge. Some students don’t know how to count to 10 while others are adding to 100.
I have a few strategies for differentiating math that will hopefully help!
Go deeper, not harder.
The first thing to note about K-1 differentiation is that you should be making students think DEEPER not just HARDER. What do I mean by that? Students should be increasing their thinking through rigor, not by just completing something harder.
For example, if a student knows how to solve 7 + 5, you should not ask them to solve 77 + 55. Yes, this is harder and it might take them a bit longer. But they are not doing anything different with their thinking. They are simply applying what they already know. It will force them to think a bit more at first, but then they will catch on to the pattern and not be challenged.
Rather, you should be increasing the rigor (HELLO DOK CHART!). For example, you could ask the students, what rules do you notice when you add two numbers? Or you could ask them, what is different between adding 7 + 5 and 77 + 55? Or another example, create 2 real world examples of times you would have to add 7 + 5.
These questions help students think deeper, not just harder.
One of my FAVORITE gifted guru’s, Ian Byrd, has an incredible article about this topic if you would like to read more about it. Read it here.
But how do I generate so many deeper questions?
Well, this takes time. AND practice. At first, it can be uncomfortable to think of deeper questions on the spot. And they may flop.
One of the best ways to generate the questions is to use a DOK chart. After you create a question, ask yourself – what type of thinking does this require?
Additionally, I have created a quick reference guide for Kindergarten and 1st Grade math standards. Each standard has a question at each DOK level to give you an example of deeper thinking. This is perfect to keep handy and read over before starting a new level, in a small group, or reviewing at the end of a unit.
My students keep saying “I don’t know”.
Additionally, your students may not be used to answering deeper questions. They very well may look at you and say “I don’t know”. The amount of Kindergarteners that look at me like I have 3 heads is incredible. Kids do not naturally know how to think deeper, especially when you have not been asking them to. Start off by modeling this, thinking aloud, and working as a group. Just like anything, slowly release the students.
Classroom models for differentiating math.
- The first way, which I believe is the most empowering, is through a math workshop model. Meeting with students in small groups based on their needs allows you to meet the students exactly where they are. We don’t expect all students to be reading at the same level, therefore we should not expect students to be on the same level for math. Meet with small groups, differentiate questioning, and differentiate the activities.
- Whole group challenges – deeper thinking, although not all students are ready for it, should be exposed to all students. A great way to do this is through a question of the day or question of the week. Allowing students to explore or ponder the deeper thinking questions can give all students an opportunity to think. This is also a great way to incorporate families into math thinking. Sending the question of the week out in a quick email could spark conversations in a car ride, at dinner, or even during bedtime stories.
Where else can I go?
Below are some of my other favorite websites and resources for K-2 deeper thinking questions. Check them out and see how they might be able to be used in your classroom for differentiating math!
Nrich Activities (great for center work!)
Robert Kaplinsky and Open Middle
What do you think? Share your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and more in the comments below! Join the conversation!
