Haverford Teachers Focus on Differentiated Instruction in Fifth Grade ELA Classes
July 18, 2025 | Haverford Township SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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The Haverford Township School District's recent meeting on July 18, 2025, focused on the implementation of the "Wit and Wisdom" curriculum and its impact on differentiated instruction in English Language Arts (ELA) classes. Educators discussed strategies to enhance student learning through mixed-ability grouping and tailored support.
Key speaker Julie Parkinson, a fifth-grade special education teacher, emphasized the importance of providing enrichment opportunities that go beyond simply reading more books. She described the "Written Wisdom" program as a means to guide students toward a deeper understanding of texts, fostering analytical skills rather than just surface-level comprehension. Parkinson highlighted the role of co-teaching in her classroom, where she collaborates with a special education teacher to support diverse learners effectively.
The discussion underscored the benefits of heterogeneous grouping, where students of varying abilities can learn from one another. Parkinson noted that advanced students do not suffer academically in well-structured mixed classrooms, and they often thrive when given the chance to engage with peers. This approach allows for peer modeling and diverse perspectives, enriching the learning experience for all students.
Educators also shared specific examples of how the Wit and Wisdom curriculum incorporates built-in scaffolding and extensions to meet the needs of all learners. For instance, during a lesson on "The Phantom Tollbooth," students were provided with sentence frames to support their understanding, while others were encouraged to make connections to other texts, enhancing their analytical skills.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing professional development, ensuring that teachers are well-prepared to implement differentiation strategies effectively. As the district moves into its second year of the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, educators expressed confidence in their ability to meet the diverse needs of their students, fostering an inclusive and enriching learning environment.
Key speaker Julie Parkinson, a fifth-grade special education teacher, emphasized the importance of providing enrichment opportunities that go beyond simply reading more books. She described the "Written Wisdom" program as a means to guide students toward a deeper understanding of texts, fostering analytical skills rather than just surface-level comprehension. Parkinson highlighted the role of co-teaching in her classroom, where she collaborates with a special education teacher to support diverse learners effectively.
The discussion underscored the benefits of heterogeneous grouping, where students of varying abilities can learn from one another. Parkinson noted that advanced students do not suffer academically in well-structured mixed classrooms, and they often thrive when given the chance to engage with peers. This approach allows for peer modeling and diverse perspectives, enriching the learning experience for all students.
Educators also shared specific examples of how the Wit and Wisdom curriculum incorporates built-in scaffolding and extensions to meet the needs of all learners. For instance, during a lesson on "The Phantom Tollbooth," students were provided with sentence frames to support their understanding, while others were encouraged to make connections to other texts, enhancing their analytical skills.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing professional development, ensuring that teachers are well-prepared to implement differentiation strategies effectively. As the district moves into its second year of the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, educators expressed confidence in their ability to meet the diverse needs of their students, fostering an inclusive and enriching learning environment.
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