A Teacher’s Guide to Differentiating Instruction Introduction Does effectively teaching 30 students in one classroom require teachers to develop 30 lessons, one tailor-made for each student? Or should teachers “aim for the middle” and hope to reach most students in a given lesson? The answer is not simple. What is Differentiation? Simply stated, differentiation is modified instruction that helps students with diverse academic needs and learning styles master the same challenging academic content. How to Start Four planning steps set the stage for effective differentiated instruction. Vary Materials Author Joyce Van Tassel-Baska (2003) suggests that the selection of materials for use in the classroom is a crucial next step to effective differentiated instruction. Nonfiction and fiction, written at a variety of reading levels. The use of varied materials will encourage these students to understand the concept of “main idea” not only within language arts but in other settings as well. Vary Process Vary Assessment Conclusion References Good, M.
Differentiating the curriculum The Policy and implementation strategies for the education of gifted and talented students: Support package: Curriculum differentiation (2004) (pdf 1345kb) provides an introduction to curriculum differentiation for gifted and talented students and is suitable for all stages of schooling. It needs to be read in conjunction with the Policy and implementation strategies for the education of gifted and talented students (revised 2004) and its companion document (2004) (pdf 270kb). The purpose of differentiating the curriculum is to provide appropriate learning opportunities for gifted and talented students. Three important characteristics of gifted students that underscore the rationale for curriculum differentiation (Van Tassel–Baska, 1988) are the capacity to: learn at faster rates find, solve and act on problems more readily manipulate abstract ideas and make connections. The creation of a differentiated curriculum requires some pre-planning. Definitions Article (pdf 25kb) Acceleration Web page
Integrating the 16 Habits of Mind In outcomes-based learning environments, we generally see three elements in play: 1) learning objectives or targets are created from given standards; 2) instruction of some kind is given; and then 3) learning results are assessed. These assessments offer data to inform the revision of further planned instruction. Rinse and repeat. But lost in this clinical sequence are the Habits of Mind that (often predictably) lead to success or failure in the mastery of given standards. In fact, it is not in the standards or assessments, but rather these personal habits where success or failure -- in academic terms -- actually begin. Below are all 16 Habits of Mind, each with a tip, strategy or resource to understand and begin implementation in your classroom. The habits themselves aren't new at all, and significant work has already been done in the areas of these "thinking habits." And a renewed urgency for their integration. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ask students to map out their own thinking process. 6. 7. 8.
Gifted Students - How To Information Lessons Using Socratic Questioning for Gifted Students Socratic questioning is crucial to developing strong critical thinking skills, according to non-profit organization The Critical Thinking Society. The method is defined by a facilitator guiding students to evaluate their biases and reaching conclusions through a series of open-ended questions. Establishing a fair classroom environment in which all gifted students are able to speak and be heard is critical to the success of using the method. Strategies for Teaching Expository Writing to Gifted Students Gifted students typically master language arts skills earlier in life than their counterparts. How to Manage a Gifted Student When a person thinks of gifted children, advanced intellect is usually the first thing that comes to mind. How to Adapt a Lesson for a Gifted Student Testing for Gifted Students in Kindergarten High Achiever Vs. How to Motivate Teachers of Gifted Students How to Teach Children With a Natural Talent Cognitive Vs.
Differentiated Instruction with UDL By Tracey Hall, Nicole Strangman, and Anne Meyer Note: Updated on 11/2/09; 1/14/11; Please visit the AIM Center home page. Introduction Not all students are alike. Based on this knowledge, differentiated instruction applies an approach to teaching and learning that gives students multiple options for taking in information and making sense of ideas. Differentiated instruction is a teaching theory based on the premise that instructional approaches should vary and be adapted in relation to individual and diverse students in classrooms (Tomlinson, 2001). This report on differentiated instruction and UDL begins with an introduction to differentiated instruction in which we provide the definition, a sampling of considerations and curriculum applications, and research evidence for effectiveness. The literature review in this paper is also available as a stand alone document, with annotated references. Top Definition Figure 1. Identifying Components/Features Content Process Products Figure 2.
