Differentiation 101
Differentiation means doing this to the content being taught. It can also mean doing this to the methods used for teaching or the projects that students create.
What is "modifying" or "changing"
These two subject areas have students in classrooms based on their current learning level.
What is Art of Language and World of Math
Besides sitting in a chair, students may frequently be found sitting in these two other spots.
What is the floor and a wiggle seat?
This learning strategy uses tools like decks of cards and dice to review and practice things already learned.
What are games?
Because students are individuals with their own interests, preferences, and needs, viewing them as this type of student recognizes that instruction will not be the same for each student. (hint: it's in the title)
What is unique?
Themes in each content area such as patterns or change, that focus on main concepts.
What are the Big Ideas?
Many gifted students are extra sensitive to sensory stimulus. Students who are sensitive to auditory noise have access to these helpful devices.
What are headphones? Also, students can wear a hat to help with light sensitivity.
Writing our objectives in this each class period helps students connect to the big ideas and keep track of their learning.
What is their planner?
These are not just for grades. These help teachers understand what students have already learned and where to focus instruction.
What are tests or assessments.
In Inquiry, students will be learning about these two ancient civilizations famous for their pyramids and Great Wall.
What is Ancient Egypt and Ancient China
We practice listening, speaking, turn taking, and cooperation when we work in this instead of by ourselves.
What is a group?
Activities set up for students in different spots of the room that focus on different ways to learn a topic or skill are called this.
What are centers or stations.
Named for a popular children's book about a girl who tries out various chairs and beds until she finds one that is just right, this instruction ensures that students are being taught at a moderating challenging level.
What is the "goldilocks zone" or Zone of Proximal Development
This is the part of the day that focuses on our social and emotional development. These lessons are reinforced throughout the day.
What is Life Skills?
These agreed-upon and class-generated guidelines help us work together as a class to ensure all have an opportunity to learn.
What is a Social Contract?
To show what they have learned, students may draw and label a diagram, write a story, make a comic strip, or other option that gives them this.
What is choice?
Teaching and learning material by giving a test first to see what students know and then moving on to new content allows for students to work in this type of pacing.
What is accelerated (or faster)?
On Friday afternoons, students are given the opportunity to investigate a topic of choice through this project.
What is Power Hour?
These skills that grow with practice and maturity include planning, time management, self-control, organization, and self-monitoring.
What are Executive Functioning Skills
If a student can demonstrate they have learned something already to mastery, they will be given the opportunity to create this type of agreement with the teacher to focus their learning on something else.
What is a learning contract.