Transcript Training

Differentiated Instruction
The philosophical
underpinning of best practices
Richard Cash, Ed.D.
www.nrichconsulting.com
Differentiated
Instruction
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The proactive planning of
curriculum and instruction so that
each student learns effectively.
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NOT just a “gifted” thing
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Many current practices are
“differentiation”- objective is to move
forward.
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Differentiated instruction
allows students multiple
options for:
 taking
in information,
 making sense of ideas, and
 expressing what they learn.
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A Differentiated Classroom
Learning
contracts
focuses on being student centered and
provides different avenues to
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Group
investigatio
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acquiring content (what students learn),
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processing (making sense of ideas), and
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developing products that demonstrate real
learning.
Independent
Projects
Varying
questions
Interest
groups
Learning
centers
Flexible
grouping
Compacting
Rubrics
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Teachers who differentiate:
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Provide students real choices in what they learn, how they learn and how
they demonstrate learning (flexible and varied),
Offer real-world challenges that are directly connected to the students’ lives
– i.e. home culture, language, background and experiences (rigorous and
relevant),
Present the curriculum through interdisciplinary “big ideas” versus
disconnected small facts (complex),
Utilize active, hands-on learning,
Make use of higher level thinking and questioning strategies,
Focus on students’ learning styles,
Incorporate creativity,
Emphasize brain-compatible instruction,
Use multi-media/technology,
Develop a sense of community,
Plan before, during and after instruction,
Create an environment of respect,
Have high expectations for ALL.
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EXAMPLES OR STUDENT
CENTERED INSTRUCTIONAL
STRATEGIES:
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Learning centers
Interest groups
Group investigations
Compacting
Learning contracts
Tiered
activities/assignments/products
Rubrics
Alternative forms of assessment
Independent Projects
Flexible grouping
Varying questions
Mentorships/ apprenticeships
Study buddies
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R. Cash, Ed.D.
Use of varied text and resources
Multi-age classrooms or groups
Interdisciplinary
Instruction production
Multiple intelligence instruction
Higher level thinking skills
Creative and critical thinking
skills
Concept based instruction
Open ended questioning
Use of metacognition
Whole class anchoring activity
Content & activities balanced
between student and teacher
selected
Mixed ability groups
Homogeneous groups
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Resources on Differentiation:
Teaching for Successful Intelligence
By Sternberg & Grigorenko
Differentiating Instruction in the Regular
Classroom: How to Reach And Teach All
Learners, Grades 3-12
By Diane Heacox
Brain-Based Learning &
Teaching with the Brain in Mind
By Eric Jensen
The Complete MI Book
By Kagan & Kagan
Eight Ways of Knowing &
Eight Ways of Teaching
By David Lazear
R. Cash, Ed.D.
Developing the Gifted & Talents of All
Students
By Joseph Renzulli
How to Differentiate Instruction
In Mixed-Ability Classrooms
By Carol Ann Tomlinson
Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular
Classroom: Strategies and Techniques
Every Teacher Can Use to Meet the
Academic Needs of the Gifted and
Talented
By Susan Winebrenner
Brain Matters: Translating Research
into Classroom Practice
By Patricia Wolfe
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