Differentiation

Questions to Guide Planning for Differentiation

(Use any or all applicable to your teaching/learning needs)

1. Are you clear on what you want the student to:

› know (understand, facts)?

› understand (principles, generalizations, ideas)?

› be able to do as a result of this/these learning experiences?

2. In planning for content, have you thought about:

› alternate resources?

› varied pacing plans?

› varied support (reading buddies, tape recordings, organizers, small

group direct instruction, extensions)?

3. In planning pre-assessment for student readiness,

› does it show understanding or skill/facts only?

› does it fit what you want from # one?

4. As you assign students to groups or tasks, have you made certain:

› students are encouraged to “work up”?

› there are opportunities for students to work alone if needed or preferred?

› the group size matches the student need?

› group assignments vary from previous ones?

5. As you create activities, have you made certain:

› they call for high level thinking?

› each activity requires all students to make sense of own key concepts and generalizations?

› if readiness based, the activities are varied in pace, content, process, or product?

› if interest based, students have choices to make about how to show understanding?

› expectations for high quality task completion is clear?

› skills are a part of the activity?

› there’s a plan for gathering assessment data from the activity?

C. Tomlinson, 1996

This compilation of information and resources is intended to support teachers in differentiating curriculum and instruction in the best interest of their students. Use the blue links to navigate through each section.

What is Differentiation?

Differentiation | Learning Strategies | Resources | Conclusion | Credits

The primary intent of differentiated instruction is to maximize student capacity.

Differentiated Instruction is teaching a concept in which the classroom teacher plans for the diverse needs of students.

Considerations

· The teacher must consider the students’:

· Learning styles, skill levels, and learning rates

o Slow Learners, Special Education Students, Accelerated

· Language proficiency

· Background experience and knowledge

· Motivation and ability to attend

· Physical needs and social and emotional development

Characteristics of a Differentiated Classroom

· Ongoing assessment

· Flexible grouping

· Tiered grouping

· Tiered lessons

· Anchor activities

· Learning centers/interest stations

· Learning contracts

· Independent study

· Varied questioning

· Varied supplemental materials

· Individualized modifications

· Multiple intelligence options

· Use of collaboration, independence, and cooperation

· Options for varied modes of expression

Learning Strategies

Differentiation | Learning Strategies | Resources | Conclusion | Credits

Pre – Assessment Options

Ask yourself what is really important. What are the topics you would be floored if they did not know?

Thumbs Up & Down
Pre and Post Test
Survey or Scale Questions
Yes / No Questions
K-W-L

Name: ____________________________

Date: __________________

Period: ________________

Survey

Circle the number that represents your comfort level.

1=Not so good

2=Pretty Good

3= Great

1. Researching many resources

I can find useful information on the Internet and in books.

1 2 3

I can put the information in my own words.

1 2 3

2. Creating a brochure via the computer.

1 2 3

3. Presenting in front of the class.

1 2 3

4. Familiarity of the geologic time scale.

1 2 3

5. Working with others on a class project.

0 1 2 3

Circle 0 if you prefer to work alone

*List 2 people you would not like to work with.

1. ______________________________

2. _______________________________

Differentiated Strategies

1. Turn overhead on when needed and off when not. Turning on is a visual stimulus to students that they need to pay attention or that a change is happening.

Place highlighting tape or stripes of colored acetate sheets over print to draw attention.

Individual student contract for high or low students that need them.

At times group students by skills attainment/need for skills instruction. Use flexible grouping practices.

Cut math worksheets into strips to avoid overwhelming students. Give 1 or 2 strips at a time. Cut strips vertically to increase the level of difficulty.

Mark correct answers only.

Play peaceful background music to calm and quiet students. Use music to calmly transition students from one subject/activity to the next. Remotes available at Radio Shack.

Play up-beat music to boost spirits and energy to keep them awake and happy about being at school.

Exude enthusiasm

Provide response opportunities for every student at least every 10 minutes. Preferably every 2 minutes.

Rather than always asking, “Are there any questions?” Ask students to generate 1 or 2 questions about the topic.

Use non-judgmental feedback

“Your problem solution contains all the steps we have agreed on.” When this is done, we can reduce the use of words like good or excellent that can become empty and don’t directly remind students of expectations.

Break long assignments into shorter ones. Give assignments one at a time. Be careful not to over integrate your curriculum.

Think pair share

Extend wait time

Introduce a question before you actually ask the question.

Individually have students write down answers or brainstorm before putting them into groups or verbally questioning the class.

Connect content to students’ positive emotional experiences.

Create mental pictures for students to better relate to the topic

Deep breathe every 15-20 minutes. Also a good idea before directions for any activities

Graphic organizers

Create a word / picture wall. Magnetic paint is useful for this.

Use post its to block out numbers not used in a division problem

Use graph paper or turn paper side ways to create columns for students.

Students need consistent feedback so work in chunks

Exit cards

List 3 things you learned
Write 3 questions you have
If we got a new student tomorrow, what would you tell them?

Learning Contract Form

LEARNING CONTRACT FOR COURSE # __________________________________________________

Student: __________________________________ Instructor: __________________________________

What are

you going

to Learn

(objectives)

How are you

going to learn

it (resources

and strategies)

Target

date

for

completion

How are you

going to know

that you learned

it (evidence)

How are you

going to prove

that you learned

it (verification

by judges)

B or A Level

(so indicate)

Resources

Differentiation | Learning Strategies | Resources | Conclusion | Credits

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

Games, puzzles

Create several different types of worksheets, quizzes, and games.

http://eleaston.com/quizzes. html

An alternative for book reports, analyzing historical events or scientific discoveries.

