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What Works for Differentiating Instruction in Elementary Schools
Differentiated instruction is important for any teacher, but in my class it is critical since I have a mix of third and fourth grade students. In fact, differentiation is a huge aspect of my multiage teaching philosophy. This article put differentiation into retrospect as it lays of what to do now, in the next five weeks, next five months, and even next five years. I like how this article also touches of ways technology can help enhance differentiated instruction. For example, I never thought about using Twitter to connect to other teachers and share ideas or to make a using Google Earth. The link to Edutopia's "Differentiated Instruction" discussion board opened up a whole of "can of worms" with real teachers ideas and questions. The last bullet point that stood out to me from this article was "Use Workshop Activities." In my classroom, we do Readers', Writers', and Math Workshop - all which are centered around tiered level of instruction to accommodate the varying students' needs. I believe this article is a great resource for any teacher to get tips about how to start and continue differentiating instruction in an elementary classroom.
I find I always struggle with "differentiated insrtuction" I teach computers and my instruction is already different then a normal classroom. I have asked my adminstrator to come and demonstrate different practices in my classroom but no one ever follows through. It makes me wonder if they don't know what to do in my class room, but yet still tell me I need more differentiation.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading your article it mentions using a K-W-L as a learning chart for your students and I have never thought about using one in that fashion. My students always fill out a K-W-L before we learn about a new place in the Western Hemisphere as it gives them a good chance to think about what they want to know. I may try this in the future.
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