Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated Instruction goes by many names, but we all have the desire to reach the needs of all learners, especially our most vulnerable.

Below is an excerpt from Reading Rockets on examples of differentiation.

"Content

Examples of differentiating content at the elementary level include the following:

1. Using reading materials at varying readability levels;
2. Putting text materials on tape;
3. Using spelling or vocabulary lists at readiness levels of students;
4. Presenting ideas through both auditory and visual means;
5. Using reading buddies; and
6. Meeting with small groups to re-teach an idea or skill for struggling learners, or to extend the thinking or skills of advanced learners.

Process

Examples of differentiating process or activities at the elementary level include the following:

1. Using tiered activities through which all learners work with the same important understandings and skills, but proceed with different levels of support, challenge, or complexity;
2. Providing interest centers that encourage students to explore subsets of the class topic of particular interest to them;
3. Developing personal agendas (task lists written by the teacher and containing both in-common work for the whole class and work that addresses individual needs of learners) to be completed either during specified agenda time or as students complete other work early;
4. Offering manipulatives or other hands-on supports for students who need them; and
5. Varying the length of time a student may take to complete a task in order to provide additional support for a struggling learner or to encourage an advanced learner to pursue a topic in greater depth.

Products

Examples of differentiating products at the elementary level include the following:

1. Giving students options of how to express required learning (e.g., create a puppet show, write a letter, or develop a mural with labels);
2. Using rubrics that match and extend students' varied skills levels;
3. Allowing students to work alone or in small groups on their products; and
4. Encouraging students to create their own product assignments as long as the assignments contain required elements.

Learning environment

Examples of differentiating learning environment at the elementary level include:

1. Making sure there are places in the room to work quietly and without distraction, as well as places that invite student collaboration;
2. Providing materials that reflect a variety of cultures and home settings;
3. Setting out clear guidelines for independent work that matches individual needs;
4. Developing routines that allow students to get help when teachers are busy with other students and cannot help them immediately; and
5. Helping students understand that some learners need to move around to learn, while others do better sitting quietly (Tomlinson, 1995, 1999; Winebrenner, 1992, 1996)."

To continue reading this article, visit this website: Reading Rockets

"Differentiation can be defined as a way of teaching in which teachers proactively modify curriculum, teaching methods, resources, learning activities, and student products. The needs of individual students and/or small groups of students are addressed to maximize the learning opportunity for each student in the classroom."

— Tomlinson, et al.

"Differentiation is changing the pace, level or kind of instruction you provide in response to individual learner needs, styles, or interest."

— Dr. Diane Heacox

"Differentiation is…

• Having high expectations for all students
• Adjustment of the core content
• Assigning activities geared to different learning styles, interests, and levels of thinking
• Providing students with choices about what and how they learn
• Flexible because teachers move students in and out of groups based upon students' instructional needs
• Acknowledgment of individual needs
• Articulated, high level goals reflecting continuous progress
• Assessment to determine student growth and new needs
• Adjustment of curriculum by complexity, breadth, and rate
• Educational experiences which extend, replace, or supplement standard curriculum

Differentiation is not…

• Individual learning plans for each student
• More problems, questions, or assignments
• Get it on your own
• Recreational reading
• Independent reading without curriculum connections
• Free time to draw or practice your talent
• Cooperative learning groups where the gifted kid gets to be the leader
• Activities that all students will be able to do
• Interest centers unless linked to core content and at a complex level"

Taken from Reading Rockets. Visit the website for more information!