What is differentiation? Is not new Its not a return to individualized instruction Its not hard to do Its not an additional thing to do on top of teaching-its an integrated way to approach planning and teaching

There is no “right way” to do it. You’re already doing it! It’s preparing ahead of time for the kids you know you’ll have It’s not waiting for kid to “pop up” who needs differentiation. It’s an outlook/framework It’s not asking you to plan, teach, and then differentiate.

Definition of Differentiation Finding ways for kids to be successful. Going around obstacles to get to the objective.

Position the floor appropriately for each student. Remove all ceilings. Close off some rooms when necessary

Parents want… Acknowledgement of mastery Forward progression

Role ofTraditional Classroom Differentiated Classroom Teacher Dispenser of information Coordinator, facilitator Student Receptacle for information Decision maker, sense maker Curriculum Topics to be coveredConcepts, generalizations, skills explored in various ways Instruction Single pace, single set of materials, single mode of assessment, assessment as end point Varied pace, multiple materials, alternative assessments, ongoing assessment used to modify plans Tomlinson

Who is already Differentiating? Spelling pretests with menu of choices –Page 18 of Winebrenner’s book has list Kinesthetic learning for those who need it Most Difficult First Grade by working backwards Make extensions –Move away from cute and go to VIGOR

Who is grouping by interests? –Write name on cards with the topic they are most interested in. (EX: body systems) Who is using pretests?

Pre-assessments Objective driven Varied formats –Multiple choice –Open-ended –Interest surveys Purpose/Use of pre-assessment –Group by readiness –Assess prior knowledge –Preview for upcoming unit

Type of Pre-Assessment: Carouseling It’s a K-W-L for whole class Put topics around the room on big paper Walk around in groups and write what they know Different color marker for each group

The Granddaddy of Differentiation Tiered Activities Goes back to the one-room schoolhouse model Low Middle High

How to Tier Add Enrichment questions Apply Bloom Provide various resources Reformat materials *Don’t reinvent the wheel! Use what you already have!

Differentiating by Choice ContentProcessProduct MandatedChoice MandatedChoice Mandated

Whining Provide choice for all students Explain differences early in the year, and the fact they are ok. Mix things up! –Differentiate between interests instead of ability –Differentiate by learning styles or MI

There are times when some things aren’t an option. Always clear choices with teacher.

Raise your hand if you are fluent in another language Put your hand down if you are a foreign language teacher The rest of us are LD in that language

Gifted Kids Won’t do OUR work.

Let’s look at the bell curve Where do you think teaching occurs?

We feel comfortable giving support to the struggling School is for the average What about the rest?