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/comic/index.html

Games for fun

http://www.gamequarium.com/

Kid Puzzles, crosswords, etc.

http://www.puzzlechoice.com/pc/Kids_Choicex.html

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

Science Resources

Science activities for students

http://vcourseware5.calstatela.edu

Science and Math Enrichment Activities

http://www2.imsa.edu/constituents/il-students.php

Science Enrichment Activities

http://geocities.com/bcenrichment/enrichment/science/science.html

Health Enrichment Activities

http://geocities.com/bcenrichment/enrichment/health/health.html

Invent America

http://www.inventamerica.org/

How the World Works

http://www.brainpop.com/science/seeall.weml

ENC: Math and Science Lessons by categories and levels

http://www.enc.org/features/calendar/category/?ls=fe

Pollution

http://www.beta-theta.com/Environment.html

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

Social Studies Resources

This is the Newspapers in Education website.

http://nie.dailyherald.com/

History Enrichment Activities

http://geocities.com/bcenrichment/enrichment/history/history.html

How People Behave in Society

http://www.brainpop.com/specials/seeall.weml

The Fifty States

http://www.50states.com/

Current Events, Book Reviews, Timelines

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/

Foundations of our Constitution

http://www.crf-usa.org/Foundation_docs/Foundation_home.html

Smithsonian Education

http://smithsonianeducation.org/

Color Landform Atlas of the US

http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/

Civil War

http://civilwarmini.com/

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

Language Arts Resources

Reading and language arts lessons with standards, web resources and student materials.

http://www.readwritethink.org/

Monthly calendar of noteworthy events.

http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/index.asp?date=12/1/2003

Words and Their Uses

http://www.brainpop.com/english/seeall.weml

Teacher Planet

http://www.TeacherPlanet.com

Literacy Centers, etc.

http://atozteacherstuff.com/

Independent Book Reports, etc.

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/

Lesson plans, word scrambles, etc

http://www.teachers-pet.org/

Collaborative Writing

http://www.nelliemuller.com/

ESL

http://bogglesworld.com/

Learning English

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

Math Resources

Math projects and activities for students

http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/

Math Playground: Interactive math games

http://www.mathplayground.com/index.html

ENC: Math and Science Lessons by categories and levels

http://www.enc.org/features/calendar/category/?ls=fe

Math Enrichment Activities

http://geocities.com/bcenrichment/enrichment/math/math.html

Fun Math Games

http://www.funbrain.com/

Math Calculations and Computations

http://www.brainpop.com/math/seeall.weml

Clever Games for Clever People

http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~casey931/conway/games.html

Brain Teasers

http://www.syvum.com/teasers/#

About the Numbers in Today’s Date

http://richardphillips.org.uk/number/

Doctor Math

http://mathforum.com/dr.math/

Geometry Problem of the Week

http://mathforum.org/geopow/

Math quotations

http://math.furman.edu/~mwoodard/mquot.html

Hotel Infinity

http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/workbk/infinity/infinity.html

Word Problems for Kids

http://www.stfx.ca/special/mathproblems/welcome.html

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

General Differentiating Resources for Teachers

Differentiated Instruction Resources for teachers

http://www.differentiatedinstruction.com/DIResources.htm

Staff Developers for Educators

http://www.sde.com

Organizing and assessing in the content area class

http://everythingesl.net/inservices/judith2.php

Teacher resources

http://www.peaklearn.com/resources/set_res04.html

Teacher Helpers

http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/bulletin/anybrd.html

ABCs of Curriculum Differentiation

http://www.learnerslink.com/abcs.htm

National Association for Gifted Education

http://www.nagc.org/

Fine Arts Enrichment Activities

http://geocities.com/bcenrichment/enrichment/extra/extra.html

Teacher Resources

http://geocities.com/bcenrichment/enrichment/teacher/teacher.html

Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education

http://www.penngifted.org/

Glossary of Differentiation Strategies

http://wilmette.nttc.org/CD39/stglossary.htm

Eisenhower National Clearing House

http://enc.org/

Sites for teachers, ranked with links

http://www.sitesforteachers.com/

The Lesson Plan Page

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/

Teacher Related Freebies

http://www.justfreestuff.com/teacher.html

Games Science Social Studies Language Arts

Math Teacher Resources Behavior and Character

Behavior and Character

This is a comprehensive resource for students and teachers regarding bullying.

http://www.police.govt.nz/service/yes/nobully/whats_bullying.html#if

Behavior Index

http://www.disciplinehelp.com/behavior/default.cfm?cur_behavior=2

The ADD Myth

http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/myth_add_adhd.htm

Conclusion

Differentiation | Learning Strategies | Resources | Conclusion | Credits

Planning for the diverse needs of students can be challenging, however implementing a variety of differentiation strategies, incorporating a wealth of resources and continual self-evaluation ensures that teachers provide maximized learning for every student.

Credits

Differentiation | Learning Strategies | Resources | Conclusion | Credits

Bibliography

VanderWeide, Donna. Differentiating Instruction Tool Box, published by Donna VanderWeide, 2003.

Goodman, Gretchen. Illinois Differentiated Instruction Conference Handout Resource Book, Staff Development for Educators, 2003.