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http://faculty.scf.edu/sharric/lesson8/diffinst8.pdf

����Ways to Differentiate Instruction:�

• Design lessons based on students’ learning styles.
• Group students by shared interest, topic or ability for assignments.
• 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.
• Differentiate your instruction through content, processes, assessment and learning environments.

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Content�

• Differentiate by using Bloom’s taxonomy-

OLD Lower-level: comprehension, knowledge

Higher level: application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation

NEW Lower-level: remembering, understanding

Higher-level: applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating

• Those students not as academically adept- applying/analyzed
• Those students who are academically adept- evaluating/creating

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Examples:�

• Match vocabulary words to definitions.
• Read a passage of text and answer related questions.
• Think of a situation that happened to a character in

the story and a different outcome.

• Differentiate fact from opinion in the story.
• Identify an author’s position and provide evidence

to support this viewpoint.

• Create a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the

lesson.

• Note taking responses

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Process- Differentiate by learning preference-

Examples:

• Provide textbooks for visual and word learners.
• Allow auditory learners to listen to audio books.
• Give kinesthetic learners the opportunity to

complete an interactive assignment online.

• Reteaching
• Tiered instruction

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Product�

Differentiate by a creation produced by the student- teacher/student to choose the method

Examples:

• Read and write learners write a book report.
• Visual learners create a graphic organizer of the

story.

• Auditory learners give an oral report.
• Kinesthetic learners build a diorama illustrating the

story.

• Use of rubrics

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Learning Environment�

Differentiate the learning environment

Examples:

• Break some students into cooperative learning

groups to discuss the assignment.

• Allow students to read individually if preferred.
• Providing materials that reflect a variety of

cultures/homesettings

• Provide for movement in the classroom

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Differentiation �

Pros

• Research shows differentiated instruction is effective for high-ability students as well as students with mild to severe disabilities.
• When students are given more options on how they can learn material, they take on more responsibility for their own learning.
• Students appear to be more engaged in learning, and there are reportedly fewer discipline problems in classrooms where teachers provide differentiated lessons.

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Differentiation �

Cons

• Differentiated instruction requires more work during lesson planning, and many teachers struggle to find the extra time in their schedule.
• The learning curve can be steep and some schools lack professional development resources.
• Critics argue there isn’t enough research to support the benefits of differentiated instruction outweighing the added prep time.

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Non-Examples Of � Differentiated Instruction�

• Assigning ‘advanced’ students to teach

‘struggling’ students.

• Giving ‘advanced’ students no homework.
• Grouping students into different classes based

on their ability.

• Letting advanced students out of class early or

giving them more free time.

• Simply allowing students to choose their own

books to read off of a list.