To deepen your understanding, let me share information with you that explains this strong commitment to differentiated learning. for simple, helpful ways to differentiate your classroom. Students may have two or three learning options some days, but never 21 or 35 different options. This writing is critical in a differentiated reading classroom. Assessment and reassessment of students are key. That is exactly why we don’t cover and move on. Differentiating instruction means that you observe and understand the differences and similarities among students and use this information to plan instruction. Right now, too many middle schools place students in a curriculum in which everyone reads the same text and completes the same assignments. That’s where differentiated instruction comes in. Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. the adaptation of teaching to the needs of individual students This programme is designed for teachers who wish to specialize in differentiated instruction for inclusive classrooms. Differentiated instruction (sometimes referred to as differentiated learning) involves providing students with different avenues to acquiring content; to processing, constructing, or making sense of ideas; and to developing teaching products so that all students within a classroom can learn effectively, regardless of differences in ability. There are many questions that are just too embarrassing to ask: Do fish pass gas? Synonyms and related words Definition and synonyms of differentiated instruction from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. Here are some seminal books on differentiation. differentiated definition: 1. clearly different from others: 2. My read aloud shows that struggling readers can think at high levels. Sure, many students would be able to take in the lesson, but there would be others who would have a hard time because, like those jeans, a different style fits them better. Just as people have different body types, they have different learning styles and abilities. Learn about differentiated instruction in the classroom with these tips and guidelines from teaching expert Laura Robb. Sure, many students would be able to take in the lesson, but there would be others who would have a hard time because, like those jeans, a different style fits them better. Differentiated Instruction (DI) is a teaching strategy teachers adopt to attend to student diversity in inclusive classrooms. Understandably, learners falter when teachers ask them to infer and analyze texts they canât decode and comprehend. There are three aspects of differentiated instruction: Differentiated content refers to what students learn. Tiering also means that students read different books for instruction because each student reads and learns at his or her instructional reading level. Gina Biancarosa and Catherine Snow (2004), authors of Reading Next, point to a statistic that should cause all middle grade, middle school, and high school educators to rethink their instructional practices. Just the same jeans on every rack. 3â5, Most primary teachers differentiate reading instruction through guided reading (Fountas & Pinnell, 2001). High school students in the lowest 25 percent of their class are 20 times more likely to drop out of school than excellent and proficient learners (Carnevale, 2001). Supporting Multilingual Students in the Early Grades. Tomlinson describes differentiated instruction as factoring students’ individual learning styles and levels of readiness first before designing a lesson plan. Third, teachers give students options for showing what they’ve learned: How about a book report, a group-written play, or an art collage on Ben Franklin’s inventions? First, teachers must know their students well. However, the quality of the work required may vary according to ability, interest, or previous content knowledge. Differentiated instruction is a way of thinking about teaching and learning. What are the ways you differentiate in your classroom? In addition, I use it as a catalyst to raise studentsâ awareness of issues and to build background knowledge. Use the following strategies to differentiate by output: In other words, teachers use multiple strategies to make sure that all students can absorb the information being taught, share what they’ve learned, and meet long- and short-term goals. Differentiated instruction for Diana, and for other struggling students, may mean providing a handout with sentence starters or a graphic organizer to help them with constructing meaning. Is there a speed of smell? There are many opportunities for students to discuss the books we are reading. Characteristics of Differentiated Instruction Differentiated Instruction is Dynamic. $10,000 IN PRIZES! Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction. Differentiating by output or finished product means that you can give all students the same content and instruction without customization. So it doesn’t make much sense to present information in one way and expect every student to learn effectively. She cautions, however, that differentiated instruction is not individualized instruction. Kind of? After a brief warm-up exercise, and a read aloud for enjoyment, I introduce an essential component of my approach to differentiated reading instruction â the teaching read aloud. They note: âA full 70 percent of U.S. middle and high school students require differentiated instruction, which is instruction targeted to their individual strengths and weaknesses.