Title: Strategies for Differentiating Instruction
1Strategies for Differentiating Instruction
2What would you like to get out of this session?
- What question(s) do you have about strategies for
differentiation? - What is one area in which you would like some
help?
3The Importance of Procedures
- Students know what is expected
- Problems are avoided before they have a chance to
occur - Interruptions are minimized
- Routines, once they have been internalized by
students, are easier to share with others, such
as guest teachers
4Teaching a Procedure
- Explain
- Model
- Practice
- Feedback
5Quiet Signals
- Stop what you are doing
- Wait quietly
- Keep your hands free
- Look at the speaker
- Listen
6The 3 Rs
7Strategies to Support Group Work
8Empathy ModelingMaking Positive Class Climate a
Priority
- 4 Indicators of Respectful Behavior
- Tone of Voice
- Choice of Words
- Body Language
- Facial Expression
9Empathy Activity 10
- Find your partner in the room. The two of you
will have compatible numbers which sum to 10. -
10Teaching to the Team
- Present a problem to the group. It should be
something they will need to think about (a level
3 question or a challenge) - The groups assignment is to explain to the rest
of the room how they are going to solve the
problem, that is their approach to solving the
problem (First, we will) - Each member of the group, going around the table,
will have to contribute one part of the solution.
Everyone needs to speak. - The group must work together to plan their oral
presentation.
11Team Task
- What is the fewest number of pennies I could
have? Use the following information and explain
how you got your answer. - When I put them in 2 equal stacks, theres one
penny left over. - When I put them in 3 equal stacks, theres one
penny left over. - When I put them in 4 equal stacks, theres one
penny left over. - From Good Questions for Math Teaching Why Ask
Them and What to Ask, Grades 58
12The 3 Rs
13Put in your two cents worth!
Its gonna cost ya!
Idea from Sharon Boudreau Math Facilitator Cape
Breton-Victoria School Board
14The Purpose of an Anchor Activity is to
Provide meaningful work for students when they
finish an assignment or project, when they first
enter the class or when they are
stumped. Provide ongoing tasks that tie to the
content and instruction. Free up the classroom
teacher to work with other groups of students or
individuals.
15Anchor Activities
- Using existing resources for anchor activities
- Keeping an open mind about activities
- Student-created anchor activities
16Resources for Anchor Activities
- Open-ended questions (little purple book)
- I Get It activities
- Website exploration (bookmarked sites)
- Math Journal writing
- Choice Charts completion
- Manipulative activities exploring tangrams,
pattern blocks, pentominoes, etc. - Cribbage, Chess, Jigsaw puzzles
- 24
- Math Makes Sense Centre Suggestions
17Introducing an anchor
- Explain how to do the activity and how to track
it - Model it with the whole class
- Practice with half the class
- Feedback and try again
- with the other half
18Operation Card Game
Total
Difficulty Level
4
All numbers must be used along with any operation
to reach the total
12
2
4
4 4 1 1 x 12 12 12 x 2 24
19Strategies to Support Independent Work
20Im Stuck Form
- Date ____________________ Assigned
Activity____________________________________ - Problem
- __________________________________________________
___________________________ - 3 strategies tried to solve the problem
- __________________________________________________
___________________________ - __________________________________________________
___________________________ - __________________________________________________
___________________________ - Anchor activity selected
- __________________________________________________
___________________________
21General Tracking Format
- Date ________________ Activity
chosen____________________ - My comments, questions, discoveries
- __________________________________________________
_____ - __________________________________________________
_____ - __________________________________________________
_____ - __________________________________________________
_____
22Sample Tracking Form for Website Work
- Website ___________________________________
- Select an activity to investigate. Record what
you have done and the results using words,
illustrations and numbers. - Date ________________ Activity
chosen____________________ - My comments
- __________________________________________________
_____ - __________________________________________________
_____ - __________________________________________________
_____ - __________________________________________________
_____
23Post Directions Anchor Charts
What to do while Im waiting Check my math folder for unfinished work Read a math book Choose a math puzzle or challenge activity Write in my math journal
- Should be specific.
- Reinforces oral directions.
- Eliminates many housekeeping questions.
- Guides students to manage time.
24Posting the Schedule
- Helps keep everyone one task.
- Gives time limit for teacher-led group and group
working independently. - Guides students to prioritize their work.
900 Mental Math 915 Independent Stations 945
Plenary Discussion 1000 Phys Ed 1030
Recess 1045 Literature Circles
25R.I.C.E.
- Recall what your teacher said.
- Imagine logically what the directions would be.
- Check with a classmate.
- See theexpert for help.
From The Differentiated Classroom Responding to
the Needs of All Learners by Carol Ann Tomlinson,
l999
26Ask 3 Before Me
- Students consult three other students or
resources (e.g., Word Wall, anchor chart,
directions on board) before coming to teacher.
27Dont BUG ME hat!
- A visual cue helps students remember not to
interrupt.
Idea from Marie-Ève St-Pierre grade 5 teacher
École St.Catherines School HRSB
28Doctor is In
- ________________
- ________________
- ________________
From The Differentiated Classroom Responding to
the Needs of All Learners by Carol Ann Tomlinson,
l999
29Other Considerations
30Organization, Distribution and Collection of
Materials
- Colour
- Number
- Labels
- Tracking
- Storage
31Sample Notebook
- Provides a template for student notebooks
- Maintains a clean paper copy
- Creates a space to store labeled sheets for
absent students
32Storage of Student Work
Math Journals
Ongoing Math Activities
Tracking Sheets
Homework
33Storage of Math Manipulatives
Storage for easy access Thinker Tools
Math Kit
34Storage for activities and notebooks
35Celebrate Success!
- Memorable Monthly Math Moments
36Literacy Connections
- Many of the strategies we use in literacy classes
can be adopted or adapted to meet the needs of a
math classroom - Think of one differentiation strategy teachers
use in the teaching of reading and writing - Discuss your idea with a partner
- Be prepared to share an idea with the group
37Some Final Thoughts...
38- Be clear about why you are differentiating
student readiness, interest, learning profile - Understand that differentiation is critical for
student success, but is not feasible all the time
39- Start small!
- Be flexible.
- Dont give up!
40Revisit, Review, Reflect
- What is one new idea that you would like to try?
- What question do you still have about strategies
for the differentiated classroom?