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What is differentiation?
What is differentiation?
Simply put, differentiation is tailoring lessons to meet the needs of different learners in your classroom.
There are three areas of a lesson that allow for differentiation: content, process, and product.
Content is what you teach. Giving students different books based on their Lexile is an example of differentiation by content.
Process is how you teach. Using groups or altering the learning environment are examples of differentiation by process. Note--some theories consider the learning environment to be a separate area for differentiation unto itself.
Product is how kids show what they have learned. Using choice boards is an example of product differentiation.
You can use one or a combination of these methods to differentiate for the various learners in your classroom.
Elements of Differentiation
Elements of Differentiation
Differentiation begins with pre-assessments to determine students' knowledge. This can be as simple as a KWL chart, or it can be as complex as a full pre-test of content. The goal is to best determine what your students know before the lesson or unit.
The teacher should then examine the pre-assessment results and recognize the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. This can involve looking at ability levels, learning styles, interests, and the like.
The teacher should then determine what methods will best serve the diverse needs in the classroom. Should content be altered? Process? Product? All three? Should students be grouped? Should instruction be flipped? How can technology be used effectively? These are the elements most teachers think of when they think of differentiation, but they cannot be implemented until the previous steps have been completed.
Effective differentiation requires continuous monitoring of student learning. Teachers need to focus on formative assessments to determine the success of learning outcomes.
General Differentiation Resources
General Differentiation Resources
What is Differentiated Instruction?--https://differentiationcentral.com/what-is-differentiated-instruction/
The Equalizer--https://pdo.ascd.org/LMSCourses/PD11OC138M/media/DI-Instruction_M5_Reading_Equalizer.pdf Provides a rubric/scale to help determine how you have differentiated your lesson
The Equalizer--https://www.georgiastandards.org/resources/Online%20High%20School%20Math%20Training%20Materials/Math-II-Session-7-The-Equalizer-Document.pdf One page summary
Helpful Structures and Strategies for the Differentiated Class--Book chapter outlining strategies such as flexible grouping, tiering, etc.
PD module on Differentiating Instruction by Vanderbilt University--https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/di/#content
Florida Center for Reading Research: Differentiated Instruction--https://fcrr.org/reading-success/differentiated-instruction
Chapter 1 of Assessment and Student Success in a Differentiated Classroom--http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/108028/chapters/Differentiation@-An-Overview.aspx
Curriculum Compacting--Tips and videos for successfully implementing curriculum compacting.
20 Differentiated Instruction Strategies and Examples
The Differentiator--a tool to help write differentiated objectives
Specific Strategies For Use With Advanced Learners
Specific Strategies For Use With Advanced Learners
Universal Themes
Genius Hour
Novel Engineering
Incorporating Creativity
Blue and Pink Colorful Edgy School Classroom Newsletter.pdfPage updated
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