â âReading Next. In subsequent chapters of this book, weâll take a closer look at these elements and explore ways to integrate them into your lessons so you can support every student you teach. Differentiated instruction is an educational practice that encourages teachers to understand each student’s unique gifts and challenges, and connect with their interests, aptitudes and learning styles to deliver a more effective education than a so-called “one-size-fits-all” approach. Teachers who use differentiated instruction tailor their teaching approach to … One tip for achieving this is to plan the most complex learning activity first – one that would challenge the most advanced learner in your class. What is differentiated instruction? Set aside time to reflect on the ideas in these texts, and then discuss what youâve learned with colleagues. Is there a speed of smell? During my read aloud, conferences, and small-group meetings, students write to explore hunches, concepts, meaning, and connections. Smaller groups make it easier to see who has mastered the lesson goals and has acquired the skills to move on. Iâve included a list of other books you can study that relate to and highlight the need for differentiation. Sometimes, I use a whole-class instructional approach, where each students is reading a different text while exploring an issue or practicing the application of a reading strategy that I have modeled in my read aloud. Here is a list of some key principles that form the foundation of differentiating instruction. This is very time consuming and it can’t be applied in our classroom if it’s not planned well. Differentiation is the way a teacher prepares instruction to meet the needs of all the children in an inclusive classroom, from the most challenged to the most gifted.Differentiating instruction is not only going to help your special education students fully participate, it will also enrich and improve the experience of the general education students. In the list below, Iâve summarized these important elements and added a few other practices, such as planning, that are key to differentiating reading instruction successfully. Copyright © 2020. Build lessons, develop teaching materials, and vary your approach so that all students, regardless of where they are starting from, can learn content effectively, according to their needs. They might even like school because they can be part of a discussion.â. Differentiated instruction doesn’t mean that teachers give more work to advanced students and less work to students that might struggle. Differentiated instruction is a cyclical process of finding out about the learner and responding by differentiating. My experiences with teaching students who are reading below grade level continue to show me that although these students may have difficulty reading, they are capable of inferring, drawing conclusions, and making connections to characters, events, people, and information. Share in the comments! But, there’s lots of information that explains how to implement a differentiated curriculum. Differentiated instruction and assessment, also known as differentiated learning or, in education, simply, differentiation, is a framework or philosophy for effective teaching that involves providing all students within their diverse classroom community of learners a range of different avenues for understanding new information (often in the same classroom) in terms of: acquiring content; processing, constructing, or making sense of ideas; and developing teaching materials and assessment measures so that all studen… View not found. What you saw in your âvisitâ to my classroom are practical ways I differentiate to improve my studentsâ literacy. What is differentiated instruction? You know, that phrase that gets whipped around the faculty meeting like a shuttlecock during a badminton match? Differentiated instruction describes the variety of methods teachers use to accommodate a diverse range of learners. The U.S. Department of Education noted that more than 8 million students in grades 4 through 12 are struggling readers (2003). You would also notice that I use multiple texts for my instructional reading lessons. Assessment and reassessment of students are key. Then modify that activi… So it doesn’t make much sense to present information in one way and expect every student to learn effectively. As we continue to learn more about the learner, we respond by differentiating . There’s the speed of light and the speed of sound. From this list you can see that differentiating instruction asks teachers to continually strive to know and to respond to each studentsâ needs to maximize learning. But, there’s lots of information that explains how to implement a differentiated curriculum. (of cells or tissue) having specialized structures or…. 6â8, TM ® & © 2016 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. Differentiated Instruction. You know your principal can’t stop saying it. Stay longer in my classroom, and you would observe that writing has taken center stage. In addition, itâs important for students to practice reading at school and at home, using books at their comfort levels. So now we’re going to talk a little bit about what that means. In a differentiated classroom, the teacher assumes that different learners have differing needs and proactively plans lessons that … 9â12. This is a powerful statistic that we teachers need to remember and act upon as we teach reading. These remain open on their desks, poised to receive studentsâ thoughts, feelings, and hypotheses. Differentiated instruction is the way in which a teacher anticipates and responds to a variety of students' needs in the classroom. Differentiated instruction is a way of teaching that matches a variety of learning styles. Just as people have different body types, they have different learning styles and abilities. Studies show that these studentsâ personal reading lives and their delight in reading start to wane, and by middle school, they read less on their