Differentiated Instruction

Presented by:
Krysta Menzies
Audience:
K-2nd
Date:
April 15th, 2019
Objectives and Standards

 To have a deeper understanding for the usage and importance of differentiated learning
within your classroom
 How to implement differentiated instruction without making any major changes in your
existing classroom model
 NBTS Proposition 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning
 1. Teachers recognize individual differences in their students and adjust their practice
accordingly
 CSTP Standard 1.1- Using knowledge of students to engage them in learning
 CSTP Standard 1.4- Using a variety of instructional strategies, resources and technologies to
meet students diverse learning needs
Think of your favorite lesson you
have ever taught to students…

Why was it memorable?

What components of it were most engaging?
Did your students have fun?
Did you have fun teaching it?
Chances are, you were using components of
differentiated instruction
 What is differentiated instruction?

Differentiated instruction is
tailoring our curriculum and
lessons to meet the
individual needs of our
students.
 What aspects of learning can
educators differentiate?

Content Learning
Process
and Product Environment
Be sure to differentiate based on
student’s…

Learning
Readiness Interests
Profile
Differentiated instruction has been found to be effective
for a wide range of students, from those with learning
disabilities to those considered high achieving.

The traditional style of teaching, lecturing and teacher

led, has been found to be the least effective way of
teaching, with only a 5-10 percent retention rate after 24
hours!
 How can we
plan for
differentiation?
• Design lessons based on
students’ learning styles.
• Group students by shared
interest, topic, or ability
• 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.
 Formative assessment
Keep in mind… ideas:
-thumbs up, thumbs down
-observe students
-play simple games
-white boards

Assessing does not always =

How can I start implementing differentiated
instruction strategies, specifically at HOPE?

• Start small
• Utilize techniques on just a few lessons out of a whole unit

• Utilize a differentiated lesson planner

• Consider changing your classroom seating or layout

• Communicate ideas to your team and

administrators!
Example of differentiated lesson planner and
lesson
 First:
Work together to
plan a math lesson
utilizing either the
“Tiered Activity
Planning Template”
Kindergarten: Second:
or “Differentiated
Unit Planner”.
Work together to plan Work together to
a language lesson plan a writing lesson
utilizing either the utilizing either the
“Tiered Activity “Tiered Activity
Planning Template” or Planning Template”
“Differentiated Unit or “Differentiated
Planner”. Unit Planner”.
 Let’s compare…
Think of your original lesson
from the beginning of the
presentation
 What aspects were
differentiated?
 What aspects were traditional?
 If differentiation was used, what
techniques?
 Knowing what you know now, is
there anything you would
change?
Think of your mini lesson you
just created with your
team
 What aspects were
differentiated?
 Were any aspects traditional?
 Did you like this lesson more?
Why or why not?
 What techniques of
differentiation did you use?
• What will you start doing
to incorporate more
differentiated instruction
techniques in your
classroom?
 Resources
• Nieves, K. (2018) Differentiated in a Rigid Curriculum
• Guido, M. (2016) 20 Differentiated Instruction Strategies and
Examples

• Weselby, C. (2014) What is Differentiated Instruction? Examples of How

Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom

• Huebner, T. (2010) What Research Says About Differentiated Instruction