Please leave a comment to one of the following:
1. Tell about a positive experience you have had with Differentiating Instruction in your classroom.
2. Tell what plans you have for implementing Differentiated Instruction in the classroom.
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I have done in the past, math grouping in which students could "test" out of the items. Students really responded to the idea that they were able to test out and move on to something that challenged them. I had groups working on different concepts and the students were able to feel positive about their experience.
ReplyDeleteI have an Algebra I class that, of the 20+ students, only 2 are taking it for the first time. I am constantly trying to differentiate. I just gave them a test over chapter 2 - I'll tell you later how well the differentiating is workgin out.
ReplyDeleteI have had a really good experience using the search and sign activity as an assessment in my class on several occasions. I have even had students ask if they can create a search and sign for the class.
ReplyDeleteI plan on using DI strategies in my class as my district is full inclusion and using DI is necessary as part of the accommodations and modifications I've made for my SPED students and it is helping all of my students.
My plans for implimenting differentiated instruction is to challenge my gifted students. I want to impliment games that teach more in depth with the concepts that are being covered in class.
ReplyDeleteLora Christensen
Well I hope to use small groups more in my class. I know the secret to successful groups is to keep students engaged and try to place students in "like" groups. Not so "like" that they just want to goof off and play around but enough that they are able to work at a similar level.
ReplyDeleteI had the kids form 5 groups and each group had a statement that was either a fact or an opinion. As a group they had to decide what the statement was. Then put it where it belonged. Then we went back as a whole class and decided if they were in the correct place. The kids loved it because they totally thought it was easier. I also heard some great conversations going.
ReplyDeleteMy plans for implementing differentiated instruction in the classroom is to actually try to use it. I have definitely not got that down yet. Groups and independent work does not happen very frequently in my class. Centers are a challenge for me. It is something I have not mastered yet, that I would really like to do in my classroom. I feel like I lose to much control of their learning when they are working in groups. I hope to learn a few tips for using D.I. in a first grade classroom.
ReplyDelete1. I used the paper plate activity that was introduced as an assessment tool for parts of speech with my class. I had 5 plates with noun, verb, pronoun, adverbs and adjectives. The students were to write a word that fit the topic and write their assigned number below their answer. They also had to read all the other responses before they wrote their own since I would not allow any duplicates.
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with how well they did and was pleasantly surprised when they would look at the answers to help them come up with an answer of their own. If they did not have an answer, or were unsure of what to put, the other student answers helped them come up with an acceptable answer. It was pretty stress free and they all felt successful. It was actually very organized chaos...and we all loved it!!
I had each student complete the learning profile graph. I then grouped them where there were different types of learners at each group. It has turned out to be quite effective.
ReplyDeleteI've been using the study buddies that is the same as you o'clock partners. I was worried at first that sometimes the partnerships wouldn't work because of strong and weak partnerships or both weak. It has been very positive with no problems so far. I found that if I continue to facilitate groups around the room neither partner dominates. When both of my partners are weak academically it seems to give them both confidence and I actually seldom need to intercede. My students request study buddies everyday and with every subject so obviously it's very successful to them also.
ReplyDeleteI have had fun with the search and sign. My kids loved it. Today, I did the paper plates with grammar, parts of speech. It was a great assessment for me to see where I need to reteach - ADVERBS! :)
ReplyDeleteI basicaly do DI in my classroom everyday. I like it because all of my students are learning. We might go about it differently but I am seeing great results. My students are excited to come to class and we are having fun.
ReplyDeleteWhile doing evaluations, I was able to comment on the DI that was taking place in the class. During the post conference I was able to give other strategies to the instructor to add to their bag of tricks. What a great way to see DI in action.
ReplyDeleteI already use centers in my classroom, but I am constantly looking for ways to improve them. Centers are a way I use differentiated instruction in my classroom. I try to offer a variety of activities that appeal to each of my learners. I am also experimenting with visual and listening aids to enhance group learning experiences.
ReplyDeleteDifferentiated Instruction has been working very well with my students. They seem excited about the different ways I've been teaching. I have really enjoyed the different activities we have been working on. The biggest change I've noticed is that they want to do the work.
ReplyDeleteI believe that one of the most successful DI stratagies I have used in my classroom was the Search N Sign. Students had a great time moving around the room and it was a great way to review the material we have covered this year.
ReplyDeleteI had a parent send in a 2nd grade math facts sheet that her kindergarten daughter completed. She attached a note asking me how I could enhance her daughter's learning at her daughter's level. I thought of a couple of easy ways to add a level or two of difficulty without a lot of prep - because I only have one prep now that we lost music in our district. One was for her daughter to write the names of the pictures on the beginning sound page we do with each letter. Another was to choose a game or leveled reader out of the differentiated tubs that I put together. I also started her on an Independent AR program where she reads a book and then brings it to me to take an AR test. The mother was very pleased and the daughter is proud because she realized that she is ahead of the class:)
ReplyDeleteI have differentiated in my classroom by giving differnt students different assignments. My expectations are different based on where the student is in learning the concepts I have to teach. This year I have been working on having students read and follow directions. Some students will get no credit if the directions are not followed, while another will get full credit if they solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteI plan on doing small groups using poetry. We learned in class how we can do peer revising and it felt less intimadating when we were in partners and it was really fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm making file folders with things that I know my students need to work on. I will divide the file folders and games into three categories, low, medium and high.
ReplyDeleteThe DI class has been very helpful to me. I used the "search and sign" for assessment. I also used the "think and pair" activity. I am planning to apply all the techniques I learned from DI. They are all effective and they help me to adjust my teaching so it will meet the needs of my students.
ReplyDeleteI used the three facts and one fib but I accomodated it to work for my first graders. I used two facts and one fib. I thought it was going to be difficult for my students to comprehend when I gave them diretions but it went very well and the students were able to understand. This gave the class information about each other, that they did not know about before. They enjoyed sharing facts about themselves and it wasn't difficult for them to come up with fibs.
ReplyDeleteI have taken the opportunity to use DI in a small group setting for the past few weeks. I am working to pick up some missing pieces of reading readiness that some of my students have missed. I have three groups that I am concentrating on right now. I have created some little games that help review missing pieces and use time to work with these groups on these missing pieces. I have assessed the reading skills that we need to have in place and grouped my students depending on their needs. This group time has begome very popular with my kids. We are getting to the point we may have to redo the groupings and add to the games. It is, of course an ongoing process and we have only just begun.
ReplyDeleteClaire Young