1. Differentiation in the Classroom
By Erik Chavarrieta

2. What is it? the action or process of differentiating
Mathematics?
Health?
In the classroom?
Give me an essay covering these topics.
Children are different.
Where does some diversity come from?

3. A Few Barriers Availability of resources Administrative support Time
False idea of differentiation

4. Strategies of Expert Teachers:
4 common characteristics
Offering personalized scaffolding
Using flexible means to reach defined ends
Mining subject-area expertise
Creating a caring classroom, where differences are seen as assets

5. Offering Personalized Scaffolding
Scaffolds
Temporary supports that help a learner bridge the gap between what he or she can do and what he or she needs to do to succeed at a learning task.
Tailored examples
One-on-one time to guarantee internalization of complex concepts
Field-based experiences?

6. Using Flexible Means to Reach a Defined End
“Multiple paths”
How much reign should students have?
Sweet spot between structure and choice
Accommodation of thinking patterns to achieve learning goals.
Keep everyone in mind

7. Mining Subject-Area Expertise
Class debate or lecture?
Transformation of dry problems into engaging puzzles

8. Creating Caring Classrooms (via Classroom Management Strategies)
What do you all think?
Respect for diversity
Any examples?
Consider this statement: “What are you doing?! You should know better. Put your phone away while I’m teaching!! That’s so disrespectful of you.”
Is this a parent-voice or a teacher-voice?
What key phrases or infliction gave it away?
How would you change this to be in an appropriate, respectful (yet stern) teacher-voice?