Tips and Strategies for Using Differentiation in

the Classroom Presented by:

Akevy Greenblatt

Who Am I Who Am I

●Rabbi Akevy Greenblatt is currently the Judaic Studies Lower School Principal at the Margolin Hebrew Academy in Memphis TN and has been named as the incoming Principal for Ohr Chadash Academy in Baltimore MD. Rabbi Greenblatt has been involved in education for the last 20 years and is a leading change agent in trying to incorporate 21st Century skills with Judaic studies. He believes that meeting students' needs and differentiated instruction are at the core of teaching. Akevy is one of the founders and moderators for #jedchat as well as a member of Connected Principals and a frequent presenter at conferences. You can learn more about Akevy from his “Principals Post” at agreenblatt.blogspot.com and by following him on Twitter@Akevy613

OverviewOverview

● Today many of us use terms like differentiated Instruction and 21st Century skills.

● But do we all fully understand what they mean? ● To some it may seem as though we are changing what we

teach and adding to how we teach. ● In this webinar, we will show that differentiating

instruction and meeting the needs of students is not something new, but something we do all the time.

● It is just good teaching. We’ll discuss some ideas, tips, and strategies that you can use to help make this happen.

What IS Differentiated Instruction ?

Meeting the needs of more of our Students More of the Time

Why this definition ?

What do we want for our StudentsWhat do we want for our Students

● Engaged● Reach his/her potential ● Be active learners● Love of learning● Motivated● Interested● Life long learners

Nothing New But HowNothing New But How

● Meet their needs ● Individualize the learning● Teach towards their interests● Pace

In other words “DIFFERENTIATE”

Something To Remember

. Change your expectations.One size does not fit all. Not everyone fits the traditional mould of school, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn. You might need to change what you do. Remember you teach people, not subjects.

http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/10-ways-to-differentiate-learning/

Responsive TeachingResponsive Teaching

To Understand Students DifferencesD.I. Video

Ideas to Remember when Differentiating

Add More

1. Let go.•Give the students (at least some) ownership of their learning. •Don’t always be the boss of the class, be part of the community of learners. •Don’t make all the decisions. •Allow choice. •Encourage students to think about how they learn best. •Have students decide how to demonstrate their learning.

http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/10-ways-to-differentiate-learning/

● 2. Use technology creatively.• Blogging, • film making, • global interactions,• social media, • photography, • gaming (and much more!) all provide naturally differentiated opportunities for

learners with varied levels of ability, different interests and special talents.

3. Care about what matters to them.● Encourage learners to follow their interests. ● Know their story. Make their learning

relevant. Connect with their passions… or help them to discover what they might be.

IMPORTANT KEYS TO REMEMBERIMPORTANT KEYS TO REMEMBER

● We Still must teach the basic ( If someone doesn’t like to write doesn’t mean he never has to write)

● Must Find a Balance● We must as Teachers be willing to Try and

FAIL

HOW CAN WE DIFFERENTIATEHOW CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE

● Jigsaw● I have who has ● Tic Tac Toe ● Open ended projects● Give Students Choices ● Centers and small group instruction● Anchor Activities

BenefitsBenefits

● Small Group instruction● More engaged learners● Students have more ownership over their

learning● Share and add your own

What Teachers and Admins Say:What Teachers and Admins Say:

● If what we teach diminishes who we teach and erodes how we teach, we are no longer teaching. - Tomlinson, 2001

● If there is any one secret to an enduring great teacher, it is the ability to manage continuity and change at the same time- a discipline that must be consciously practiced. - Mark Walker - The George Washington University

● "A school for all kinds of minds will not label its students." - Dr. Mel Levine, founder of All Kinds of Minds Institute

● The success of education depends on adapting teaching to individual differences among learners. - Yeuzheng, 4th Century BC Chinese Treatise, Xue Ji

Bottom LineBottom Line

There are no silver bullets or easy answers but if we truly care about our students ( Which we all do ) then we should want to do what ever we can do to help them succeed as individuals.

A Final ThoughtA Final ThoughtThe Animal School: A Fable

by George Reavis

http://www.janebluestein.com/handouts/animal.html

The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. In the climbing class, he beat all the others to the top of the tree but insisted on using his own way to get there.At the end of the year, an abnormal eel that could swim exceeding well and also run, climb and fly a little had the highest average and was valedictorian.The prairie dogs stayed out of school and fought the tax levy because the administration would not add digging and burrowing to the curriculum. They apprenticed their children to a badger and later joined the groundhogs and gophers to start a successful private school.Does this fable have a moral?

Note: This story was written when George Reavis was the Assistant Superintendent of the Cincinnati Public Schools back in the 1940s! This content is in the public domain and free to copy, duplicate, and distribute. If you would prefer a full-color, illustrated book, one is currently available from Crystal Springs Books at 1-800-321-0401 or 603-924-9621 (fax 603-924-6688)

Contact Information Contact Information Rabbi Akevy GreenblattEmail: rabbigreenblatt@gmail.comTwitter: @akevy613Blog post: Principal Post agreenblatt.blogspot.com