Being More Intentional with Differentiation

Summer Institute 2016‎ > ‎Day 2 & 3: Instruction & Achievement Sessions‎ > ‎Effective Practice Sessions‎ > ‎

M-5

Session Description

How are we differentiating for our students? (content, learning styles, interest, ability?) What are tools that can make differentiation easier for teachers? (both presentation and planning) Assessment for differentiation- should it be different? How should we/can we assess learning?

Learner Outcomes

By the end of the sessions participants will know / be able to:

Define what differentiation means
Be able to differentiate through Content, Process, and Product
Create a differentiated lesson plan

Warm Up:

(15 Minutes )

Before you can begin to differentiate, it's important to learn how your students think and learn.

Take a few moments to complete this Multiple Intelligences Self Assessment based on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

Share out your TWO most dominant learning styles to the Answer Garden below.

Activity 1: What is Differentiation?

(15 minutes )

A. Think-Pair-Share: Frayer Model

This is an example of how to differentiate for vocabulary. We will do an example together, and then you will complete your Think-Pair-Share with "differentiation" in the middle.

B. It's Important to recognize what differentiation is NOT. Check out this infographic detailing the differences between what Differentiation IS and is NOT. Complete a Six Word Story to summarize your thoughts and write it on your post-it before hanging it on the wall.

Activity 2: How Can I Differentiate?

(30 minutes )

Differentiating is a vital part of lesson planning. In order to reach each of your students on their level and grow them from where they are, you need to have some tools in your tool belt. Check out this great article from Edutopia on "3 Ways to Plan for Diverse Learners: What Teachers Do" and then use the time during this activity to explore how to differentiate by Content, Process, and Product.

Based on your response to the form below, you will pick up a QR code that corresponds to your first area of exploration.

Ready to explore more? Check out the other Smores!

Activity 3: Let's Discuss What We've Learned

We will take about 20 minutes to conclude with sharing what we have learned about Intentional Differentiation.

Why is differentiation important to reach all learners?
How did we model differentiation today?
Share your aha's
What ideas do you have for revamping a current lesson you teach?

Make sure you fill in your P.I.E. Note taker before leaving this session.