Differentiation is a crucial part of instruction. In the classroom I have found different methods to be successful to differentiate for students. Differentiation based on data gathered from both formative and summative assessments. Differentiation will occur based on ability during small group, explicit instruction. This is typically done in guided reading groups, word study groups, and in guided math groups. Differentiation in my classroom will occur in all types of explicit instruction and independent work.
Differentiation is creating the ability for the classroom to adapt to the student. This means, when possible, the teacher can adjust four areas in order to better help their student to be the most successful. These areas include content, process, product, and learning environment.
Differentiation in the classroom based on content will include material students are responsible for learning and knowing. For example, a student in the letter name word study group would not be held accountable for knowing digraphs and blends, rather they would be responsible for knowing letter name sounds. As such, this group would be based on ability level.
Allowing students to choose the method through which they learn new content would allow for differentiation based on learning style. This means that the teacher will provide material in a variety of formats for student consumption. While some students learn by doing, others learn by listening or watching. For example, some students are better at learning multiplication through watching the teacher, peers, or a video model the steps in drawing an array, while others are able to memorize facts, and some prefer to use counters or other manipulatives, and some need to verbally explain what they are doing in order to best understand what they have learned. These groups would be created based on student learning style.
Differentiating based on product would allow students to demonstrate their learning in the way that works best for each student. Examples of differentiated products could include writing a song about the parts of an animal, drawing a diagram, or writing a paragraph about the different parts of an animal. Allowing students to demonstrate their learning in different ways helps them to understand the material better.
Learning environment can also be differentiated in the classroom setting. While traditionally instruction was given in a whole class setting, it is important that students work independently, and in small groups. Small groups can be differentiated by ability level, interests, and amount of collaboration necessary and that the student is capable of while returning an acceptable product.
Differentiation is a key factor when it comes to student success. As such, differentiation will play a large role in all instruction.