Most often, our special education classrooms are full of students whose instructional levels vary greatly. I like to have materials and activities that are easy for students to access independently and for my paras to assist with, but I want my students completing tasks that are at their level.To do this effectively with minimal interruptions, I use a colored level system. When I purchase new activities, as I prep them, I organize them into one of my 5 colored levels. Each year, I assign students a color. When it's time for independent work, students grab a task of their color and get to work! I use this for my file folders and centers & am in the process of color coding all of my task cards too.
Red: Most difficult- 2nd-3rd grade reading level, numbers over 100, multiplication, division, fractions
Yellow: 1st grade reading level, counting and numbers to 100, WH questions, addition, subtraction and calculator math
Green: writing words, CVC words, sight words, counting & numbers to 20, letter sounds
Blue: Least difficult- identical matching, tracing, counting & numbers to 10, letter identification, etc.
Purple: Errorless
Here are some of the items that I use to keep everything organized. The images are affiliate links- you can click on them if you're interested in purchasing!
Colored file folders: For my newest file folders, I am prepping them in the correct color so leveling is super easy!
Colored book bins: These are perfect for storing file folders!
Colored dot or star stickers: If you have regular manila file folders, just place a sticker on the tab to level.You can level task cards with these as well.
Astrobrights paper: I print all of my center labels directly on Astrobrights paper, then attach the label to the baggie.
Do you level your classroom activities? I'd love to hear how!
