Creating options for kids to be able to listen to books being read, learning songs, or even just music is something I would want for every classroom- primary or secondary. Of course, audio files can also be accessed from a computer or laptop but having listening stations can also free up the computers to be used for other things like writing or to facilitate student inquiry. This option allows students another avenue for accessing material in the curriculum. For some learners, listening will help them to learn better.
If you don't have any of these things, check with your media specialist! They might have something available or be able to purchase equipment with instructional funds. I know that tape recorder seems ancient but I'm a practical person, so if I have 200 books on tape and not enough available digitally, I will work with what I have while I try to move the collection into a digital format.
Providing options for writing will help more kids to be successful. There are a variety of no tech, low tech and high tech options that will allow kids to organize their thoughts, formulate ideas, and move forward with the writing process.
Whiteboards are great for a variety of activities for all ages. This year, I saw a great lesson at Argyle Middle School where Ms. Maria Lunsford was allowing students to make the choice of using white boards as they chose a variety of graphing problems to work through. This particular form of engagement, allowed students to easily show and change their plotted points as they worked through the math.
I'm a huge fan of the Clicker 6 software program as a writing tool because it provides support when kids need it and can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. This year, it is available in every elementary school in MCPS. Look for it in your applications folder on the desktop.
Here's the link to check it out: http://www.cricksoft.com/us/products/clicker/video.aspx
Another great tech tool for writing would be Kidspiration or Inspiration, depending on the level. In MCPS, Kidspiration and Inspiration are available for elementary schools and Inspiration for middle and high schools. These tools are great for prewriting, for creating learning materials for visual thinkers, and for integrating concepts through mind mapping. As well, there are a variety of digital graphic organizer templates that are already available within the program. That being said, I realize that some kids might prefer to write with paper and pencil and some others might prefer to use Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Here's the link to check out Inspiration: http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration
The beauty of using the UDL framework for planning is that our students will be allowed to make their own choices and become independent, self directed learners who can reflect on their learning and figure out what works best for them.
As I'm setting up my room, I'm going to try to find ways to provide guides for the metacognition skills that I want to become routine practices in my classroom. The ones I'm showing above came from two different schools- Argyle Middle School and Sargent Shriver Elementary School. If my memory is correct, the "assess yourself" posters were in 6th grade teacher, Ms. Ginger Berry's classroom. I think having the reflection statements on the wall provide a structure for the metacognition that will happen all year long for many different types of tasks. The teacher can use it to model his or her thinking and kids can later use it as a framework for their own reflection.
The UDL Poster: Thinking About My Learning was created by the UDL Leadership Team at Shriver ES. It provides a guide for kids to think about the process of their learning so they can make good choices for themselves.
I hope to create lots of different kinds or work spaces for the variety of students and tasks that will occur in our library/classroom. I know that my students will need time to work collaboratively and individually at different times.
Personally, I want to have a read aloud space, an open area for physical movement, both collaborative and individual workspaces, and places to access technology resources for a variety of reasons.
I like the ways that the teachers of the classrooms above have worked to provide a variety of work spaces for active learning in their classrooms. Can anyone think of other things that I've left out? Would love to hear some other ideas!