“How Do You Manage Differentiation?”

Heacox Chapter 9

It’s All About Organization and Flexibility

• Preparing to Differentiate:– Start small: Don’t

overwhelm yourself! – Start with what is:

Acknowledge what you already do and examine what is missing

Preparing Your Classroom

1. Help students understand fair doesn’t always mean same

2. Brief tiered activities as warm-ups or cool-downs at first

3. Behavior guidelines for independent & collaborative work: sound levels, etc.

4. “Quiet” signal & guidelines on your availability during group time

5. Arrange room for group work6. Routines: Supplies - Movement -

Finished early

Prepare your Classroom by Thinking Ahead!

How Will I…• Distribute materials?• Give directions?• Use my time?• Meet with each group?

What…• Noise level is ok?• Movement is necessary?• The best class arrangement?• Can students do when done early?

• Do Things Beforehand:• Divide materials &

arrange work folders• Group assignments

ready• Place to store work• Cool down activities

Don’t Forget the Families!

• Keep them informed• Answer questions or concerns

about differentiation• Get them involved

Managing Student Work: Who Goes Where?

• Post names of students in groups: board / overhead

• Table tents on work tables• Designate work area by

color or number

How Do You Set Things Up?

• Plastic bins• Hanging file folders• Stacking letter files• Student distributes• Position yourself &

groups so that you can see them at all times

• Storage for large, bulky projects in process

How Do You Manage Directions?

• Work cards with step by step criteria

• Checklists for each task• Oral & visual directions• Student as “teacher’s aide”• Study buddies

Keeping Track of WorkTeachers:• Observations & informal

chats• Comments on notecards in

student file• Scheduled student

conferences• “Office Hours”• Review self evaluations• Skimming student work &

worklogs

Students:• Worklogs• Procedure checklists• Peer Reviews • Timelines & checkpoints

Now for a class activity!

• Two Groups (teacher determined)

• Each group works on a handout - 1 per person, but you may help each other out

• Share results