Differentiation is a MUST!

Differentiation is the act of tailoring and modifying inctruction based on the needs of individual students. By differentiating your lessons, your are giving students from all walks of life and with all differnt learning abilities the best chance to learn and succeed.

Lower-level Students
Students with lower academic abilities often need more supports for their prior skills to help build a firm and solid foundation for any future learning. They need hands-on activites and a diversity of learning modes. They may not also be able to show their understanding through standard tests or assessments, sometimes they may need different forms of assessment ot trully show what htye know and are capable of doing. These students most likely already feel discourage because of their academic struggles, it is our job as teachers to constantly and continuously encourage them and help them feel valued within our classroom.

Strategies:

• Anchor charts
• Visuals
• Video Modeling
• Demonstrate think alouds and the thinking process
• Lists
• Sensory Activites
• Google Doc Collaboration
• FlipGrid
• SeeSaw
• Limited answer choices
• Verbal Exams
• Drawings instead of writings
• One-on-one meetings
• Classroom Jobs

Average Level Students

These are students who are in the middle of the spectrum, not overachieving, but not necessarily underachieving, just meeting the standard right where its at. These students usually need reinforcment of strategies and need misconceptions to be corrected. They tend to be more successful with specific strategies. These students often can show understanding in many ways. Sadly, these student get overlooked the most because they do not need extra help, nor do they need extra challenge. 

Higher-level Students

These students are the ones that are not only meeting the standard, but are exceeding it. They need more challenge and may want to use different strategies than what has been taught. The can show their understanding in many ways that demonstrates their strengths. Many times these students get bored in the classroom from a lack of challenge.