Differentiation Differentiation (Primary) NIPTWS07

Differentiation Working together in the workshops will involve… Confidentiality Participation Contributing to group learning Asking questions/clarifying issues Taking responsibility for your own learning Please check that your phone is off for the duration of the workshop

Differentiation Overview Differentiation 1. Concept 2. Teacher 3. Classroom4. Reflection

Differentiation Walking Debate - Traffic Lights 1.Every pupil should have the same books and resources. 2.Using different tasks and resources may draw more attention to students with difficulties. 3.A differentiated curriculum could become an impoverished curriculum. 4.As a teacher, I know all I need to know about differentiation in the classroom from my initial teacher education experience.

Differentiation “…attending to the learning needs …of students, rather than teaching a class as though all …were basically alike.” (C.A. Tomlinson, 2000) “…teaching mindfully …to support the success of each human being for whom we accept professional responsibility.” (Sousa and Tomlinson, 2011) “… process of varying content, activities, teaching, learning methods and resources to take into account the range of interests, needs and experiences of individual students.” (NCCA, 2007) 5 Differentiation is …

Differentiation Recognise the need to differentiate Identify and understand student needs Identify key concepts, skills and principles Create a classroom environment that respects difference Use a range of differentiation strategies Manage a differentiated classroom The Teacher needs to… (Adapted from Carol Ann Tomlinson, 2011)

Differentiation 7 Differentiation… Commonsense Methods for Children with Special Educational Needs Peter Westwood (ISBN ) Needs Experiences/ Interests/Skills Intelligences Learning Style Content Activities Resources Product Environment Teaching Strategies Pace Amount of assistance Testing Classroom Groups Homework

Differentiation

Variety of Instructional Strategies Respectful Activities Variety of Resources Variety of Products On-going Assessment Variety of Question Types In the Classroom

Differentiation What do I need to do? 2 suggestions Scenarios

Differentiation 1.I have two students in my class who have difficulty with reading. I also have a group of very able readers. How can I cater for all of these students? 2.I have some students in my class having difficulty with writing. Their letter formation is poor and, when they write, there are no spaces between their words. How can I cater for the needs of the students experiencing difficulty, yet challenge the other students? 3.A student in my class takes a long time to take down his homework. Sometimes I take it down for him and, other times, I get another student to help. Also, he often forgets the books he needs for that night. What can I do to help him become more independent? 4.In our school we use a spelling notebook with weekly lists. Three students in my class go to Learning Support and are unable to do the class list. Three other children get all their spellings correct in the pre- test on Monday. How can I cater for these students – do I give them a separate list and test?

Differentiation 5.I am new to the school and my class has some textbooks that I believe are not suited to the needs and abilities of some students. I feel I am expected to follow the textbooks to keep in line with school practice. However, the students are not motivated by the texts. How can I meet the learning needs of the students? 6.I have a number of students in my class whose first language is not English. I feel that they are at a disadvantage, particularly around Maths and English, as they frequently misunderstand conversation and instructions. What can I do to ensure that these students are catered for in my classroom? 7. I have a student in my class who has a physical disability. How can I accommodate this student’s learning? 8. In my class, I have some students who are very able. They complete assignments very quickly and are always finished before the main group. Some complete the tasks successfully following my instructions. However, some students in this group hand up work that is inaccurate and untidy. How can I manage this situation?

Differentiation Developing a Differentiated Approach… Stage 1 Choose 1/2 strategies Stage 2 Practise and refine Stage 3 Strategies become embedded Adapted from Peter Anstee, Differentiation Pocketbook, 2011

Differentiation Challenges to Differentiation 1. Personal Reflection Identify one challenge 2. Give One/Get One Share challenge in groups of 3 Get one suggestion/strategy

Differentiation Reflection in Practice Key learning for me … 3 Resources/Ideas which appeal to me 2 Strategies I will implement in my classroom practice 1 Thing I am already doing well

Differentiation Useful Websites

Differentiation Additional Support Professional Support Groups NIPT School Support Service Contact the NIPT Please ask your Facilitator or EC for the contact details of the NIPT RDO assigned to your EC To ask for support is a sign of strength…