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Differentiating Differentiating InstructionInstruction

MTE 533MTE 533Shanon Cole, Erin Cross, Michael Freeman Shanon Cole, Erin Cross, Michael Freeman and James Littleand James Little

Using ChoiceBoards or Menus allows students to make their own decisions about meeting requirements.

The teacher prepares an organizer, like a folder or chart, which has different activities for the students to complete.

Students choose from the activities as part of a lesson

 To create a Choice Board or Menu: Identify the goals of the lesson. An assignment that reflects the

goals of the lesson should then be created. Create additional options for the students to complete that enrich

the lesson. Students will complete an option in order to meet the

requirements and reach the goal ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014)

ChoiceBoards and ChoiceBoards and MenusMenus

Examples of Examples of ChoiceBoardsChoiceBoards

A popular style of ChoiceBoard is a Think, Tac, Toe chart in which a student must complete three activities in a row. The activities build on each other and are of varying difficulty.

Image from: ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014)

Another popular type of ChoiceBoard is known as a Dinner Menu the Menu is laid out with an appetizer (Warm-Up) which is generally not differentiated. An appetizer, which student s must choose one of two options and so on for as many activities as needed or desired by the teacher.

Image from Image from (Bowker, 2014)

ChoiceBoards are great for the diverse learners because they can choose activities that fit their individual needs and can be created for multiple types of learners in one classroom.. If you need to challenge a student you can or if you need to reinforce a topic you can do that too ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014) .

They motivate and inspire all learners because they had a choice in their education.

Motivation comes from frequently experienced success. Activities designed with student abilities in mind will help students succeed regularly ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014).

Allow teacher to work with small groups or individual that need attention or need some support

Instructional Issues with ChoiceBoards Instructional Issues with ChoiceBoards and Menusand Menus

Learning centers are areas of a classroom set up according Learning centers are areas of a classroom set up according toto

subject, the current class theme or academic level. subject, the current class theme or academic level.

Learning centers provide students the opportunity to learnLearning centers provide students the opportunity to learnthrough engagement, collaboration, observation andthrough engagement, collaboration, observation andexperimentation. experimentation.

Current Trend #2:Current Trend #2:Learning CentersLearning Centers

There are many ways in which learning centers can be used inThere are many ways in which learning centers can be used in

math and science classrooms. In math classrooms, learningmath and science classrooms. In math classrooms, learning

centers can be used to help students practice solving problemscenters can be used to help students practice solving problems

and review concepts and ideas discussed with the entire class.and review concepts and ideas discussed with the entire class.

In science classrooms, learning centers can be used to enhanceIn science classrooms, learning centers can be used to enhance

classroom discussions and provide students with opportunitiesclassroom discussions and provide students with opportunities

to conduct experiments and different hands-on activities.to conduct experiments and different hands-on activities.

Current Trend #2:Current Trend #2:Learning CentersLearning Centers

Learning centers are widely used in today’s classrooms. Learning centers are widely used in today’s classrooms. Advocates Advocates

of learning centers point to the main benefits of using of learning centers point to the main benefits of using learninglearning

centers such as:centers such as:

Students are motivated to participate in fun, challenging Students are motivated to participate in fun, challenging activities.activities.

Students are provided with meaningful learning Students are provided with meaningful learning opportunities.opportunities.

Students can learn to collaborate with classmates.Students can learn to collaborate with classmates. Teachers can work with small groups or individual students.Teachers can work with small groups or individual students. Learning centers can help teachers improve classroom and Learning centers can help teachers improve classroom and

time management skills.time management skills.

Learning Centers:Learning Centers:Positive AspectsPositive Aspects

Despite the growing trend of learning centers, some of the Despite the growing trend of learning centers, some of the main main

issues and concerns of using learning centers include:issues and concerns of using learning centers include:

Learning center activities can be time-consuming.Learning center activities can be time-consuming. Classroom space can be limited.Classroom space can be limited. Learning centers can be noisy and students can have Learning centers can be noisy and students can have

difficulty concentrating.difficulty concentrating. Teachers may need special training to learn how to Teachers may need special training to learn how to

properly conduct learning centers.properly conduct learning centers. Learning centers can be expensive for teachers with Learning centers can be expensive for teachers with

limited resources.limited resources.

Learning Centers:Learning Centers:Instructional IssuesInstructional Issues

Use of approved educational software is an Use of approved educational software is an increasing trend due to the following benefits:increasing trend due to the following benefits:

Instant feedback for assessmentInstant feedback for assessment Applicable for grades k5 through 12Applicable for grades k5 through 12 Provides additional support and practiceProvides additional support and practice InteractiveInteractive Supplemental engagement for students Supplemental engagement for students

Classrooms and homeClassrooms and home

Current Trend 3:Current Trend 3:Educational SoftwareEducational Software

Educational Software:Educational Software:Instructional IssuesInstructional Issues

Rapidly changing technologyRapidly changing technology Upkeep, training, and funds Upkeep, training, and funds

for schoolsfor schools No at home assignments No at home assignments

which require the which require the technology/ software at hometechnology/ software at home

Percentage of students may Percentage of students may not be accustomed to new not be accustomed to new technologytechnology

Time in classrooms to teach Time in classrooms to teach students how to use the students how to use the computers and software. computers and software.

