Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD - GMU1 Differentiating Instruction Marjorie Hall Haley, Ph.D. George Mason University

Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD - GMU

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Differentiating Instruction

Marjorie Hall Haley, Ph.D.

George Mason University


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K-W-L This is what I know about

Differentiating Instruction (DI) This is what I want to know

about DI This is what I learned about DI


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Differentiation is….

Creating different opportunities within the same curriculum

Putting students in situations where they don’t know the answer – often

Differing the product from simple to complex

Differing the process from concrete to abstract


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Differentiation is……

Differing the content from below to above grade level

Differing the pace from slow to accelerated


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Differentiation isn’t…..

Creating more work (extra credit or “do this when you’re done.”)

Using higher standards when grading

Giving the same work, but expecting more

Providing free-time challenge activities


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Differentiation isn’t…..

Using capable students as tutors to classmates

Using individualized instruction exclusively


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Carol Tomlinson, Ph.D.

“Differentiation calls on us to make big leaps in the way we think about the classroom and curriculum. It takes a willingness to be a teacher who partners with kids in teaching and learning – who’s more of a facilitator than a dictator. It challenges the sense that curriculum is just coverage of facts.”


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How Do I Differentiate?

Keep the focus on concepts, emphasizing understanding and sense-making

Use ongoing assessments of readiness and interests – preassess to find students needing more support and those who can excel

Make grouping flexible. Move between whole-group, groups, and individuals.


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Why should I differentiate? There is strong evidence that

meeting students where they are and addressing their needs is more likely to make their learning efficient and effective.


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Meet the diverse needs of ALL our learners

Multiple Intelligences, IEPs and 504 plans, learning styles, cultural and linguistic differences

Address the Standards (local, state, and national)


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Daily, weekly, monthly, yearly Teachers move away from seeing

themselves as keepers and dispensers of knowledge

Teachers move toward seeing themselves as organizers of learning opportunities

Teachers organize classes for effective activity with a concentration on exploration


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Rules of Thumb – How to differentiate Be clear on the key concepts and

generalizations Every lesson should emphasize

critical thinking Every lesson should be engaging Provide a balance between student-

selected and teacher assigned tasks and working arrangements


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Differentiating involves 3 aspects of the curriculum

Content Process Products


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3 Aspects of Differentiating Content: refers to concepts, principles,

and skills that teachers want students to learn

Process: refers to the activities that help students make sense of, and come to own, the ideas and skills being taught

Products: refers to culminating projects that allow students to demonstrate and extend what they have learned


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Strategies for DI

Stations Compacting Agendas Complex Instruction Orbital Studies Entry Points


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Strategies for DI

Problem-based Learning Choice Boards


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What does a differentiated classroom look like?

Teachers begin where the students are Teachers engage students in

instruction through different learning modalities

A student competes more against him/herself than others

Teachers provide ways for each individual to learn

Teachers use classroom time flexibly


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Where do I go for help?

www.nctm.org/standards/ www.mcrel.org/products/noteworth

y/barbaram.asp www.reading/org/links/lit_tp.html Ericec.org/ www.sricboces.org/Goals2000/


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Where do we go from Where do we go from here?here? Set clear expectations for student-

centered responsive instruction Create mentoring opportunities

between and among your colleagues Look to teachers who practice DI to

provide models Start slowly and purposefully – don’t

take on any more than you’re ready for!


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Have Fun!


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Differentiating Instruction:Something you are already doing to Meet All Your Students Needs


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THE ENDTHE END


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THANK THANK YOU!!YOU!!


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Differentiating Curricular elements

Content: refers to “input” of the unit – ideas, concepts, information and facts

Process: refers to the ways students make their own sense of the content or input. Process is the how of teaching


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Product Product is the output of the unit

or the ways students demonstrate their understanding of the content: role-plays, multimedia presentations, brochures, plays, songs, graphic organizers, posters, research papers, essays, videos, etc.


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When organizing a differentiated lesson, ask

these ?’s What are the key concepts

that every student must know, understand, and be able to do?

What is being differentiated? (content, process, product)

How is this lesson being differentiated? (readiness, interests, learning profiles)


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Why is this lesson being differentiated? (motivation, access, efficiency)


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THINK/PAIR/SHARE 1. How can you create a learning

environment that supports differentiation of instruction?

How can you prepare students for differentiation of instruction?

What can you do to help students understand their learning differences?


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DI Terms Anchoring Activities: These are

done at the beginning of the class period. The teacher provides students with options of things they may work on as an initial exercise. Usually they are a series of tasks. Students move from task to the next as they are completed.


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DI Terms Adjusting Questions: These can

be in the form of a daily quiz or question/answer period during which time the teacher determines comprehension of previous class work. The teacher can target interest, readiness, and level of complexity of students.


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DI Terms Tiered Assignments: Providing

students a variety of choices, depending on degree of interest, readiness, and complexity.


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DI Terms Learning Contracts: Students

are provided with a listing of which tasks are to be completed.

Flexible Grouping: Teachers group students according to mixed readiness and/or interest.


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K-W-L Differentiated Instruction

This is what I know. This is what I want to know. This is what I learned.

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Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD - GMU1 Differentiating Instruction Marjorie Hall Haley, Ph.D. George Mason University