1. Differentiating in Math
Middle School Math Meeting
November 29, 2016
Evans Middle School

2. Agenda Welcome/ Introduction
Differentiation Task- (Gingerbread man template)
Group discussion of task
Differentiation Video
Samples of Differentiation activities in Math
Develop an activity in differentiation groups
Wrap-up/closing with group sharing
Exit Ticket (Survey Monkey)

3. A Special Note
Differentiated instruction is a very popular, not to mention broad, topic in today’s educational arena. Therefore, please note that this presentation is only intended to give you a glimpse of this extensive topic.

4. Differentiation Task
On your Gingerbread template answer the following questions regarding differentiation in the classroom:
1. What do you want to know about differentiation in the classroom? (Head)
2. What do you already know about differentiation? (Chest)
3. How would you implement differentiation in your classroom? (right arm)
4. What questions/concerns do you have with implementation? (left arm)
5. What hesitations do you have with differentiation in your classroom? (stomach)
6. How do you think this strategy will enhance learning in your content? (right foot)
7. What activities do you think of when you think of differentiation? (left foot)

5. https://youtu.be/YAWKxpCv1Fw
“Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction.”
–Carol Ann Tomlinson

6. Diverse Learners So now you have a classroom of diverse
learners…and you know
that some of your past
strategies are not going
to be effective with them..So the
million dollar question is…..
…..How do you successfully
meet the needs of diverse
learners in your class?

7. Differentiation of Instruction
Is a teacher’s response to learner’s needs guided by general principles of differentiation
Respectful tasks
Flexible grouping
Continual assessment
Teachers Can Differentiate Through:
Content
Process
Product
According to Students’
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile

8. Strategies for Differentiating Instruction
High Prep Strategies
Low Prep Strategies
Tiered Lessons
Elbow-partner grouping
Flexible Grouping
Anchor Activities
Think-Tac-Toe
Think Pair Share
Multiple Intelligence Options
Interests Surveys
Graphic Organizers
Choice of assignments
Response/Exit Cards
Multiple Levels of Questioning

9. Strategies to Make Differentiation Work
Tiered Instruction
Changing the level of complexity or required readiness of a task or unit of study in order to meet the developmental needs of the students involved.
Tiering is one of the best approaches because it allows that all students with different learning needs work with the same curriculum.

10. Tiering Key Concept Or Understanding Those who do not know the concept
Those with some understanding
Those who understand the concept
Two students in the same math class. Student A struggles with basic concepts and math reasoning and needs help understanding the principle of the lesson. Student b is beyond grade level. A single approach will not work. The two students need to approach the principles from different directions or at different levels of difficulty.

11. What Can Be Tiered? Processes, content and products Assignments
Homework
Learning stations

12. Strategies to Make Differentiation Work
Anchoring Activities
These are activities that a student may do at any time when they have completed their present assignment or when the teacher is busy with other students. They may relate to specific needs or enrichment opportunities, including problems to solve or journals to write. They could also be part of a long term project.
Give examples of anchoring activities.

13. Strategies to Make Differentiation Work
Flexible Grouping
This allows students to be appropriately challenged and avoids labeling a student’s readiness as a static state. It is important to permit movement between groups because interest changes as we move from one subject to another

14. Strategies to Make Differentiation Work
Compacting Curriculum
Compacting the curriculum means assessing a student’s knowledge and skills, and providing alternative activities for the student who has already mastered curriculum content. This can be achieved by pre-testing basic concepts or using performance assessment methods. Students demonstrating they do not require instruction move on to tiered problem solving activities while others receive instruction.

15. Examples of Differentiation: Choice Board
Choice Boards address student readiness, interest, or learning preferences. They are easily adapted to any subject area.

16. Examples of Differentiation: Graphic Organizer

17. Examples of Differentiation: Technology in Math
3/MathEdTech
rstrengths.html

18. Show what you know…
Please arrange yourselves into groups of 4. No more than 2 people from the same grade level allow in each group.
In your groups, create a differentiation task that can be used in your classes. Due to time, please focus on one grade level.
Use the chart paper to display your task.

19. Summary/Closing: What Differentiation Is …
Student Centered
Best practices
Different approaches
3 or 4 different activities

20. Summary/Closing: What Differentiation Isn’t
One Thing
A Program
Hard questions for some and easy for others

21. Reflection
Please take a moment to take a survey regarding this presentation using the link below: