differentiated journey. the plan working definition beginning steps take home one strategy to use...

Differentiated Journey

The Plan

Working definition Beginning steps Take home one strategy to use with

students or staff

Beauty or Hag?

One Possible DI Definition

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.

(From Carol Ann Tomlinson, ASCD)

Beliefs Behind DI Learning profiles differ Active learners, decision makers,

problem solvers Making meaning priority Opportunity for choice

What DI Is…

ProactiveVaried approaches Multiple approaches to content,

process and productStudent centeredEbb and flow of whole-class,

group and individual instruction Carol Ann Tomlinson, The Differentiated Classroom, 1999

What It Is Not…

Individualized instruction Chaotic Homogeneous grouping Bluebirds and buzzards Hard questions for the gifted, easy

questions for the struggling

Carol Ann Tomlinson, The Differentiated Classroom, 1999

DI Classroom Characteristics

Teachers engage students in instruction through different learning modalities.

A student competes more against self than others.

Teachers provide specific ways for individuals to learn.

Teachers use classroom time flexibly.

Carol Ann Tomlinson, The Differentiated Classroom, 1999

Making It Easy On Ourselves

Simple but meaningful activities that connect to learners

Anchors that provide consistency to your classroom

Large-scale projects

If you’re a baby in the process, treat yourself gently and with care!

What to Differentiate?

Content (what students learn) Process (how students learn) Product (how students show what

they know)

Differentiation of Instructionis a teacher’s response to learners’ needs

guided by general principles of differentiationsuch as:

respectful tasks flexible grouping ongoing assessmentand adjustment

teachers can differentiate

Content Process Product

according to students’

Readiness Interests Learning Profile

through a range of instructional and management strategies

Prep Steps

Start small—one strategy, one area. Start with what is—mine ideas;

determine what all students will do, what some students will do; identify basic and advanced activities.

Get students ready—discuss differences, organize, “fair” not “same.”

Before You Begin, You Need to KnowWhat You Want Your Students to

KnowUnderstandDo

Tiered Instruction

Make slight adjustments within same lesson to meet individual needs.

Students learn same skills and concepts but through varying modes and activities.

Appropriately challenges ability levels

Steps in Tiering

Identify key concepts and understandings Pre-assess based on readiness, interests

or learning profiles Identify how you will cluster

groups/activities Select elements to tier (content, process,

product) Create variations for each group The Equalizer

Teacher’s Challenge

Develop Respectful Activities

Interesting EngagingChallenging

Montgomery County, MD

What Can Be Tiered?

Assignments Homework Assessments Writing prompts, projects Learning centers Dang near anything…

(See examples/also packet)

Tiered Assignments

Tiered assignments are multiple versions that allow students to build on their prior knowledge and that prompt their continued learning.

Readiness based approach that is challenging but not frustrating.

The Ladder Approach

Imagine a ladder as you tier. The bottom rungs represent the

easiest levels. As you climb higher up the ladder,

the tasks become more difficult. http://ideanet.doe.state.in.us/exceptional/gt/tiered_curriculum/welcome.html

Layered Curriculum

Kathy Nunley Levels or layers of learning The 3-layer model requires more

complex thinking to earn a higher letter grade.

Focus on quality of learning and thinking rather than quantity of time and activities for higher grades

The Levels

A:Critical

Thinking

B:Application

C:Basic Learning and Skills

C Level reflects what EVERY student must be able to KNOW, UNDERSTAND and DO.

Menu Approach

Main dish: Everyone Side dish: Pick and choose Dessert: Optional but irresistible

Cubes

Looks at topics from different angles

Eliminates flat thinking Includes six commands and a

prompt

ThinkDots Strategy used to

review, demonstrate, and extend thinking

Can be developed to respond to learner readiness, learning profiles, student choice

Variation of cubes; works well with older students

Think Tac Toe

Allows students choice Incorporates learning preferences Takes readiness into account (basic

and advanced) Provides framework

http://webtech.cherokee.k12.ga.us/littleriver-es/ewilliams/tictactoeoceania.htm

Exit Cards

Easy strategy for assessing student learning

Students respond to prompts or questions; turn in cards as they leave

Teacher uses card to help create groups, monitor student progress, revise lessons

EXIT CARDSExit Cards (AKA “Tickets To Leave”) are used to gather

information on student readiness levels, interests, and/or learning profiles.

The teacher hands out index cards to students at the end of aninstructional sequence or class period. The teacher asks the students to respond to a pre-determined prompt on their index cards and then turn them in as they leave the classroom or transition to another subject.

The teacher reviews the student responses and separates the cards into instructional groups based on pre-set criteria.

Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland

Students who are struggling with the

concept orskill

Students withsome understanding

of concept or skill

Students whounderstand theconcept or skill

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Readiness Groups

EXIT CARD GROUPINGS


Examples of Exit Cards

Let’s take a look atsome examples---

EXIT CARDS

Today you began tolearn about decimalfractions List three things

you learned Write at least one

question you have about this topic


EXIT CARDS

Today you began tolearn about

hyperbole. List three things you

learned. Write at least one

question you have about this topic.


EXIT CARDS We have been learning about The Greenhouse Effect. Explain or depict your understanding of this important environmental issue.

What questions do you have about this topic?


EXIT CARDSWe have begun a study of author’s craft.

List and identify three examples of figurative language used in the novel Morning Girl by Michael Dorris.


EXIT CARDS

On your Exit Card---

Explain the differencebetween prime andcomposite numbers.You may wish to give some examples of eachas part of yourexplanation.


EXIT CARDS

On your exit card---

Explain the differencebetween simile andmetaphor. Give some examples of each aspart of your explanation.


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