Differentiated
This is a freebie sampler of the February ELA centers. If you like this, make sure to check out the full pack here. This pack was created to support independent activities for the literacy block. It contains 9 differentiated activities that are slightly different than my other centers. Instead of creating one task with several different levels of difficulty cards, the activities are differentiated by either the complexity of the recording sheet and task or by the actual readability of the task. I made this change to help teachers create meaningful, differentiated centers, while requiring less time to prepare and create! Another new feature I added to this pack is a printable resource poster for EACH center! The centers include:
Smitten with Synonyms-The students will match the synonyms by putting together puzzle pieces. Two different recording sheets are included for differentiation. The first recording sheet uses picture cues to help match the synonyms. The second recording sheet does not have picture cues.
Adoring Antonyms- The students will match the antonyms by matching word to a picture. Two different recording sheets are included for differentiation. The first recording sheet uses picture cues to help match the antonyms. The second recording sheet does not have picture cues.
Character Traits with Harriet Tubman- The students will read a passage about Harriet Tubman. They will sort character traits into words that do and do not describe Tubman. Two differentiated recording sheets are included. The first recording sheet requires students to simply sort character traits. The second recording sheet requires students to sort the character traits, then choose three of the traits to provide evidence from the text on why these traits describe Tubman.
Cherished Context Clues- Students read cards with sentences with an underlined word. Then, they will use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word. There are two differentiated recording sheet choices. One recording sheet gives the students a multiple choice to choose from. The other recording sheet requires students to write the meaning of the underlined word using context clues.
Crazy for Drawing Conclusions- The students will read a card with a paragraph on it. Then, the students will answer the question (and draw a conclusion) about the paragraph. Two different recording sheets are included for differentiation. The first recording sheet requires students to choose the best conclusion from a multiple choice bank. The second recording sheet requires students to write in the best conclusion.
Be a Literary Reading Detective- The students read a literary passage and then can either answer questions about the passage, or can use question stem cards, to create and answer their own questions about the passage. There are three levels of the passage (Beginning 2nd , Mid
2nd,, End 2nd) and two different versions of the recording sheet.
Be an Informational Reading Detective- Students read an informational passage and then can either answer questions about the passage, or can use question stem cards, to create and answer their own questions about the passage. There are three levels of the passage (Beginning 2nd , Mid 2nd,, End 2nd) and two different versions of the recording sheet.
Moonstruck Over Multiple Meaning Words- The students will read a card and determine the meaning of the underlined word. Two different recording sheets are included for differentiation. Copy the first sheet for a simpler task. Copy both sheets front to back for a more difficult task. The first recording sheet requires students to circle the picture of the multiple meaning word
written on the card, based on sentence level context. The second recording sheet, for the back, requires students to write three sentences using words that were not circled on the front of the recording sheet.
Like these? Click on the
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as
who, what, where, when, why
, and
how
to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.10
By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and
poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of
the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as
who, what, where, when, why
, and
how
to
demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.2
Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of
specific paragraphs within the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a
grade 2
topic or subject area.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.10
By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including
history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with
scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and
phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
We Love Main Idea
Teacher Directions
Teacher Prep Work: Print, laminate, and cut out the cards and sorting mats. Store cards in a Ziploc
bag. Print cover sheet and directions. Glue cover sheet onto a large manila envelope and laminate.
Store all materials and copies in the envelope. Two versions of the main idea cards are included. The
first version has a picture in the bottom right corner to match the topic. The second version only
has a numbered heart, so the students have no visual prompts about the topic or main idea. Two
different recording sheets are included for differentiation for each set of cards. The first
recording sheet requires students to choose the main idea from a multiple choice bank. The second
recording sheet requires students to write in the main idea. Copy recording sheet for students.
Directions: The students will choose a card. The student will then read the paragraph on the card
and determine the main idea. Then, the student will record his or her work on
the answer sheet.
We Love Main Idea
1.) Choose a card.
2.) Read the paragraph on the card
and determine the main idea.
3.) Then, record your work on the
answer sheet.
Identifying Main Idea
Created by Mandy Gregory ~2016~ All Rights Reserved
Created by M. Gregory
Main Idea Reference Poster
main idea
The main idea of a story
or passage explains the
main, or most important
Valentine's Day is very
special. It is a day to show
and tell people how much you
care for them. You can give
them flowers or candy. A
wonderful way to show people
you care is to write a
Valentine’s Day card. You can
buy one at the store or make
it yourself. Have you ever
made a card for
Valentine's Day? The
most important thing is
to tell people you care!
Do you know how to cut
out a perfect paper heart?
Fold a piece of paper in half.
Then, draw a shape like a
hook, or half of a heart. The
top of the shape needs to
start at the top edge fold of
the paper. The bottom needs
to end at the bottom of the
fold at the paper’s edge. Then,
cut out the shape while the
paper is still folded. Open up
the shape and you have
a perfect heart!
