Title: Strategies for Differentiating Instruction: Best Practices for the Classroom
1Strategies for Differentiating Instruction Best
Practices for the Classroom
- Julia Link Roberts and Tracy Ford Inman
- The Center for Gifted Studies
- Western Kentucky University
- julia.roberts_at_wku.edu tracy.inman_at_wku.edu
2If during the first five or six years of school,
a child earns good grades and high praise without
having to make much effort, what are all the
things he doesnt learn that most children learn
by third grade?
3What is Differentiation?
- Differentiation is classroom practice that looks
eyeball to eyeball with the reality that kids
differ, and the most effective teachers do
whatever it takes to hook the whole range of kids
on learning. Carol Ann Tomlinson (2005)
4Questions Leading to Appropriate Differentiation
of Instruction
- PLANNING
- What do I want students to know, understand, or
to be able to do? - PREASSESSMENT
- Who already knows and understands the
information and/or can do it? - DIFFERENTIATION
- What can I do for him, her, or them so they can
make continuous progress and extend their
learning?
5A differentiated classroom
- Respects Diversity
- Maintains High Expectations
- Generates Openness
6Teachers Can Differentiate...
- CONTENT
- What do you want the students to know?
- PROCESS
- What do you want the students to do cognitively
with what they know? - PRODUCT
- How can students demonstrate what they have
learned? - ASSESSMENT
- How do you assess what has been learned?
7Bloom Chart
8A Revision to Bloom
- Knowledge
- Comprehension
- Application
- Analysis
- Synthesis
- Evaluation
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyze
- Evaluate
- Create
9What Is It?
- Same topic, different process (verb), content
(basic or complex), and/or product choices - Learning experiences match what students know and
are able to do - Match encourages continuous progress
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12- Create examples of an interesting, unusual way to
use fractions or to teach someone else about
fractions. Select the product to present your
ideas. - Justify learning about fractions in a persuasive
essay or debate. - Compare fractions and decimals on a Venn diagram
or poster. - Organize fractions on a numberline.
- Explain fractions in a discussion or role play.
- Identify fractions on a chart or with pictures.
13When Do I Use It?
- In-class Activity
- Centers
- Unit Assessment
- Optional Learning Experiences
14How Do I Use The Strategy?
- Ask yourself What is it that I want everyone to
know, understand, or be able to do when they walk
out the door? - Create tasks
- Assign options
- Distribute rubrics
15Venn Diagram
16What Is It?
- Differentiation of Process
- Varying tiers of complexity
- Equal participation
- Equal time usage
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21When Do I Use It?
- In Differentiating Process
- Preassessment
- Introduction to New Topic
- Prewriting Strategy
- In-class Individual or Group Activity
- Unit Review or Assessment
- Out-of-class Individual Activity
22How Do I Use the Strategy?
- Ask yourself What concepts do I want everyone to
know when they walk out the door? - Decide the focus
- Hold everyone responsible
- Decide levels and grouping
- Distribute rubrics
- Include everyone in discussion
23Think-tac-toe
24What Is It?
- Purposeful listing of choices
- 6, 9, 12, 16 or more squares
- Identifying columns
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27China Warriors of Xian
- Compare and contrast the burial at Xian with the
burial of another ruler in a different culture,
producing a Venn diagram or an essay. (Written) - Describe the warriors of Xian and their story in
a dialogue or illustrated story. (Oral or Visual) - Apply what you know about the burial customs of
emperors in China that led to the burial site at
Xian in an illustrated essay or a model with
explanation. (Kinesthetic or Written)
28Egypt Pharaohs and Pyramids
- In a series of paintings, depict basic religious
beliefs the Egyptians held that can be surmised
through their leaders burials. (Visual) - Construct a model depicting a typical pyramid of
a pharaoh. (Kinesthetic) - Become an Egyptian architect and design a tomb
for a pharaoh. Present your ideas to the pharaoh
through a role play or written proposal. (Oral or
Visual)
29Ethics and Beyond
- Defend your judgment in response to the following
statement in a debate an editorial burial sites
are sacred and should remain untouched. (Oral or
Written) - Create burial customs that include art and
artifacts for another culture. You may select the
product that will let you express your ideas.
(Any) - Chart major discoveries and insights about
ancient civilizations that stem from
archeological excavation of burial sites. (Visual)
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31When Do I Use It?
- Optional Learning Experience
- Project to Accompany Unit
- Unit Review or Assessment
32How Do I Differentiate with Think-Tac-Toes?
- Learning Style
- Multiple Intelligence
- Interest
- Level of Ability or Readiness
- Levels of Thinking
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35Executive Less Challenging
- Design a multimedia presentation exploring the
life and views of a past governor or president. - Create a brochure explaining the presidents or
governors duties and duties of their cabinets. - Draw a timeline highlighting critical events that
occurred during a presidents term of office and
explain their importance.
36Executive More Challenging
- Create a series of political cartoons
highlighting major issues under the current
presidents or governors tenure. - Role playing either the president or the
governor, describe your duties and some of the
main issues youve faced. - Analyze the campaign platforms for two main
candidates in a presidential or gubernatorial
campaign. Present the findings in a product of
your choice.
37Legislative Less Challenging
- Create a chart outlining the membership of the
legislative branch on either the state or federal
level. - Create ten interview questions for a legislator
focusing on duties and issues. Interview a
legislator. - Explain the process of making a bill into law.
Use a product of your choice.
38Legislative More Challenging
- Develop a campaign platform for the ideal
legislative candidate. Present it in a multimedia
format. - In a monologue with your local legislator
listening, argue whether a particular bill should
be passed. - Write a script for a mock Senate Congressional
hearing.
39Judicial Less Challenging
- Research and compose short biographical sketches
of each Supreme Court Justice. - Create a flow chart that outlines the steps a
court case must take in order to reach the
federal Supreme Court. - Create a political cartoon concerning a
controversial Supreme Court ruling.
40Judicial More Challenging
- Observe a court proceeding and record your
impressions as either a journalist covering the
case or the court illustrator. - Prepare and present the opening argument for a
case of your choice. - Read the decision of a controversial court case.
Write an opinion piece either agreeing or
disagreeing with the outcome.
41How Do I Use the Strategy?
- Ask yourself What concepts do I want everyone to
know when they walk out the door? - Create rows be intentional
- Hold everyone responsible
- Encourage challenge as students choose
- Distribute rubrics
- Assess be creative
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