Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated instruction is the
application of diverse, purposeful, and flexible strategies that
empower each unique learner to
access the full curriculum and achieve academic success.


Essential Question 
How do I effectively reach EVERY student in a heterogeneous environment?

Start here!!       Determine your own learning style

What are the specific characteristics and behaviors of my students?
What strategies can I use to enhance learning for every student?
What does it look like in my classroom?        Lessons and Classroom Management
How can I assess if I am meeting the needs of my students?

What are the specific characteristics and behaviors of my students?
Learning Styles
Multiple Intelligence
Learning Styles Explained Sternberg's Triarchic Model has three intelligences--Analytical, Creative, Practical. See what he has to say about his model and how to implement it in the classroom

How to Adjust Your Teaching Style to Students’ Learning Style offers articles on various aspects of adjusting your instruction to accommodate all students.

 Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
What special intelligences do you have? Take the test and see.
Learning-styles-online.com provides free information and tools to help you understand and use learning styles effectively.
Understanding Multiple Intelligences
Quick listing of the features of each intelligence and appropriate activities.
VARK--a guide to learning styles - lots of valuable information plus an online or printable quiz for younger children and a different one for older students.
Learning Styles Assessment – online quiz Tapping into Multiple Intelligences
Concept to Classroom Series--PBS ed online
Find a Child's Learning Style – online quiz Technology and Multiple Intelligences

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What strategies can I use to enhance learning for all students?
Strategies for Differentiating Differentiating Instruction Education Topics from ASCD
How to Differentiate Instruction
What's All the Hype? 		Reconcilable Differences? Standards-Based Teaching and Differentiation
Differentiating Instruction
Finding Manageable Ways to Meet Individual Needs		 How to Work Effectively with a Heterogeneous Classroom
Best Practices--Pieces of the Puzzle
The Best Practice site presents 8 pieces of the puzzle that together enable the creation of a differentiated classroom. Each piece contains best practices/instructional approaches that encourage the development of active, engaged, student-centered classrooms. Over 25 best practices are highlighted!		 Differentiated Instruction by
CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST, is a not-for-profit, education research and development organization that works to create opportunities for all students, especially those with disabilities, by using technology to make education more flexible and accessible.)

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What does it look like in my classroom?
Lesson Plans/Curriculum Components
Differentiated lessons for teachers posted by Leon County Schools, Florida
  • Elementary
  • Middle School
    		•

    A Differentiated Classroom
    by A Different Place ... a place on the Web to find differentiated activities in all content areas!  
    Tiered Curriculum Project
    This is an index of tiered lessons for each grade K-12    		 Anchor Activities
    Find the description, process, examples, assessment, and resources.
    Tiered Assignment Fact Sheet   The "Jigsaw" Technique--Overview of concept. 
    RAFT Assignments
    This writing strategy allows students creative options, particularly helpful for expository and persuasive writing The acronym stands for Role (of the writer), Audience, Format, and Topic (Example: Role=Huck Finn, Audience=Tom Sawyer, Format=Note Hidden In A Tree Knot, Topic=A Few Things You Should Know)     		The Jigsaw Classroom--The jigsaw classroom is a specific cooperative learning technique with a three-decade track record of success. Just as in a jigsaw puzzle, each piece--each student's part--is essential for the completion and full understanding of the final product.
    Alternative Ideas for Book Reporting
    in Primary Grades
    (can be adapted to other grades)    		 Sequencing The Mitten
    Sample lesson plan differentiated to ability, K-2
    Graphic Organizers and more Graphic Organizers Problem-Based Learning
    WebQuests   
    Classroom Management
    Managing the Differentiated Classroom Instructional and Management Strategies
    See PowerPoint presentations at bottom of page

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    How do I know I am addressing the needs of my students?
    Authentic Assessment
    Rubrics
    Authentic Assessment Toolbox
    Step by step development of an authentic assessment with lots of helpful information on rubrics, types of tasks, portfolio development and more.     		More rubric information

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