Differentiation in the HTM Differentiation in the HTM math/science classroommath/science classroom

““Schools are like airport Schools are like airport hubs; student passengers hubs; student passengers arrive from many different arrive from many different

backgrounds for widely backgrounds for widely divergent destinations. divergent destinations.

Their particular takeoffs into Their particular takeoffs into adulthood will demand adulthood will demand different flight plans.”different flight plans.”

What is differentiation?What is differentiation?

Differentiated instruction is Differentiated instruction is responsive instructionresponsive instruction. .

• Teachers become proficient in understanding Teachers become proficient in understanding their students as individuals in order to meet the their students as individuals in order to meet the needs of all learners, regardless of level:needs of all learners, regardless of level:

– IEP, ELL, Gifted, at-risk IEP, ELL, Gifted, at-risk – Kinesthetic, Visual, AuditoryKinesthetic, Visual, Auditory

““Maximize the potential of each learner in a given Maximize the potential of each learner in a given area!”area!”

What the student needs…What the student needs…

• AffirmationAffirmation– Am I safe and accepted here?Am I safe and accepted here?

• ContributionContribution– I made a difference in this place.I made a difference in this place.

• PowerPower– There is dependable support here for my journey.There is dependable support here for my journey.

• PurposePurpose– I see the significance of what we do here.I see the significance of what we do here.

• ChallengeChallenge– The work here compliments my ability and I work The work here compliments my ability and I work

hard.hard.

How the teacher responds…How the teacher responds…

• InvitationInvitation– I have respect for who you are and who you can I have respect for who you are and who you can

becomebecome

• OpportunityOpportunity– I have important things for you to do here todayI have important things for you to do here today

• InvestmentInvestment– I work hard to make this place work for youI work hard to make this place work for you

• PersistencePersistence– There are no excuses here, but there is supportThere are no excuses here, but there is support

• ReflectionReflection– I make sure to use what I learn to help you learn betterI make sure to use what I learn to help you learn better

Curriculum as the vehicle…Curriculum as the vehicle…

• ImportantImportant– What we study is essential to building student understandingWhat we study is essential to building student understanding

• FocusedFocused– Both the teacher and student know why we’re doing what we’re Both the teacher and student know why we’re doing what we’re

doingdoing

• EngagingEngaging– Students most often find meaning in their workStudents most often find meaning in their work

• DemandingDemanding– The work is most often a bit beyond the reach of the learnerThe work is most often a bit beyond the reach of the learner

• ScaffoldedScaffolded– Small and large group instruction focuses on a variety of learner Small and large group instruction focuses on a variety of learner

needs.needs.

Questions… Questions…

• What are some differentiation strategies that you What are some differentiation strategies that you use in your classroom (math/science)?use in your classroom (math/science)?

• How do these strategies meet the needs of ELL, How do these strategies meet the needs of ELL, at-risk, gifted and IEP students?at-risk, gifted and IEP students?

• How do these meet the needs of different types How do these meet the needs of different types of learners: Kinesthetic? Visual? Auditory?of learners: Kinesthetic? Visual? Auditory?

• What strategies do we use in science that What strategies do we use in science that could be translated to math? Vice versa?could be translated to math? Vice versa?

• What is one new strategy that you would What is one new strategy that you would like to try in the coming week… or one like to try in the coming week… or one strategy that you have used in the past but strategy that you have used in the past but would like to bring back?would like to bring back?