Where do I start differentiation in the classroom? DI for the 21 st Century Classroom

Is NOT a synonym for testing IS the gathering of information for the purpose of guiding instruction DI for the 21 st Century Classroom Assessment What is assessment?

Keep in mind that grades and assessments are not the same. You need assessment to help you determine learning progress and to shape your instruction, but every task that a student engages in does not need to be graded. DI for the 21 st Century Classroom What is assessment? (cont'd)

DI for the 21 st Century Classroom Pre-assessment and formative assessment are critical tools for differentiated instruction. Pre-assessment helps teachers determine students' current levels of readiness and is used to plan appropriate instruction. Formative assessment allows teachers to accumulate information about students' progress and is used to guide instructional decisions. Summative assessment measures students' progress at the end of a unit of study and is used to determine whether the criteria of the standards have been met. Assessment takes various forms that support instruction in different ways. R14, R15 What is assessment? (cont'd)

Pre-Assessment Meant to identify what the student knows, understands, and is able to do Not meant to be judged or evaluated Should be used when students have become comfortable in the learning situation (students who are not comfortable may see pre-assessment as a threat) Should be used to focus the learner on what is to come in the lesson/unit DI for the 21 st Century Classroom

Formative Assessment

Quick Pre- and Formative Assessment Strategies Observations and conversations Thumb check oThumbs down: I don't get it oThumbs sideways: Teach me a little more oThumbs up: I've got it KWI oWhat do you Know? oWhat do you Want to know? oWhat are you Interested in learning about the topic? Exit slips and other check-in slips Interactive whiteboards and clickers Teacher or text message (w/prompts) DI for the 21 st Century Classroom Source: Heacox, 2009

Assessment informs instruction; without it, purposeful differentiation is simply not possible. ―Diane Heacox, 2009 DI for the 21 st Century Classroom

If a student ever asks, "Is this going to be on the test?" we haven't done our job. Students learn best when their brains are primed for what to achieve and expect. Good assessment is never kept a secret. DI for the 21 st Century Classroom