Differentiated Instruction Beth Ackerman Notes at – at –

Children who struggle with learning typically have trouble with - Organization Organization Following directions Following directions Staying on task, attending Staying on task, attending Interpreting & remembering information Interpreting & remembering information Basic Skills Basic Skills Low expectation by others Low expectation by others Knowing how to learn, using metacognition Making connections Learning styles that are different than the teacher Being “active” and engaged as learners

What is the Answer? “I wish there was something I can do…but…” “I wish there was something I can do…but…” “I have too many children…” “I have too many children…” “I don’t have time…” “I don’t have time…” “What about everyone else in the class?” “What about everyone else in the class?” Differentiated Instruction

Expecting all children the same age to learn from the same materials is like expecting all children the same age to wear the same size clothing. – Madeline Hunter

What is Differentiated Instruction? A way of teaching and thinking A way of teaching and thinking Adapt learning to the individual children Adapt learning to the individual children Based on children’s readiness, profile and interests Based on children’s readiness, profile and interests

Key Principals of a Differentiated Classroom What matters in subject matter? What matters in subject matter? Recognize, appreciate and build on children’s differences Recognize, appreciate and build on children’s differences Assessment and instruction are inseparable Assessment and instruction are inseparable Adjust content, process, and product in response to child’s readiness, interests, and learning profile Adjust content, process, and product in response to child’s readiness, interests, and learning profile All children participate in respectful work All children participate in respectful work

Key Principals of a Differentiated Classroom Goals of a differentiated classroom are maximum growth and individual success Goals of a differentiated classroom are maximum growth and individual success Be Flexible Be Flexible Emphasize critical and creative thinking Emphasize critical and creative thinking Be engaging Be engaging Teachers and children are collaborators in learning. Teachers and children are collaborators in learning.

Low-Prep Differentiation Choices of books and materials Choices of books and materials Reading buddies Reading buddies Varied prompts Varied prompts Varied pacing Varied pacing Student-teacher goal setting Student-teacher goal setting Work alone/together Work alone/together Open-Ended activities Flexible seating Varied computer programs Varied modes of expression Think-Pair-Share Collaboration, independence, cooperation

High-Prep Differentiation Tired activities/labs Tired activities/labs Tiered products Tiered products Class-wide peer tutoring Class-wide peer tutoring Multiple texts Multiple texts Independent studies Independent studies Alternative assessments Alternative assessments Varied rubrics Varied rubrics Stations Stations Reading circles Reading circles Interest Circles Tiered Centers Learning contracts Multiple intelligences options Spelling by readiness Community mentors Teams, games, tournaments Group investigation Tape recorded materials

Powerful Product Assignment Identify the essentials of the study/unit Identify the essentials of the study/unit Identify one or more formats or “packaging options” for the product Identify one or more formats or “packaging options” for the product Determine expectations of quality Determine expectations of quality Decide on scaffolding you may need to build in order to promote success (timelines, storyboard, critiquing, revising, etc.) Decide on scaffolding you may need to build in order to promote success (timelines, storyboard, critiquing, revising, etc.)

Powerful Product Assignment Develop a product assignment that is relevant, measurable, observable Develop a product assignment that is relevant, measurable, observable Differentiate or modify versions of the assignment based on child’s readiness, interest and learning profile Differentiate or modify versions of the assignment based on child’s readiness, interest and learning profile Coach for success Coach for success Celebrate accomplishments Celebrate accomplishments

Examples of a Powerful Product Simple – As a learning group, trace your body and label the parts. Simple – As a learning group, trace your body and label the parts. Complex –Write and perform a play using Bible characters Complex –Write and perform a play using Bible characters What ideas do you have? What ideas do you have?

Websites - Resources Graphic Organizers - / Graphic Organizers - / / / Rubrics - Rubrics - Virtual Math - Virtual Math Differentiated Instruction - d1.html Differentiated Instruction - d1.html d1.html d1.html Learning Disabilities – Learning Disabilities – Educational Rap - Educational Rap - Carol Tomlinson’s books – leading researcher Carol Tomlinson’s books – leading researcher

Review - KWL KWL Believe it is your responsibility to help ALL of your students learn Believe it is your responsibility to help ALL of your students learn Understand their difficulties and struggles to learn Understand their difficulties and struggles to learn Utilize differentiated Instruction Utilize differentiated Instruction Share your ideas with others Share your ideas with others