Differentiate by

CONTENT

Modify the facts and skills that the students are expected to learn

Content for ALL students should be concept-based, relevant and transferable

Differentiate Content by...
READINESS

• Do I have resources and/or books available at varying levels of difficulty?
  • Tool: Lexile Framework
• Do my students have a wide range of abilities and background knowledge of the topic or skill?
• Do I have assessment data that can help identify the level at which each student should begin working?

Differentiate Content by...
INTEREST

• Does the topic or concept allow for students to focus on one part of their choosing and still get the big idea?
  • Tool: Interest Inventory (Word)

Differentiate Content by...
LEARNING PROFILE

• Can the material be provided to suit a variety of modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, sequential, etc.)?
  • Tool: Learning Styles Assessment

Strategy Ideas:

• Compacting
• Flexible Grouping
• Instructional Ladders
• KWL Charts
• Literature Circles
• Scaffolding
• Varied Questions
• Varied Texts

• Flexible Grouping
• Jigsaw
• Orbitals

• Flexible Grouping
• Jigsaw
• Multiple Intelligence options
• Tape Recorded materials
• Videos
• WebQuests

Differentiate by

PROCESS

Modify the activities the students are doing to use skills and gain information

Process for ALL students should be purposeful and focused and should promote higher level thinking

Differentiate Process by...
READINESS

• Do I have activities and materials at varying levels of complexity available?

Differentiate Process by...
INTEREST

• Would it make sense to allow students to choose how they work with the ideas or skills? (experiment, read, research, etc.)

Differentiate Process by...
LEARNING PROFILE

• Would it be reasonable to provide different activities to accommodate various learning styles?

Strategy Ideas:

• Anchor Activities
• Appointment Clocks
• Centers/Stations
• Cubing

• Games
• Homework Options
• Learning Contracts
• Menus/Agendas
• Simulations
• Think-Tac-Toe
• Tiered Activities
• Varied Organizers
• Varied Pacing

• 4-MAT
• Arrangement Options (working alone, with a partner or in a small group)
• Multiple Intelligences
• Reading Buddies

Differentiate by

PRODUCT

Modify the method by which the students demonstrate what they learn

Products for ALL students should be focused on - and require the use of - the skills and concepts being taught

Differentiate Products by...
READINESS

• Can the final product or assessment be provided at varying levels of difficulty or complexity?
  • Tool: Rubrics

Differentiate Products by...
INTEREST

• Can the students choose a manner of demonstrating what they've learned and still focus on the key ideas and skills?
  • Tool: Ways to Show what You Know

Differentiate Products by...
LEARNING PROFILE

• Would it be reasonable to provide different assessments to accommodate various learning styles?

Strategy Ideas:

• Alternative Assessments
• Question Choices
• Performance Assessments
• Tiered Rubrics
• Varied Products