1

Differentiating Instruction

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 2

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 3

Topics

• What is differentiated instruction?• Why differentiate instruction?• How do we differentiate instruction?• Strategies for differentiating instruction

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 4

Defining Differentiated Instruction

Customizing instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Differentiated instruction involves ongoing assessment and flexible grouping. Teachers respond to the variance

among students in the classroom.

Tomlinson, C. (2000). What is Differentiated Instruction? Reading Rockets. Accessible at http://www.readingrockets.org/article/263

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 5

Teachers can differentiate the following based on student readiness, interest, or learning profile:• Content- what students need to learn or how

the student will get access to the information• Process- activities in which the student

engages in order to master the content• Products- projects that ask the student to

apply and show what he or she has learned• Learning Environments- the operation of the

classroom

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 6

Examples of differentiating content

• Providing digital and print materials• Emphasizing vocabulary at the readiness level

of students• Presenting the lesson through different

modes: visually, auditory, and kinesthetically• Small groups to re-teach or to extend thinking

Tomlinson, C. (2000). What is Differentiated Instruction? Reading Rockets. Accessible at http://www.readingrockets.org/article/263

What will your students learn? How will you teach?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 7

Examples of differentiating process

• Anchoring activities; tiered activities• Interest centers/stations• Learning contracts• Hands-on support; manipulatives• Extended time

Tomlinson, C. (2000). What is Differentiated Instruction? Reading Rockets. Accessible at http://www.readingrockets.org/article/263

How will your students learn the concepts and skills presented?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 8

Examples of differentiating products

• Using rubrics that extend students’ skill levels• Providing options to work alone or in small

groups• Choice of product assignments• Options of expressing mastery of GLE’s• Challenge, variety, and choice

Tomlinson, C. (2000). What is Differentiated Instruction? Reading Rockets. Accessible at http://www.readingrockets.org/article/263

How will students show what they have learned?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 9

Examples of differentiating the learning environment

• Quiet areas of the room • Process in place for collaborative activities • Available materials and resources• Routines for assistance• Opportunities for kinesthetic activities

Tomlinson, C. (2000). What is Differentiated Instruction? Reading Rockets. Accessible at http://www.readingrockets.org/article/263

Is your classroom conducive to customizing instruction?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 10

What it is What it is not

Differentiated Instruction

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 11

A brief history…

http://www.sde.com/di/history.asp

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 12Image and additional information found at http://www.diffcentral.com/whatisdi.html

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 13

Click on the link to view short videos on differentiated instruction

http://differentiationcentral.com/videos.html

Q: How has your thinking changed since viewing the videos?

Digging Deeper

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 14

Click on the link to watch another video

http://www.sde.com/video/Hollas_Intro2DI.asp

Want to learn more?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 15

Learning Styles http://www.sde.com/images07/di/7wonders.pdf

Which would you choose?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 16

Remember this?

What were your top two categories? Take a moment

and share your results at

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 17

Image found at- http://www.sde.com/di/what.asp

Proactive planning is the key

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 18

Do students feel this way?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 19

Why differentiate instruction?

Think-Pair-Share2 minutes

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 20

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 21

Strategies to differentiate instruction

Adjusted questions

Task cards Learning centers Digital portfolios

Agenda Concept Mapping Pre-assessment Foldables

Learning contracts

Flexible grouping Anticipation guides

Task-oriented interviews

WebQuests Graphic organizers

Tiered assignments

Student-teacher conferences

Choice cards Independent study

Socratic dialogue Peer-tutoring

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 22

Before you teach, consider

What you want your students to:

K= KNOW (FACTS, DEFINITIONS, VOCABULARY)

U= UNDERSTAND (ESSENTIAL TRUTHS, BIG IDEAS)

D= DO (BASIC SKILLS, THINKING SKILLS)

KUD

Tomlinson, Carol Ann. “Educators at Work: Differentiating Curriculum and Instruction.” ASCD Conference. Orlando, FL. 30 March 05-1 April 05.

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 23

KUD Samples from High School TeachersPatrick Johner, Todd County High School

Land and Water of North Africa and Southwest and Central Asia, 9th grade unit

K: Students will know the land and water features of the region.

U: Students will understand how the region’s major rivers are important to the region and why much of the world is economically dependent upon the region.

D: Students will build a layered-look book on the land and water of the region.

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 24

What obstacles do you anticipate

with a differentiated classroom?

Stephanie Dixon, Instructional Specialist 25

Follow Differentiated Instruction on Twitterhttp://t.co/X3Sd4eFA

Differentiated instruction lesson plans rubric http://t.co/GiQ0yAVu

Differentiated instruction maximizes the students individual potential #edu #education #cdnedu