Introduction to Differentiated Instruction

1. Introduction toDifferentiated Instruction Paula Hagan Instructional Coordinator Northside Elementary paula.hagan@desotoisd.org

2. Why Differentiate? • This is the key to drive student achievement! • It is how wemeet ALL learners’ needs in the classroom • We are ALL accountable for student growth and achievement

3. So what exactly is DIFFERENTIATION?

4. Differentiated Instruction is a teacher’s response to learner’s needs guided by general principles of differentiation such as:

5. Teachers can differentiate:

6. Teachers can differentiate according to student’s

7. Teachers can differentiate through a range of instructional and management strategies • Anchor Activities • Complex Instruction • Cubing • Extension Menu (tic tac toe) • Flexible Grouping • Independent Study • Interest Centers • Jigsaw • Learning Contracts • Multiple Intelligences • Portfolio • Pre/Post Assessment • Product Options • Tiered Lessons • Tiered Centers • Varied Homework • Varied Questioning

8. Differentiation:

9. 3 Ways to Differentiate: • Through… • Content: Alter what is being taught • Product: Alter what will be produced after instruction • Process: Alter the steps used to achieve the goal *As a teacher, you will pick one of these areas to modify for groups of students or even on an individual basis if applicable in your class. Don’t forget, Differentiation is not INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION! It is meeting the needs of all learners by using multiple methods of teaching the same skills/indicators.

10. What is my role as the teacher? • Determine the core concepts and key skills to be learned (CScope) • Determine the most important aspects of a unit that should be included for each child

11. Quality Differentiation Activities: • Lead to the same or similar activities • Are equally engaging • Push students to achieve • Students have a clear understanding of the skill they are working on • Data is being used to decide what activity next and for which kids

12. Teachers Have Choices Too Low Prep Activities High Prep Activities Tiered activities + products Multiple intelligence options Alternative assessments Group investigations Spelling by readiness Personal agendas Literature circles Games and tournaments Think-Tac-Toe Choice boards Interest groups Independent research and projects Stations Leveled rubrics • Choices of books • Homework options • Use of reading buddies • Varied journal prompts • Varied anchor options • Goal setting with students • Work alone/together • Flexible seating • Varied supplementary materials • Open-ended activities • Jigsaw • Mini workshops to reteach or extend skills • Varied product choices

13. Assessment and differentiation • Assessment FOR Learning • Formative and Summative assessments • “Differentiation isn’t more assessment, just looking at everything as an assessment.” –Carol Tomlinson

14. High Prep: Tiered Lessons • This is advanced differentiation (create a lesson with various “levels” of content/process/product) • This is the foundation for all differentiated strategies • Be patient – try it a little at a time and it will gradually become second nature!

15. What I have learned: • Be strategic!!! • Just because I “did” the strategies didn’t mean I used them in the right way or with the right kids • Use data in planning instruction!!! • Don’t assume you know who will do well on a new topic – pre-assess! • Use the assessments you already have • Involve the kids in reviewing assessments (graph progress)

16. Questions???