Differentiated Instruction 101

Grant Beacon Middle School Professional DevelopmentJanet Draper 8.31.2011

Why DI?

• students work up to their potential & pursue their interests

• teachers proactively plan targeted instruction,

• fits well with RtI, TLC, LEAP• teachers stay up to date with demands of

the profession• collaborate, use 21st century tools, master

teacher

DI

1. Concept-based learning2. Meets students’ diverse needs3. Fits with new standards and curriculum

What is DI?

• Vary:

• content • pace • products

Before starting DI

Know your students– interests, abilities, skill levels, strengths

Besides your students

• know your curriculum

- content = unit objectives & your goals - pace - extensions

Organize to adjustcontent, pace, depth

Plan to differentiate

What will students do?

a. students master concepts b. extensions c. interests d. or alternative work

How do I know what to vary?

1. I know my students, unit objectives, and target completion dates.

2. Use pre-testing, compacting, other strategies to allow advanced students to outpace normal expectations.

DI strategies #1

• Pre-testing• Compacting• Choice grids (TTT=think tac toes)• Contracts and Study Guides• Learning centers• Cubing activities/Tiering• Integrate technology

DI strategies #2

• Research/independent study• Students as producers• Students produce learning stations• Inquiry-based specializations• Students’ self-assessments• Flexible grouping• Choice with conferencing or mentoring

Concept-focused

• Higher level thinking• Novelty• Depth• Complexity• Extensions• Real-world problems and solutions• Multiple materials

ExpertsSusan Winebrenner-Teaching Gifted Kids in the

Regular ClassroomBertie Kingore – Differentiation: Simplified,

Realistic, and EffectiveCarol Ann Tomlinson - How to Differentiate

Instruction in Mixed Ability Classrooms

More experts

• Roger Taylor classes, online units

• Joseph S. Renzulli - The Multiple Menu Model: A Practical Guide for Developing Differentiated Curriculum

Resources

• www.daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com• www.giftedmmiller.wikispaces.com • www.gtvoice.wikispaces.com• www.free.ed.gov• www.teacherdomain.org• Roger Taylor units

Management tips

• Trust your judgment• Communicate your expectations• Inform parents, students, administration• Establish norms:

Home-base seat Silent periods Safety and mutually respectful conduct

Examples:

• Online at www.gtvoice.wikispaces.com• http://gtvoice.wikispaces.com/gtvoice• Math• Art• Language Arts• Science• History/Social Studies

Math DI strategies

• Most difficult first• Contracts which allow ss to “buy” time• Extensions related to unit concepts• Flexible grouping• Tiered groups or assignments• Projects• Open-ended assignments

Fahrenheit 451

• choices grid• Think Tac Toe• Multiple intelligences• Extensions• Study guide• Various products

Physics, grade 8

• Pace• Compacting• Choices• Extensions• Independent or small

group• Re-join class for certain

lectures

Math 1

• Math – grade 5 • Everyday Math

Pi π and circle geometry Pre-test, movement, cubing, tiered activities

and test questions

Visual Arts

• www.mrsklimek.wikispaces.com • Self-portraits, writing, sound, published• Collaboration between DoTS, Classroom

teacher, and GT Itinerant• Technology, integrated arts• Independent work, tiering, creativity

Social Studies: Zoey’s Project

• Civil War • Civil Rights

George Betts’ Lesson Planner for Critical Thinking

• RtI• Tiered levels• Ascending intellectual

demand

Who needs DI?

• Student?• Area of interest?• Strength areas?• Concepts!• Pre-testing• Compacting• Extensions• Choices