Differentiated Instruction By Angela Cunningham

Anticipation Guide

When a teacher tries to teach something to the entire class at the same time, “chances are, one-third of the kids already know it; one third will get it; and the remaining third won’t. So two thirds of the children are wasting their time.” --Scott Willis, ASCD

What is Differentiation? Differentiation means creating multiple paths so that students of different readiness levels , interests, or learning profiles experience equally appropriate ways to absorb, use, develop, and present concepts as part of the daily learning process.

Differentiated Instruction Is Not… Expecting all students to accomplish the same tasks Grading some students harder than others Letting students who finish early play games Giving more of the same work to advanced learners who have already mastered the concept

Guiding Principle #1 Be clear on the key skills, concepts, and understandings that give meaning to your curriculum.

Guiding Principle #2 Think of assessment as a road map for your thinking and planning.

Feedback and Goal Setting Assessment Feedback and Goal Setting Pre-Assessment (Finding Out) Formative Assessment (Keeping Track) Summative Assessment (Making Sure) Pre-Test Inventory KWL Checklist Observation Self-Evaluation Flashback Journal Entry Questioning Self-Evaluation Exit Slip Quiz Unit Test Product Demonstration

Guiding Principles #3 Be flexible and willing to adjust lessons based on the needs of individual students.

Guiding Principles #4 Ensure that all students participate in respectful and meaningful tasks.

Differentiated Instruction Guided by general principles of differentiation Enduring Understandings On-going Assessment & Adjustment Respectful tasks Teachers can differentiate Content Process Product According to student’s characteristics Readiness Interests Learning Profile Through a range of instructional and management strategies such as: Multiple Intelligences Varied texts, materials Learning contracts Interest centers Literature circles Flexible grouping Jigsaws Interest groups Taped material Tiered assignments RAFTs Varied homework Anchor activities Questioning strategies Independent studies Compacting Graphic organizers Choice boards

Differentiating Content (What students learn) Includes curriculum, topics, or themes Reflects state and national standards Presents essential facts and skills Provides students with additional resources that match their levels of understanding

Differentiating Process (How students learn) Refers to how students make sense or understand the information, ideas, and skills being studied Reflects student learning styles and preferences

Differentiating Products (The end result of student learning) Refers to how students make sense or understand the information, ideas, and skills being studied Reflects student learning styles and preferences

Product Possibilities Present a news cast Present a radio show Design a political cartoon Create a series of illustrations Conduct a debate Hold a press conference Make a video documentary Present a photo essay Develop a museum exhibit Compile a newspaper Design a web page Develop a solution for a community, state, national problem Create a public service announcement Create a brochure Conduct a series of interviews Writings to newspaper, journal, magazine Create diagrams, charts to explain ideas Defend a position

How Do I Manage? Begin at a pace that is comfortable for you. Time activities to support student success. Create and deliver instructions carefully. Have a “home base” for students. Make a plan for students to turn in work. Teach students to rearrange furniture. Use “anchor activities” for students who finish early.