Differentation

What is Differentiation?

• An instructional framework that has a primary goal of bringing rich, rigorous, meaningful curriculum

Differentiation is not a set of strategies, but rather a way of thinking about teaching and learning.

Differentiate What?

• Content
• Process
• Product

How?

• Student readiness
• Student interest

Why?

• Access to learning
• Motivation, engagement
• Efficiency of learning
• Appropriate challenge
• Opporunity to express learning

Content: What to Teach

• Materials at different reading levels
• Small group instruction
• Graphic organizers to support note taking
• Contemporary lecture
• Tip: Know your students!

Process: How we teach

• Differentiated homework
• Work at centers or stations based on students' points of entry
• Tiered assignments
• Menus and learning contracts
• Tip: Quality over variety

Product: How we assess

• Models of quality student work at different levels of sophistication
• Graduated rubrics with personalized student targets
• Materials at different levels of complexity
• Make a deal
• Tip: Backward map first!

Activity time!