E nhancing Y our I nstructional S kills Through D ifferentiation Melissa Storm The Access Center.

Enhancing Your Instructional Skills Through Differentiation

Melissa Storm

The Access Center

Session Overview

• Introduction

• Differentiation Strategies

• Practice

• Practical Issues

• Collaboration

• Next Steps

Why Differentiate?

• All kids are different.

• One size does not fit all.

• Differentiation provides all students with access to all curriculum.

What is Differentiation?

• A teacher’s response to learner needs

• The recognition of students’ varying background knowledge and preferences

• Instruction that appeals to students’ differences

Content Process Product

According to Students’

Readiness InterestLearningProfile

Teachers Can Differentiate

Adapted from The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (Tomlinson, 1999)

Comparing Traditional and Differentiated Classrooms

• Addressing student differences

• Use of assessment

• Use of student interest and learning style

Comparing Traditional and Differentiated Classrooms

• Instructional format

• Assignment options

• Factors guiding instruction

Discussion Question

What are you already doing to differentiate instruction in your classroom?

Differentiation Strategies

• All strategies are aligned with instructional goals and objectives

• Specific strategies are selected based on – Focus of instruction– Focus of differentiation

Example of a Differentiated Classroom

Judy Rex’s Classroom in Scottsdale, AZ

3rd-4th grade multi-age class

Children from 2nd grade reading level through high school

Some Differentiation Strategies

• Choice Boards

• Tiered Activities

• Learning Contracts

Differentiation Strategies

1. Develop a two-sentence summary of your strategy.

2. Provide an example of how the strategy could be used in your classroom.

Reading/Language Arts – Compacting

Math – Independent Study

Science – Interest Centers or Interest Groups

Social Studies/History – Flexible Grouping

Case Studies

• What aspects of differentiation do you see?

• Which techniques could you use in your classroom? How?

• What questions or concerns came up?

Differentiation Practice

Assessment in the Differentiated Classroom

• Ongoing

• Instruction-dependent

• Student-dependent

• Informs continued instruction

Where do I Go From Here?Some Tips for Implementing

Differentiation in your Classroom

• Start slowly• Organize your classroom space

Teacher Station 1

Teacher Station

2

Group

AssignmentsSchedule

Inboxes

Bookshelf

Where do I Go From Here?Some Tips for Implementing

Differentiation in your Classroom

• Start student files• Start student portfolios• Use a clipboard• Use of technology• Start class with familiar tasks• Use task cards, a tape recorder, or an

overhead for directions• Have systems for student questions

Implementing Differentiated Instruction in your District or School

• Start with Committed Staff

• Look for Existing Resources/Infrastructure

• Start with One or Two Strategies

• Try it and Be Willing to Alter and Extend

Implementing Differentiated Instruction: Additional Considerations

• Administrative Support to Teachers

• Professional Development

• Adequate Planning Time

Collaborating Effectively

General Education and Special Education

• Interpersonal Communication

• Physical Arrangement

• Curriculum

• Classroom Management

Collaborating Effectively

Teachers and Instructional Assistants

• Communicate

• Schedules

• Share classroom experiences

• Share responsibility for students

Investing Students

• Student “buy-in”

• Provide choice

• Allow students to assess their own mastery

• Adjust physical environment

• Increase student responsibility

Where do I Go From Here?• Support networks

– Online discussion forum

http://www.k8accesscenter.org What’s New > Effective Classroom Strategies

Discussion

• Collaboration

Resources

• Assessment– Curriculum Based Measurement www.studentprogress.org

• National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum (NCAC)

www.cast.org/ncac/

• The Access Center www.k8accesscenter.org