Differentiating

Instruction
BY JOHN STEPP

What is differentiated instruction?

Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether

teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the
use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to
instruction.

Kagan Class Set Up

Before I attempt to differentiate instruction, I first set my room up in a way that lends itself
to differentiation.

The easiest way for me to do this is through Kagan Cooperative Learning structures.

Kagan Structures
Mixed-Pair-Share:
The class mixes until the teacher
calls pair. Students find a new
partner to discuss or answer the
teachers questions.

Rally Robin:
Students take turns
responding orally with their
partners.

Kagan Structures
Rally Coach:

Numbered Heads Together:

Partners take turns, one

solving a problems while
the other coaches.

Teammates put their heads together to reach

consensus on the teams answer. Everyone keeps
on their toes because their number may be called
to share the teams answer.

Differentiation Instruction
Strategies
Jigsaw Method
Jigsaw Steps Assign Topics Expert Groups Meet Experts
Consult Experts Create a Teaching Plan Experts Return to
Teams to Share and Tutor Demonstration of Knowledge

Differentiation Instruction
Literature Circles:
Strategies
Literature circles have to be differentiated; by nature each group will read books
at different levels on different topics. Struggling readers can select a text at their
level; the teacher can provide direct support to that group or can include a couple
of higher-readers.

Differentiation Instruction
Strategies
WebQuests
WebQuest assignments adhere to
the philosophy of differentiated
instruction in that it gives students,
particularly gifted students, an
opportunity to make choices based
on ability and interests, and
individual motivation to learn.

Using Technology to Differentiate

Differentiation and student choice are
both required of teachers, according to
the framework, by which Kentucky
educators are evaluated. One way to
ensure that we are differentiating and
implementing student choice into our
daily lessons is through the use of
technology. Technology can allow student
a more flexible learning path, but using
tools and various mediums to research
and find information in any subject. The
graphic on this slide looks at many ways
this can be achieved, including, but not
limited to: classroom blogs, wiki spaces,
presentations, podcasts, etc.

Using Technology to Differentiate

Handheld Devices
It seems all students have handheld
devices, such as iPhones, iPods, iPads,
tablets and similar devices that can be
used for not only differentiating, but to
have fun in the classroom. Students can
simply use these devices as tools such as a
dictionary, thesaurus, or calculator. There
are also numerous educational apps that
track students progress and achievements.
At Sandersville, we use iPads in our
classroom to help differentiate instruction,
along with meeting our Tier II needs.

Goal setting, Monitoring, and

Analyzing Data
Goal Setting
Each student in the classroom
needs a defined goal in every
subject. This could be completing all
of their multiplication facts,
reaching a certain number of words
per minute in fluency, or managing
and being self-aware with their
behavior.

Monitoring Data
To meet the needs of each student, the teacher
must monitor data consistently. The teacher
should be the expert when it comes to his/her
students. Monitoring data will allow the teacher
to conference with each student and make sure
they are staying on track with their goal
setting.

Analyzing Data
Most importantly, teachers need to analyze data. This allows
teachers to continue to differentiate instruction and meet
individual needs. This gives the teacher the information needed to
push the student forward, or reteach certain concepts.
Differentiation and the analysis of data can help students raise
their achievements and skill levels at an accelerated pace.