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Scaffolds that open the curriculum to every learner.

Templates from my classrooms in English, math, science, and business. Each one shows a way to differentiate, design for all learners, or support language across subjects.

Universal Design for Learning

What UDL looks like in a real lesson

UDL means planning for the full range of learners from the start, instead of retrofitting support later. Every resource on this page uses its three principles.

  1. Why

    Engagement

    Students pick a topic they care about, like the global issue in the oral planner, so the task feels worth doing.

    See the oral planner

  2. What

    Representation

    Key words come with a visual and a home-language definition, so meaning does not depend on English alone.

    See the math vocabulary

  3. How

    Action and expression

    Sentence starters and color-coded steps give every student a way in, while strong writers are pushed past them.

    See the writing organizer

Differentiation in English

Writing and speaking, one step at a time

Both organizers break a big assessment into small moves. Each move has a key question and a sentence starter.

Writing · Literary analysis

PEAL paragraph organizer

  1. PointWrite a topic sentence that connects to your thesis.

    One way the author... (write the point of your paragraph).

  2. EvidenceWhich part of the text shows this? This may be a quote.

    For example, (use a quote that supports your point).

  3. AnalysisWhat technique is the author using, and why?

    This shows the author's use of... (state the authorial choice).

  4. LinkConnect back to your prompt or thesis.

    This shows how... (answer your writing prompt).

Used with secondary English learners. The full version also scaffolds the introduction (hook, text summary, thesis) and the conclusion.

Speaking · IB Individual Oral

Individual oral planner

Preparation checklist

  • Choose a literary text and a non-literary text
  • Find each text's key message
  • Choose a global issue that connects both texts
  • Complete the planner, then write a bullet-point script
  • Practice the oral at least three times, including questions

  1. Introduction

    What issue affects people all over the world?

    The global issue I will be discussing today is...

  2. Extract 1

    What key message does the text communicate?

    Here, (author) uses (authorial choice) to show...

  3. Extract 2

    How does your point connect to your global issue?

    This links back to my global issue because...

  4. Conclusion

    Do the texts offer a solution? Why or why not?

    In conclusion, I chose this global issue because...

Each body section repeats the same five moves: background, point, evidence, authorial choice, and link. Repetition lowers the load, so students can focus on ideas.

Language across subjects

Co-planned with subject teachers

English learners need academic language in every class, not just English. I build these with math, science, and business teachers so the support matches their content.

Math · Grade 6 to 8

Sequences vocabulary card

The sequence 3, 5, 7, 9 with each term labeled and plus 2 between terms +2+2+2 3,5,7,9, … 1st term2nd term3rd term4th term and on
Rule: 2n + 1
WordHome language or my definition
SequenceAn ordered list of numbers that follow a rule.数列 (shùliè)
수열
A list of numbers that follow a pattern
TermOne item in a sequence.
Linear patternGrows or shrinks by the same amount every time.

Students write the word in their home language or their own words, next to a picture of the idea.

Science · IB Environmental Systems and Societies

Topic glossary with visuals

  • Open systemEnergy and matter can enter and leave.
  • Positive feedback loopA change that makes itself bigger.
  • Ecological footprintLand and water needed to support a person or group.
  • BiocapacityWhat an area can regrow and absorb in one year.

A picture for each concept gives students a second way to remember it, especially in a heavy topic.

Teacher workshop · All subjects

Academic vocabulary planning

SubjectWordCommand termDiscussion question
ScienceevaporateExplainExplain why puddles dry faster on sunny days.
Math
Design
 Shaded row is an example. Teachers complete one row per subject.

From workshops where I trained more than 50 teachers on literacy and differentiation.

Business · IB Internal Assessment

Research essay organizer

  1. IntroductionIntroduce the business, the issue, the key concept, and the research question.
  2. AnalysisApply two business tools, use the sources as evidence, and consider the other side.
  3. ConclusionAnswer the research question, note limits, and make a recommendation.

Co-designed with a business teacher. Each section ends with a checklist students tick before they move on.

Want scaffolds like these for your school?

I run workshops and build subject-specific supports with your teachers. Please contact me for more information.

Email me Use the contact form