Differentiating Instruction Differentiating Instruction ... One Size Doesn't Fit All Effective Strategies to Improve Student Performance ! We have students in our classrooms who struggle academically and others who learn at an advanced level and accelerated pace. Testimonials about the workshops -- Fran McAleer is a valuable contributor to our work, training to create a new and better workplace in our schools. More! Franny McAleer has been providing staff development for teachers in the Berwick Area School District for the last four years, including whole staff workshops with the Six Thinking Hats as well as focused workshops detailing best practices with instructional strategies for gifted and honors students. AWESOME! Franny did a tremendous job of inspiring and engaging participants in a one-day training session on differentiation. The presenter knew her topic and was open to all questions. Franny McAleer is a dynamic presenter. "This workshop got nothing but rave reviews." Teacher and parent links are blue.
letsgetengaged - home Concept driven learning Some ‘big ideas’ about concept driven learning: (From this week’s little #pypchat on Twitter) The world is changing. Big Ideas in the classroom. Since I no longer have my own class, I relish opportunities to get into classrooms. The first provocation is a video showing the effects of an electricity blackout. Rubi introduces a second provocation to further develop their thinking. Sorting Questions. With each question on an individual sticky note, the groups sort the questions in any way they like. Some groups sort the questions by topic, others by big ideas. To sum up the lesson, we ask students to give it a title. A conceptual central idea. We introduce the central idea: ‘Our use of energy has an impact on the planet.’ Each group now gets the whole class’s questions and the task is to sort the pile into two groups… Those that relate to the central idea (the overarching conceptual understanding.) and those that don’t. Key concepts. Big ideas about the learning: Yet, already… Like this:
Digital Differentiation Technology is a tool that can be used to help teachers facilitate learning experiences that address the diverse learning needs of all students and help them develop 21st Century Skills. At it's most basic level, digital tools can be used to help students find, understand and use information. When combined with student-driven learning experiences fueled by Essential Questions offering flexible learning paths, it can be the ticket to success. Here is a closer look at three components of effectively using technology as a tool for digital differentiation. Note: The interactive graphics you see below have been updated. The goal is to design student-driven learning experiences that are fueled by standards-based Essential Questions and facilitated by digital tools to provide students with flexible learning paths. Essential Questions: Student-driven learning experiences should be driven by standards-based Essential Questions. Teacher Facilitated Learning Experiences:
Teaching the Gifted and Talented: 33 Websites Where You Can Find Good Resources I wish the Internet was available to me as a kid in elementary school. In New York City, where I attended kindergarten through sixth grade, they called the gifted and talented class "SP". I remember being put into a class to learn French, but very little else. I figured out how ahead I was only when I entered junior high school in New Jersey. SITES 26 Livebinders for Gifted Teachers- by Teach a Gifted Kid bloggerADHD and Children Who Are Gifted Byrdseed Gifted Classroom Ideas- blog followed by 4,000 peopleCharacters of Intellectually Advanced Young PeopleThe Center for Gifted Studies- The Center for Talented Youth- for pre-collegiate students; through Johns Hopkins UniversityCommon Myths About Gifted Students Council for Exceptional ChildrenCrossover Children: LD and Gifted Gifted But Learning Disabled: A Puzzling Paradox Gifted Exchange-"blog about gifted children, schooling, parenting, education news and changing American education for the better."
Assignments - MrRoughton.com Rubric Cover Sheets How To Instructions Below you will find links to and descriptions of all the assignments we use for Choose Your Own Adventure. Click on the individual assignment links to get the full instructions and printable worksheets. The assignments are divided into three categories based on what skills you will use to complete them. History assignments for just about any topic! 5 Point Assignments20-30 Minutes to complete 10 Point Assignments45 minutes to complete 20 Point Assignments90 minutes to complete40 Point AssignmentsAll 40 point assignments require significant work outside of class and take up to 4 hours to complete.
NZ Interface Magazine | Eight habits of highly effective 21st ce We hear a lot about the 21st century learner – but what about the 21st century teacher? Andrew Churches investigates what makes them succeed. What are the characteristics we would expect to see in a successful 21st century educator? Well, we know they are student-centric, holistic, and they’re teaching about how to learn as much as teaching about the subject area. We know, too, that they must be 21st century learners as well. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.