Guiding students to Guiding students to appropriate resourcesappropriate resources

Image 3: http://www.franklinschool.org/Internet%20Safety/inappropriate_sites.htm

Educational Software: Educational Software: Positive AspectsPositive Aspects

Can be used in both math and Can be used in both math and sciencescience

Math:Math: Self-pacedSelf-paced Leveled learningLeveled learning

Science:Science: Activities Activities GamesGames

Image 4: http://www.headant.com/literacy-math-and-science-activities/science-activities-teacher-and-student-tracking/

Effective use of Differentiated instruction Effective use of Differentiated instruction means catering to the learning style of means catering to the learning style of every studentevery student

This means creating multiple assessment This means creating multiple assessment possibilities that allow students to make possibilities that allow students to make a choicea choice

Each option still needs to be graded Each option still needs to be graded based on a specific criteriabased on a specific criteria

The finished product must still show that The finished product must still show that the student has mastered the skill set the student has mastered the skill set

Current Trend 4: Current Trend 4: Multiple Student Multiple Student Product PossibilitiesProduct Possibilities

Not all students achieve at the same Not all students achieve at the same educational leveleducational level

This means that assessment products This means that assessment products will be varied and uniquewill be varied and unique

The educator can sometimes be too The educator can sometimes be too involved in the process with some involved in the process with some students and not involved enough with students and not involved enough with othersothers

Grading these products can be subjective Grading these products can be subjective and difficultand difficult

Multiple Product Multiple Product Possibilities: Instructional Possibilities: Instructional IssueIssue

Multiple Product Multiple Product PossibilitiesPossibilities

Topic: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, & Topic: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, & VolcanoesVolcanoes

Write a report that shows what you have learnedWrite a report that shows what you have learned Create a collage that Represents one of the above and label the Create a collage that Represents one of the above and label the

different parts and featuresdifferent parts and features Draw a map and use different colors to show areas that these Draw a map and use different colors to show areas that these

forces impact.forces impact. Write and perform a ‘Weather Report’ skit that shows where Write and perform a ‘Weather Report’ skit that shows where

these events are happening and what they arethese events are happening and what they are

Any multiple product assessment should be graded with a rubric Any multiple product assessment should be graded with a rubric that is the same for all students. This rubric needs to be that is the same for all students. This rubric needs to be flexible enough to allow for student creativity and strict flexible enough to allow for student creativity and strict enough to ensure that students show what they have learned in enough to ensure that students show what they have learned in a manner that is academically appropriate and acceptable. For a manner that is academically appropriate and acceptable. For example:example:

Lesson Lesson PlanPlanExampleExample

Bowker, A. (2014). classroomcollective. Retrieved from http://classroomcollective. tumblr.com/post/28909450173/free-spelling-homework-menu-for-differentiated Dare to Differentiate. (2014). Retrieved from http://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/home

Image #1 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15, 2014 from Image #1 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15, 2014 from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.html

Image #2 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15, Image #2 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15, 2014 from http://www.ber.org/onsite/course.cfm?CR=MUX2014 from http://www.ber.org/onsite/course.cfm?CR=MUX

Image #3 of Children working on computer. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 from Image #3 of Children working on computer. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 from http://www.franklinschool.org/Internet%20Safety/inappropriate_sites.htm .http://www.franklinschool.org/Internet%20Safety/inappropriate_sites.htm .Image #4 of Science and Math programs. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 fromImage 4: Image #4 of Science and Math programs. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 fromImage 4: http://www.headant.com/literacy-math-and-science-activities/science-activities-http://www.headant.com/literacy-math-and-science-activities/science-activities-teacher-and-student-tracking/teacher-and-student-tracking/ Learning Centers: Providing a Wide Variety of Learning Activities. (2003). Retrieved from Learning Centers: Providing a Wide Variety of Learning Activities. (2003). Retrieved from http://www.uen.org/k-2educator/learning_centers.shtmlhttp://www.uen.org/k-2educator/learning_centers.shtmlKluver, C. (2012, May 24). Children’s educational technology: The trends. Social Media Kluver, C. (2012, May 24). Children’s educational technology: The trends. Social Media Montly, (), . Retrieved from http://digitalmediadiet.com/?p=1540. Montly, (), . Retrieved from http://digitalmediadiet.com/?p=1540.

Rongione, D. (2014). Rongione, D. (2014). The Disadvantages of Learning CentersThe Disadvantages of Learning Centers. Retrieved from . Retrieved from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.htmlhttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.html

Shaffer, P. (2011). Shaffer, P. (2011). Why should you Use learning centers?Why should you Use learning centers?. Retrieved from . Retrieved from http://mathcenterideas.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-use-centers-in-math.htmlhttp://mathcenterideas.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-use-centers-in-math.html

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