Diverse Learners

July 10, 2013

I can successfully adapt lesson plans to include differentiated activities.

Learning Target

Padlet

http://padlet.com/wall/lifelist1112 http://

padlet.com/wall/diverse_learners What is a diverse learner? What is differentiation? What should differentiation look like?

Sticky Note

Ability Level Achievement Level Learning Style Personality

Interests Maturity Home Environment Language

Why Differentiation?

Middle school learners are diverse learners:

We must meet students where they are.

What Differentiation Is—And Is Not

Differentiation Is…

Providing learning options: Ways students

explore curriculum Variety of sense-

making activities Variety of options for

demonstration of mastery

Differentiation Is Not…

All students doing the same assignments

Grading students harder than others

Letting students play games when they finish early

“Regular work, plus”

Tomlinson’s Four Characteristics of a

Differentiated Classroom: Instruction is concept focused and principle

driven. On-going assessment of student readiness and

growth are built into the curriculum. Flexible grouping is consistently used. Students are active explorers, and teachers are

facilitators.

Four Characteristics of a Differentiated

Classroom

Tiered Activities:

Type of differentiation Learning tasks and projects developed based on

student need Based on pre-assessment Vary:

TASK for different levels PROCESS for different levels PRODUCT appropriately to demonstrate learning

Differentiation Through Tiered

Activities

Make a list of descriptive, sensory and/or

comparative words to describe your chocolate. Create 3 SIMILES to help someone understand

how you feel about your chocolate. Create a warning label to attach to your

chocolate. Finish these analogies:

Chocolate is to stress as ___________ is to ___________________.

Chocolate is to happiness as ________ is to ___________________.

Tiered Chocolate Activity

Discussion Director:

Leads discussion around differentiating activities; ensures ideas of all group members are heard

Scribe: Records ideas from the discussion and ensures that activities

are written up effectively and coherently Research Extraordinaire:

Coordinates research on differentiation strategies as needed Quality Control:

Ensures differentiated strategies align with best practices; plays “Devil’s Advocate” to further facilitate refining activities

Group Roles

TASK for different levels PROCESS for different levels PRODUCT appropriately to demonstrate

learning

In your content-specific group, please write a differentiated lesson that includes at least three tiered activities.

Tiering by:

http://padlet.com/wall/HPS_differentiation

What is a strategy you can use to differentiate in your classroom?

Tying it all together

3-2-1 Protocol

3 expectations for differentiation in your team 2 ways in which you need support 1 “go-to” strategy your team can use

Team Reflection

Talented and Gifted Department, Portland Public Schools. (2009). Tiered: Lessons, Activities, Instruction. Retrieved from: www.pps.k12.or.us/files/curriculum/6-8_Common_Tiering.pptmTomlinson, C. A. (1995). Differentiating instruction for advanced learners in the mixed-ability middle school classroom. ERIC Digest, Retrieved from http://www.ericdigests.org/1996-3/mixed.htm

Resources: