Differentiation in the Math Workshop with Freckle

Some of you might remember Front Row Math from a few years back.  Front Row has revamped itself as Freckle Education and offers a free, differentiated experience for your students.  There is a paid version but it isn't really necessary.  The free version has everything you need to get started.  If you are brand new to Freckle, check out my set-up tutorial screencast by clicking here or going to the Featured Screencasts tab of my blog.  Then, head over to Freckle.com to get started!

In our district, the math workshop model is implemented so teachers create stations for their units of study where students work at their level on tasks to help strengthen their math knowledge.  Freckle is perfect for these math stations and provides meaningful technology integration.  Progress can be viewed on the teacher device, allowing that data to assist in planning future instruction.  

Differentiating Content and Process:
Freckle offers several types of assignments that promote differentiation and personalized learning in the math workshop.  The adaptive practice begins with a pre-test on a particular unit of study and then place students on a path according to their instructional level.  They continue to work on this path and move up as they learn. The targeted practice assignment allows you to assign a set of 10 questions focusing on a specific standard.  This is great for students who need extra support with a specific standard.  The benchmark assessment allows you assign by standard or domain, and they even have some free inquiry-based projects for students to collaborate on!  When students complete assignments, teachers can view the reports to see trends in understanding and similarities in student needs to help them create math groups.

Freckle also gives priority to how students learn.  When students work within Freckle, they have access to virtual manipulatives, the ability to do their work in a digital workspace right next to the problem, strategy video tutorials in case they get stuck, and a list of classmates who have mastered the skill who may be able to assist.  Plus, students always have the option of having the questions read out loud to them as well.

The only challenge is that, in the free version, you can only give one of each type of assignment at a time and they need to be finished before another can be assigned.  However, with the math workshop model, this is easy to work around.  Below is one way you can schedule your week: 

If there is any app/website you are going to use in your math workshop, this one, in my opinion, is one of the most differentiated available.  I've even created some station signs for my teachers to use with their students.  Feel free to click and copy for your own use!