Differentiated

Instruction

Differentiation
as a way of
teaching
Differentiation
means giving
students multiple
options for taking in
information
(Tomlinson, 1999)
Differentiated instruction is
a teaching philosophy
based on the premise that
teachers should adapt
instruction to student
differences.

-Carol Ann Tomlinson

 TEACHERS WHO PRACTICE
DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CLASSROOM
MAY:

Design lessons based on students’ learning styles.

Group students by shared interest, topic, or ability for
assignments.
Assess students’ learning using formative assessment.
Manage the classroom to create a safe and supportive
environment.
Continually assess and adjust lesson content to meet
students’ needs.
KEY PRINCIPLES THAT FORM THE
FOUNDATION OF
DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION.

Ongoing, formative Group Work

assessment -Learning in groups enables
=Teachers continually assess to students to engage in
identify students’ strengths and meaningful discussions and to
areas of need so they can meet
observe and learn from one
students where they are and Choice
another.
help them move forward.
-Teachers offer students choice
and by negotiating with
students, teachers can create
Recognition of diverse
Problem Solving motivating assignments that
learners
=This encourages all students meet students’ diverse needs
-Students have diverse levels of
to explore big ideas and and varied interests.
expertise and experience with
expand their understanding of -
reading, writing, thinking,
key concepts.
problem solving, and speaking.
The
Elements
of Effective
Teamwork
 16 DIFFERENTIATED
INSTRUCTION STRATEGIES
1. Create Learning Stations
2. Use Task Cards
3. Interview Students
4. Target Different Senses
Within Lessons
5. Share Your Own Strengths
and Weaknesses
6. Use the Think-Pair-Share
Strategy
7. Make Time for Journaling
8. Implement Reflection and
Goal-Setting Exercises
9. Run Literature Circles
10. Offer Different Types of Free
Study Time
11. Group Students with Similar
Learning Styles
12. Give Different Sets of
Reading Comprehension
Activities
13. Assign Open-Ended Projects
14. Encourage Students to
Propose Ideas for Their Projects
15. Analyze Your Differentiated
Instruction Strategy on a
Regular Basis
16. “Teach Up”
TRADITIONAL VS. DIFFERENTIATED
Pros and cons
of
differentiated
instruction
 Research shows differentiated
instruction is effective for high-

PROS
ability students as well as students
with mild to severe disabilities.

When students are given more

options on how they can learn
material, they take on more
responsibility for their own
learning.

Students appear to be more

engaged in learning, and there are
reportedly fewer discipline
problems in classrooms where
teachers provide differentiated
lessons.
 Differentiated instruction requires

CONS more work during lesson planning,

and many teachers struggle to find
the extra time in their schedule.

The learning curve can be steep

and some schools lack professional
development resources.

Critics argue there isn’t enough

research to support the benefits of
differentiated instruction
outweighing the added prep time.
 References:

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/what-differentiated-instruction/
https://slideplayer.com/slide/9239431/
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Differentiated-instruction-flow-chart-from-Tomlinson-
1999-2008_fig2_320104312
https://www.slideshare.net/jillaaguilar/differentiated-instruction-5561331
https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/differentiated-instruction-strategies-examples-download/
https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/examples-of-differentiated-instruction/