What is differentiation?

Is not new Its not a return to individualized

instruction Its not hard to do Its not an additional thing to do on top of

teaching-its an integrated way to approach planning and teaching

There is no “right way” to do it. You’re already doing it! It’s preparing ahead of time for the kids

you know you’ll have It’s not waiting for kid to “pop up” who

needs differentiation. It’s an outlook/framework It’s not asking you to plan, teach, and

then differentiate.

Definition of Differentiation

Finding ways for kids to be successful.

Going around obstacles to get to the objective.

Position the floor appropriately for each student.

Remove all ceilings.

Close off some rooms when necessary

Parents want…

Acknowledgement of mastery

Forward progression

Role of Traditional Classroom

Differentiated Classroom

Teacher Dispenser of information

Coordinator, facilitator

Student Receptacle for information

Decision maker, sense maker

Curriculum Topics to be covered Concepts, generalizations, skills explored in various ways

Instruction Single pace, single set of materials, single mode of assessment, assessment as end point

Varied pace, multiple materials, alternative assessments, ongoing assessment used to modify plans

Tomlinson

Who is already Differentiating? Spelling pretests with menu of choices

– Page 18 of Winebrenner’s book has list Kinesthetic learning for those who need

it Most Difficult First Grade by working backwards Make extensions

– Move away from cute and go to VIGOR

Who is grouping by interests?– Write name on cards with the topic they

are most interested in. (EX: body systems) Who is using pretests?

Pre-assessments

Objective driven Varied formats

– Multiple choice– Open-ended– Interest surveys

Purpose/Use of pre-assessment– Group by readiness– Assess prior knowledge– Preview for upcoming unit

Type of Pre-Assessment:Carouseling

It’s a K-W-L for whole class Put topics around the room on big paper Walk around in groups and write what

they know Different color marker for each group

The Granddaddy of Differentiation

Tiered Activities

Goes back to the one-room schoolhouse model

Low

Middle

High

How to Tier

Add Enrichment questions Apply Bloom Provide various resources Reformat materials *Don’t reinvent the wheel! Use what

you already have!

Differentiating by Choice

Content Process Product

Mandated Choice Choice

Choice Mandated Choice

Choice Choice Mandated

Mandated Mandated Mandated

Whining

Provide choice for all students Explain differences early in the year,

and the fact they are ok. Mix things up!

– Differentiate between interests instead of ability

– Differentiate by learning styles or MI

There are times when some things aren’t an option.

Always clear choices with teacher.

Raise your hand if you are fluent in another language

Put your hand down if you are a foreign language teacher

The rest of us are LD in that language

Gifted Kids

Won’t do OUR work.

Let’s look at the bell curve

Where do you think teaching occurs?

We feel comfortable giving support to the struggling

School is for the average

What about the rest?