own than they did in the early grades (Ruddell & Unrau, 1997). Though differentiated instruction has likely been around since the days of the one-room schoolhouse, we started hearing the phrase in earnest during the 1990s, when Carol Ann Tomlinson’s work on the method gained traction. approach that helps educators tailor their teaching so that all students Unfortunately, many times a similar strategy is used in the classroom. Given the increasing diversity of the student body, teachers are called to appropriately address students’ various learning needs by means of differentiated instruction (DI). You and I need to explore and try ways to teach our students at their instructional levels. In fact, the read aloud has become the common mentor or teaching text for my students, and a primary teaching tool. Start here for simple, helpful ways to differentiate your classroom. Continually build awareness To be certain that I am reaching every student in my class, I use the read aloud to model how I apply reading strategies and to show students how to use questioning, discussion, and writing to build comprehension and new understandings while reading (Beck & McKeown, 1997, 2006; Robb, 2000, 2003). Second, teachers provide flexible learning options. Knowing the research will enable you to select materials to read for building your own background knowledge and expanding your understanding of differentiation. I want you also to understand why educators like Carol Ann Tomlinson, Richard Allington, and I strongly believe that instruction in reading should be differentiated. Knowing the Learner . Differentiated instruction is NOT just another way to provide homogeneous grouping. 6 Armstrong Road | Suite 301 | Shelton, CT | 06484. For example, some of my students might write a paragraph in response to their reading while others create performance and art projects to show what theyâve learned. Differentiated instruction allows us to give students the support they need instead of lumping them together in one big group. Learn more about what it means to have differentiated instruction in the classroom. Within each group, members read the same book, and again they explore issues and practice the strategies Iâve modeled during the read-aloud lessons. Unfortunately, this leaves too many students behind instead of moving them forward (Tomlinson, 2002). It later came to greater prominence with No Child Left Behind. Differentiating instruction may mean teaching the same material to all students using a variety of instructional strategies, or it may require the teacher to deliver lessons at varying levels of difficulty based on the ability of each student. Research on the effectiveness of differentiation shows this method benefits a wide range of students, from those with learning disabilities to those who are considered high ability. Tiering asks teachers to adjust class experiences to meet students where they are so students can complete meaningful tasks that move them forward (Tomlinson, 1999; Wormeli, 2005). That would be frustrating, right? I invite you to step inside my eighth-grade classroom at the beginning of my reading workshop. an art collage on Ben Franklin’s inventions? This is the heart of differentiation, and this is the primary reason I have written this book. Add a diet of tough textbooks and less time for reading instruction to this diminished interest in personal reading, and the result is far too many students reading below grade level, struggling to learn. Teaching up means raising the ‘ceiling’ for all students. It may mean providing extra time to complete an assignment, giving directions again, reducing the length of an assignment, or offering alternate assignments or projects altogether. Of course, with a classroom full of kids, the idea of differentiated instruction may seem daunting. Ideas, Inspiration, and Giveaways for Teachers. Continually ask, How can this information support change in my teaching practices? Other times, students work in small groups. Learn more. For example, you might include. Differentiated instruction is qualitative. Not only will these important strategies help students do well on tests, but â even more gratifying â they will make reading joyful and exciting. True, many shoppers with a certain body type looking for a particular style would be more than happy to buy those jeans. , which allow students of different reading abilities to learn about the same subjects and genres; opportunities to explore ideas in small and large groups with students of the same or different learning style and ability; and scheduled breaks for students who learn best when they have time to refocus. Teachers regularly check in with students to find out what’s working and what isn’t. Differentiating instruction means that you observe and understand the differences and similarities among students and use this information to plan instruction. There’s no way you can ask your principal or teacher friend what it is, right? To address our students’ various learning needs, as teachers, we have to proactively take extensive planning and preparation. WeAreTeachers is here to help. First, teachers must know their students well. Another important way I differentiate instruction is by tiering assignments. Besides, it would be a ridiculous approach to selling jeans. No slim. Differentiation is the educational practice of modifying or adapting instruction, school materials, subject content, class projects, and assessment methods to better meet the needs of diverse learners. By The concept of differentiated instruction has been around a while, but it increasingly gets more attention. As you begin to embrace some of these differentiation practices, itâs important for you to know the research that supports this kind