Tier One: Differentiation, and Scaffolding

This section of the site will highlight different ways to differentiate your instruction for Tier One, based on student readiness, interest, and learning profile. The more you do this, the more SCARF you are giving to your students.

One way to ensure that Tier 1 intervention is rigorous, core instruction for all students, everyday is DIFFERENTIATION.

Understanding Differentiation

It's not as hard or as time consuming as you may think.

Being Creative with Diverse Learners

How do we differentiate in every classroom, not matter what the content?

Many ways to differentiate!!!

These forms of differentiation can all be used within Tier 1 instruction, as well as Tiers 2 and 3. All interventions given to students can be given in one or more of the FOUR ways to deliver instruction:

  1. S - small groups

  2. W - whole group

  3. A - alone

  4. P - partner

SWAP Guide

SWAP Guide

The document to the left is a SWAP guide created by our district, which contains instructional strategies and classroom setup suggstions for differentiation through various groupings.

Scaffolding is Part of Tier 1

One way to differentiate for ALL of our learners is SCAFFOLDING. Just as when we think about SWAP, we think about different ways and modalities for scaffolding. This is shown in the image to the left, which shows some sample scaffolds for ELLs, or English Language Learners.

Gradual Release is the format for scaffolding...

Gradual Release = I DO (the teacher models), WE DO (the students join the teacher in doing the skill), and then YOU DO (students engage in the skill independently).

Gradual Release Scaffolding

This "I, We You" model through focused and guided instruction scaffolds and supports all learners in the classroom, through Tier 1 and beyond.

The Process of Gradual Release

This Gradual Release happens in Tier 1, for all students, and can also be used with the instructor or specialist in Tiers 2 or 3.

Gradual Release involves demonstration, shared practice, guided practice, and then independent practice.

Show Me, Help Me, Let Me!

This video outlines the Gradual Release of Responsibility, explains modeling, and the role of the teacher and student.

This is a strategy that is scaffolding that many teachers may already be using and not even know it!