Meeting the Diverse Needs of All Learners:

One Size Does Not Fit All

Agenda

• Differentiation Defined• A Day in the Life• Distinguishing Differences• Closing Discussion

Differentiation Defined

Differentiation is teaching with planned responsiveness to learner

needs in order to ensure maximum growth of each learner in and beyond essential learning

outcomes.-Carol Ann Tomlinson

Elements to Differentiate

• Content (what students learn)

• Process (how they learn it)

• Product (how they demonstrate what they have learned)

Differentiation is…

• proactive • student- centered• rigorous & meaningful

at appropriate level of instruction

• a blend of whole-class, small group, and individual instruction

Comparison of Two Classroom Settings

Classroom Element How it Looks in a Traditional Classroom

How it Looks in a Differentiated Classroom

Role of the Teacher

Leader/InstructorSource of Information

Facilitator/Guide/MotivatorGatherer of Information

Role of the Student

Passive/ListenerQuiet

Active ParticipantsCooperative Planners

The Curriculum One level/textbook

One learning style

Workbook/worksheets

Standards-based, multi-leveled units of instructionAddresses varied learning styles and multiple intelligencesVarious instructional materials such as authentic literature, math manipulatives, technology resources

Assessment Tests & Quizzes

Evaluates product (one right answer)

Multiple assessments such as performance tasks, tests & quizzes, self-assessment, observationsEvaluates both product and process (strategy used by student to arrive at answer)

A Day in the Life…

Evesham Township Schools believe that meeting the needs of all students is critical to providing a thorough and efficient education. In order to provide for the many diverse talents of our students, our curriculum does the following:

•Provides exposure to critical thinking and problem-solving opportunities•Imbeds multi-leveled tasks and projects within each subject area•Refines and enriches individual development of higher order thinking processes

Distinguishing Differences

• Temperament• Interests• Life Experiences• Culture• Special Needs• English Language

Learners• Gifted & Talented

Tier III

• Students who show high levels of ability, creativity, and task commitment

• Functioning at significantly higher rate than peers (minimum of 2 grade levels above)

• Identified students, initial summary report & action plan

• Student selected tasks, quarterly enrichment logs

• Annual Summary Report

Distinguishing Differences

Bright Gifted

Closing

Meeting the Diverse Needs of All Learner:One Size Does Not Fit All