Enhancing Your Instructional Skills Through Differentiation

Melissa Storm The Access Center

Session Overview
Introduction Differentiation Strategies Practice Practical Issues Collaboration Next Steps

Why Differentiate?
All kids are different.
One size does not fit all. Differentiation provides all students with access to all curriculum.

What is Differentiation?
A teachers response to learner needs
The recognition of students varying background knowledge and preferences

Instruction that appeals to students differences

Teachers Can Differentiate

Content Process Product

According to Students
Readiness
Interest Learning Profile

Adapted from The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (Tomlinson, 1999)

Comparing Traditional and Differentiated Classrooms

Addressing student differences Use of assessment

Use of student interest and learning style

Comparing Traditional and Differentiated Classrooms

Instructional format Assignment options

Factors guiding instruction

Discussion Question
What are you already doing to differentiate instruction in your classroom?

Differentiation Strategies
All strategies are aligned with instructional goals and objectives
Specific strategies are selected based on
Focus of instruction Focus of differentiation

Example of a Differentiated Classroom

Judy Rexs Classroom in Scottsdale, AZ 3rd-4th grade multi-age class Children from 2nd grade reading level through high school

Some Differentiation Strategies

Choice Boards
Tiered Activities Learning Contracts

Differentiation Strategies

1. Develop a two-sentence summary of your strategy.

2. Provide an example of how the strategy could be used in your classroom.
Reading/Language Arts Compacting Math Independent Study Science Interest Centers or Interest Groups Social Studies/History Flexible Grouping

Case Studies
What aspects of differentiation do you see?
Which techniques could you use in your classroom? How?

What questions or concerns came up?

Differentiation Practice

Assessment in the Differentiated Classroom

Ongoing Instruction-dependent Student-dependent Informs continued instruction

Where do I Go From Here? Some Tips for Implementing Differentiation in your Classroom
Start slowly Organize your classroom space

Teacher Station 1 Inboxes

Bookshelf

Teacher Station 2

Schedule

Group Assignments

Where do I Go From Here? Some Tips for Implementing Differentiation in your Classroom
Start student files Start student portfolios Use a clipboard Use of technology Start class with familiar tasks Use task cards, a tape recorder, or an overhead for directions Have systems for student questions

Implementing Differentiated Instruction in your District or School

Start with Committed Staff
Look for Existing Resources/Infrastructure Start with One or Two Strategies Try it and Be Willing to Alter and Extend

Implementing Differentiated Instruction: Additional Considerations

Administrative Support to Teachers
Professional Development Adequate Planning Time

Collaborating Effectively
General Education and Special Education
Interpersonal Communication Physical Arrangement Curriculum Classroom Management

Collaborating Effectively
Teachers and Instructional Assistants
Communicate Schedules Share classroom experiences Share responsibility for students

Investing Students
Student buy-in
Provide choice Allow students to assess their own mastery Adjust physical environment Increase student responsibility

Where do I Go From Here?

Support networks
Online discussion forum

http://www.k8accesscenter.org
Whats New > Effective Classroom Strategies Discussion

Collaboration

Resources
Assessment Curriculum Based Measurement www.studentprogress.org National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum (NCAC) www.cast.org/ncac/
The Access Center www.k8accesscenter.org