The groundhog is a cute and
fuzzy little animal. It is also called a
woodchuck. The groundhog lives under
the ground in burrows. Each winter it
crawls in its burrow for a long rest.
This rest is called hibernation. Some
people believe that the groundhog can
predict if there will be a longer
winter. At the beginning of February,
people gather around the groundhog’s
burrow. If the groundhog comes out
of his burrow and sees his shadow,
there will be six more weeks of
winter! This special day is named
after the
groundhog! Have you ever
heard of Groundhog’s Day?
Booker was born a slave in about
1856. He worked very hard as a child. He
wanted to learn to read and write. Slaves
were not allowed to learn.
There was a war called the Civil
War. Booker was free. He was no longer a
slave. Booker was still not able to go to
school. He had to work to help his family.
His mother knew he wanted to
learn. She bought him a book. He learned his
letters and how to write some words. He was
finally able to go to school when he was 11
years old. He finished school. Then, he
became a teacher.
He opened a school for African
Americans. The school is still open
today. It is called Tuskegee University
in Alabama.
Booker was the head of
the school until he died in 1915.
Created by M. Gregory Identifying Main Idea
Name
____________________________________
Date
_______________
We Love Main Idea
Directions: Read the passage on each card. Circle the correct main idea of each
passage next to the picture that matches the card.
a.) You can give them flowers or
candy.
b.) Valentine's Day is a special day to
show people you care.
a.) The groundhog lives in a burrow.
b.) The groundhog hibernates all winter in
his burrow.
c.) The groundhog is an animal that
hibernates and is used to predict winter.
a.) Booker T. Washington was a man that
always wanted to learn.
b.) Booker was born a slave in about 1856.
c.) He opened a school for African
Created by M. Gregory Identifying Main Idea
Name
____________________________________
Date
_______________
Warming Up
with
Main Idea
Directions: Read the passage on each card. Then, write the main idea of the passage
next to the picture that matches the card.
Main Idea
__________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Main Idea
__________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Main Idea
__________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Valentine's Day is very
special. It is a day to show
and tell people how much you
care for them. You can give
them flowers or candy. A
wonderful way to show people
you care is to write a
Valentine’s Day card. You can
buy one at the store or make
it yourself. Have you ever
made a card for
Valentine's Day? The
most important thing is
to tell people you care!
Do you know how to cut
out a perfect paper heart?
Fold a piece of paper in half.
Then, draw a shape like a
hook, or half of a heart. The
top of the shape needs to
start at the top edge fold of
the paper. The bottom needs
to end at the bottom of the
fold at the paper’s edge. Then,
cut out the shape while the
paper is still folded. Open up
the shape and you have
a perfect heart!
Created by M. Gregory
Main Idea
The groundhog is a cute and
fuzzy little animal. It is also called a
woodchuck. The groundhog lives under
the ground in burrows. Each winter it
crawls in its burrow for a long rest.
This rest is called hibernation. Some
people believe that the groundhog can
predict if there will be a longer
winter. At the beginning of February,
people gather around the groundhog’s
burrow. If the groundhog comes out
of his burrow and sees his shadow,
there will be six more weeks of
winter! This special day is named
after the
groundhog! Have you ever
heard of Groundhog’s Day?
Booker was born a slave in about
1856. He worked very hard as a child. He
wanted to learn to read and write. Slaves
were not allowed to learn.
There was a war called the Civil
War. Booker was free. He was no longer a
slave. Booker was still not able to go to
school. He had to work to help his family.
His mother knew he wanted to
learn. She bought him a book. He learned his
letters and how to write some words. He was
finally able to go to school when he was 11
years old. He finished school. Then, he
became a teacher.
He opened a school for African
Americans. The school is still open
today. It is called Tuskegee University
in Alabama.
Booker was the head of
the school until he died in 1915.
Created by M. Gregory
Main Idea
Created by M. Gregory Identifying Main Idea
Name
____________________________________
Date
_______________
We Love Main Idea
Directions: Read the passage on each card. Circle the correct main idea of each
passage next to the picture that matches the card.
a.) You can give them flowers or
candy.
b.) Valentine's Day is a special day to
show people you care.
a.) The groundhog lives in a burrow.
b.) The groundhog hibernates all winter in
his burrow.
c.) The groundhog is an animal that
hibernates and is used to predict winter.
a.) Booker T. Washington was a man that
always wanted to learn.
b.) Booker was born a slave in about 1856.
c.) He opened a school for African
Americans.
#1
#2
Created by M. Gregory Identifying Main Idea
Name
____________________________________
Date
_______________
We Love Main Idea
Directions: Read the passage on each card. Then, write the main idea of the passage
next to the number that matches the number on the card.
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