Looking at Student Work Through a Responsive Lens: Part 4

Planning for Instructional Next Steps

One of the greatest advantages of looking closely at student work is the ability to adjust instruction in real time. Responsive teaching is all about being flexible—taking what we learn from students' work and using it to shape the next steps in our teaching.

Instead of simply sticking to what was planned, we can make our instruction more effective by asking:

🔹 What do my students actually need based on their current understanding?

🔹 How can I group students for targeted support or extension?

🔹 What scaffolds can I offer to help students move from where they are to where they need to be?

Making Adjustments that Matter

For example, after reviewing student work on fractions, you may notice that some students are comfortable with comparing fractions but struggle with finding common denominators. With this insight, you could:

✔ Group students strategically – Use exit tickets to identify students who are progressing toward the skill of finding common denominators, and group them together for a quick small group session.

✔ Provide scaffolds – Use visual models or tools like fraction bars to help struggling students bridge the gap.

✔ Extend learning – Challenge students who are ready for more by helping them understand the concept of simplifying fractions conceptually.

When we base our next steps on actual student needs, we’re not just teaching to a plan—we’re meeting students where they are.

Try This in Your Classroom:

Before teaching a lesson, take time to strategically plan and prepare to adjust your instruction as needed. Ask yourself: 'What concepts or prerequisite skills must students master in order to successfully achieve the next lesson’s learning target?' or 'What skills is this lesson developing that are essential for success in the upcoming lesson?' Then, consider: 'How can I group and scaffold instruction to best support all learners within the given time frame, without compromising core grade-level expectations?

What adjustments have you made in your teaching based on student work? Let’s reflect together! 💡👇