"What is the best advice you can give to a teacher about differentiating instruction?" A seasoned teacher, inquired. Very powerful question and upon reflecting with the co-worker we determined the following:
1) Start small. Begin with steps that feel right to you. Differentiation is not hard. Change is. Go in a direction likely to result in some success. Start with one class. Start with 10 minutes a day or 20 minutes a week. Just start!! 2) Study your students. The more you see them as distinct individuals; the more you understand them as human beings. Motivation will be evident. 3) Use formative assessments regularly (ones you develop to be close to your teaching--not standardized ones). It will be clear to see where your students are in relation to your learning goals. You will understand clearly what you need to do next to help students move ahead from their starting points. 4) Invest time in thinking through classroom routines--giving directions, handling transitions, starting and stopping tasks, using materials effectively. Envision how you want things to work and help your students do the same. I have learned to enjoy video recording instruction and reflecting with a co-worker. 5) Make the students your partners in creating a classroom that works well for everyone. Do differentiation with them. Explain your thinking. Ask for their input. Enlist their help in making sure the classroom runs smoothly. Get their input on which approaches work best for them. Differentiation just asks of us what we commend for our students: flexible thinking, intellectual risk-taking, problem-solving--and a deepening sense of humanity. |
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