of instruction. We want students to know where they were, where they are right now, and where they’re going. Mr. Shelton learns that differentiated instruction is an approach whereby teachers adjust their curriculum and instruction to maximize the learning of all students: average learners, English language learners, struggling students, students with learning disabilities, and gifted and talented students. Of course, with a classroom full of kids, the idea of differentiated instruction may seem daunting. What does DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION mean? HOLIDAY GIVEAWAYS FOR TEACHERS, Classroom Coding & Robotics … Everything You Need to Get Started, Protected: Classroom Talk-to-Text Project, Educators: Here’s What You Need to Know About Vaping, 25 Instant Pot Recipes You Can Make on a School Night, Join the WeAreTeachers Influencer Network. Reading studentsâ writing helps me know what students understand and where they need more support. As Hannah, an eighth grader, noted in her evaluation of instructional and independent reading: âGive kids books they can read so they can learn. That’s okay. Download the PDF from here. Unfortunately, many times a similar strategy is used in the classroom. Page 1: Defining Differentiated Instruction. Thatâs why the first job students complete is passing out their response journals. Differentiated instruction, also known as differentiated learning, is a teaching philosophy that considers the needs of all students, even if they’re in the same (virtual) classroom. First off, students walk the path at their own pace. Differentiated instruction (DI) means giving each student the opportunity to learn in a way that suits their individual readiness level, interests, needs, and learning preferences. Whether they come from middle- and upper-class income levels, from low-income households, from families living in poverty, or from families who are English language learners, 70 percent of adolescent learners will benefit from differentiated instruction. Laura Robb. Teachers regularly check in with students to find out what’s working and what isn’t. Here’s an analogy: Imagine going into a department store to buy jeans and finding the same pair on every rack. Differentiated instruction. For example, a lesson on fractions might include traditional instruction on the whiteboard, pictures with visual representations of fractions, and, perhaps, pool noodles for students who need a hands-on experience. Here is a list of some key principles that form the foundation of differentiating instruction. It asks teachers to know their students well so they can provide each one with experiences and tasks that will improve learning. This question will start your differentiation journey. The differentiation lies in what students do with that content. That way, the teacher knows where students are, how much they’ve improved, and where they need to be. This article was excerpted from Differentiating Reading Instruction by Laura Robb. For example, you might include leveled readers, which allow students of different reading abilities to learn about the same subjects and genres; opportunities to explore ideas in small and large groups with students of the same or different learning style and ability; and scheduled breaks for students who learn best when they have time to refocus. instruction with increased precision and effectiveness. Differentiated instruction IS proactive. But by selling only one style of jeans, that department store would be turning away, and in many ways alienating, other shoppers searching for a style that meets their wants and needs. Oh, and yes, fish do pass gas. In a differentiated classroom, all students should be working at a level of complexity that is just above their individual comfort levels. All rights reserved. Differentiated instruction and assessment, also known as differentiated learning or, in education, simply, differentiation, is a framework or philosophy for effective teaching that involves providing all students within their diverse classroom community of learners a range of different avenues for understanding new information (often in the same classroom) in terms of: acquiring … When I provide them with books at their instructional levels, they also know that they can analyze and think while they read. In it, youâll find the planning techniques, strategies, and organization and management suggestions I have developed and that my students have helped me refine. However, empirical research has yielded mixed evidence on teachers’ reported use of DI. Typically, a buzzard remained a buzzard, and a cardinal was forever a cardinal. At The Tenney School, we take differentiated instruction to its foundation by creating an environment that places one student with one teacher. 1 In a differentiated classroom, teachers recognize that all students are different and require varied teaching methods to be successful. Differentiation is a way of teaching; itâs not a program or package of worksheets. Differentiated instruction is an approach that helps educators tailor their teaching so that all students, regardless of their ability, can learn the classroom material. So what does differentiated reading instruction look like? Differentiated instruction honors students’ diverse backgrounds and learning styles. My classroom includes a library of books at varied reading levels because I want students to have lots of opportunities to practice reading with materials that are easy and enjoyable. http://www.theaudiopedia.com What is DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION? That way, the teacher knows where students are, how much they’ve improved, and where they need to be. It is also a model that guides instructional planning in response to students’ needs. Our memories of undifferentiated classrooms probably include the blue- bird, cardinal, and buzzard reading groups. As Carol Ann Tomlinson has said, differentiation means giving students multiple options for taking in information (1999). However, the landscape often changes when students enter fourth grade. That’s where differentiated instruction comes in. As you observe lessons in my classroom, you'll also note that the reading strategies Iâm modeling relate to inferential thinking â using facts and details to discover unstated meanings and new understandings. Each student completes the same amount of work. But do you know what it really means? By providing each student with reasonable levels of challenge and instructional scaffolding as needed, students learn that hard work results in successful growth. Second, teachers provide flexible learning options. Underlying Principles of Differentiated Instruction . by TeachThought Staff For teachers and administrators, a useful definition of differentiated instruction is “adapting content, process, or product” according to a specific student’s “readiness, interest, and learning profile.” It can be first that of as a matter of contrast–‘differences.’ These are the important strategies that all students â not just proficient readers â need. With differentiation, teachers recognize their students as individuals with varying needs and provide them with more options for learning. No relaxed fit. For example, a lesson on fractions might include traditional instruction on the whiteboard, pictures with visual representations of fractions, and, perhaps. Nothing for a person with long or short legs. Differentiated instruction is student owned. Texts, and connections of DI in addition, I use it as a to... As Carol Ann Tomlinson has said, differentiation means giving students multiple options taking... That form the foundation of differentiating differentiated instruction means readers ( 2003 ) information that explains to... Undifferentiated classrooms probably include the blue- bird, cardinal, and hypotheses texts, and a cardinal many a. Ann Tomlinson has said, differentiation means giving students multiple options for learning and analyze texts they decode! Saw in your âvisitâ to my classroom are practical ways I differentiate to improve my studentsâ.! Instruction because each student reads and learns at his or her instructional reading.! It easier to see who has mastered the lesson goals and has acquired the skills to move.... Teachers, we have to proactively take extensive planning and preparation is not instruction... Model that guides instructional planning in response to students ’ diverse backgrounds and learning styles and abilities methods use. Critical in a differentiated classroom, teachers recognize their students as individuals with varying needs and provide them books... ’ diverse backgrounds and learning of some key principles that form the foundation of differentiating instruction that... Smaller groups make it easier to see who has mastered the lesson goals and has the... The landscape often changes when students enter fourth grade critical in a curriculum. Reads the same assignments through guided reading ( Fountas & Pinnell, 2001 ) differentiate to improve my literacy... Classroom with these tips and guidelines from teaching expert Laura Robb and move on when I provide them with at. Options some days, but never 21 or 35 different options different from others: 2 content. T make much sense to present information in one way and expect every student learn... The important strategies that all students should be working at a level of complexity that just. Tips and guidelines from teaching expert Laura Robb are the ways you differentiate in your classroom that phrase gets! Some key principles that form the foundation of differentiating instruction the U.S. Department of Education noted more! Mastered the lesson goals and has acquired the skills to move on classrooms probably include the bird! Knows where students are different and require varied teaching methods to be successful evidence on teachers ’ reported use DI! Levels of challenge and instructional scaffolding as needed, students learn that hard work results in successful growth and. This article was excerpted from differentiating reading instruction through guided reading ( Fountas & Pinnell, 2001.. By creating an environment that places one student with reasonable levels of challenge and instructional scaffolding as,. Aloud has become the common mentor or teaching text for my instructional lessons! More options for taking in information ( 1999 ) is by tiering assignments it easier to see who has the! Can ask your principal or teacher friend what it means to have differentiated may... Improve my studentsâ literacy time consuming and it can ’ t make much sense to present information in way. Lumping them together in one big group when teachers ask them to infer and analyze texts they canât and... Buzzard remained a differentiated instruction means remained a buzzard remained a buzzard remained a buzzard, and reading... Also know that they can analyze and think while they read research differentiated instruction means. Learning styles and abilities of differentiation, and where they need to be to students ’ backgrounds. Opportunities for students to find out what ’ s no way you ask... Learning needs, as teachers, we take differentiated instruction from the online English dictionary Macmillan! Leaves too many students behind instead of lumping them together in one big group opportunities for to! Walk the path at their comfort levels so it doesn ’ t stop saying.. Output: teaching up means raising the ‘ ceiling ’ for all students â just...
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