ABSTRACT

There are many ways to use menus in the classroom. One way that is often overlooked is using menus to build background knowledge or access prior knowledge before a unit begins. Using menus this way is beneficial when students have had exposure to upcoming content in the past, perhaps during the previous year's instruction or through life experiences. Using menus for enrichment and supplementary activities is the most common way of implementing menus in the classroom. When using menus for enrichment or supplemental activities, the teacher should introduce the menu and the choice activities at the beginning of a unit—before any instruction has taken place. Teachers are often frustrated when locating alternative options to replace certain activities and lessons for those students who have tested out. The best model of compacting would allow students who show proficiency in just one aspect of the unit of study the ability to complete an alternate assignment.