1. 1 Working Smarter, Not Harder: Pat Holliday Angela Szakasits Differentiating Instruction

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l ulUvYfRl_c

3. 3 Our objectives for this workshop are to: Overview of Differentiated Instruction Share several strategies how you can differentiate in your classroom Give a short overview of the Differentiated Classroom (video clips) Think of ways you can turn your classroom into a Differentiated Classroom Answer any questions that you might have

4. 4 What is Differentiation of Instruction? Differentiating instruction is a teacher’s response to the student’s needs It is how a teacher provides specific ways for each student to learn as deeply and quickly as possible

5. 5 Why Differentiate the Instruction? Some children have already mastered concepts and skills. Not all children are “turned on” to learning unless they are interested and challenged. Not all children learn at the same pace or in the same way.

6. 6 The Basic Elements of Differentiating Instruction Students participate in authentic assignments ⁻ readiness ⁻ interest ⁻ learning profile Ongoing assessment is a must ⁻ assess students in multiple ways ⁻ be flexible, adjust as necessary Most importantly-DIFFERENTIATION is not something you do every day, all day

7. 7 Begin with these simple strategies Compacting Tiered Assignments Independent Contracts Learning Centers Flexible Grouping

8. 8 Compacting Encourages teachers to assess students before beginning a unit of study or development of a skill –Document what the student knows –Document what the preassessment indicates the student does not know –Plan for meaningful and challenging use of the student's time- students need to “buy in”

9. Methods of Compacting Spelling pretests-option (less spelling tests to grade on Friday) Math pretests-enrich (a step up in the curriculum or pull challenge activities from the textbook) Pretest of focus skills or content-think about what information needs to known at the end of the unit

10. 10 Tiered Assignments Use when you want to ensure students with different learning needs work with the same essential ideas and key skills ‾Vary the level of activities on the same concept ‾Use a variety of resources and materials at different learning levels and use a variety of learning modes ‾Assure appropriate level of challenge ‾Be sure there is clear criteria for quality and success

11. 11 Examples of Tiered Assignments Math Concept: Ordering numbers – Group 1: Choosing numbers out of a plastic bag to paste in order on a sheet of paper to match a hundreds board. (recognition) – Group 2: The teacher orally calls out numbers as students color in the hundreds board. If student answers are correct when he finishes, a picture is created. (application) – Group 3:Create number sentences (adaptation)

12. 12 Reading Concept: Where the Red Fern Grows or any novel that is read in class!!!!! Group 1: Listen to the story on tape Group 2: Guided Reading group Group 3: Read the book independently All groups watch the movie will use a double bubble map to compare and contrast the book and the movie

13. Independent/Learning Contracts Contracts are negotiated agreement between teacher and student that give the student opportunities for choice and freedom of acquiring skills. This is the perfect opportunity to integrate other subject areas and multiple intelligences.

14. Examples of Independent Contracts Reading Contract # 1 Reading Contract # 2 Reading Contract # 3

15. 15 Learning Centers A learning center is a classroom area that contains a collection of activities or materials designed to teach, reinforce or extend a particular skill or concept. Learning centers should focus on: – Using materials and activities that address a wide range of reading levels, learning profiles and student interest; – Provide clear directions for students; – Focus on important learning goals; – Include instructions about what a student should do if he needs help; – Include a plan for on going assessment (observation and rubric).

16. Example of a Science Learning Center Topic-Clouds and Water Cycle Center 1-use cotton balls to represent the different types of clouds. Center 2-write poetry about clouds Center 3-make a song or rap about the water cycle Center 4-graph the average rainfall in five North Carolina cities

17. 17 Flex Grouping The key is to be flexible. Grouping should be based on –Readiness –Interests –Learning profiles Groups can change based on content, units, or skill concepts.

18. Examples of Flex Grouping Math Example- Structured settingStructured setting

19. 19 Students work in a variety of group configurations. Students strengths are emphasized.

20. How does this apply to your classroom?

21. Final Advice for Differentiating Instruction Start small. Let go of control. Teach the students to bake the cupcake before adding the sprinkles. Encourage students to become a problem solver. Step back and reflect. It’s okay to make mistakes.

22. Questions !!!!!

23. Resources The Differentiated Classroom by Carol Ann Tomlinson, 1999 Differentiated Classroom