20 ideas for differentiation

20 Ideas for Differentiation

1. Provide text books for visual and word learners.

2. Allow auditory learners to listen to audio books.

3.Give kinesthetic learners the opportunity to complete an interactive assignment.

4. Read and write learners write a book report.

5. Visual learners create a graphic organizer of a story.

6. Auditory learners give an oral report.

7. Kinesthetic learners build a diorama illustrating the story

8. Break students into reading groups to discuss the assignment.

9. Allow students to read individually if preferred or in small groups.

10. Make sure there are areas for quiet time and areas that allow for discussion and collaboration.

11. Give students time to read during quiet times.

12. Produce different sets of worksheets depending on student’s abilities or use a progression so they get harder as they go.

13. Allow an aid to assist students when students are writing or provide them with the info already typed.

14. Provide materials that reflect a variety of cultures and home settings.

15. Have extra work on hand for those students who work quickly or offer more challenging questions.

16. Allow for assessment during as well as at the end of a lesson so that teaching can be adjusted as well as a student’s learning.

17. Using manipulative with math when needed. Maybe change up the manipulatives if need be.

18. To convey important concepts, a teacher can use aids such as computer programs, tape recorders and videos.

19. Test taking by someone reading the questions to the student vs the student having to read it.

20. Offer the tests on the computer.

21. Interactive games that allow for differentiation in learning.

a. www.kidsspell.com

b. www.Learninggamesforkids.com

c. www.education.com/games

d. www.adaptedmind.com

e. www.funbrain.com

Some of the items that I have listed offer differentiation in the way that content is delivered to my students. Some students in a class may be unfamiliar with the concepts being taught, some may have some understanding and some may already be familiar. By offering different content it allows students to progress at a level that works for them.

The process is another thing to consider. Each student has a different way of learning that works best for them. Differentiation includes delivering the material to each style such as visual, auditory and kinesthetic and through words. Not all students require the same amount of support from a teacher. Some students are going to like to work in groups, other may like to work individually.

How a student presents the final product may need to be offered differently. This can be in the form of tests, projects, reports or other activities. Not all students will be able to show what they have learned in the same way. Some students have test anxiety and are not good test takers; therefore they may need other opportunities to show what they have learned.

The websites that I have listed offer students the opportunity to advance their learning by offering games that advance students as they work thru the problems. The students can select a level that works for them and then select harder levels as they progress. There are many great resources that are offered online.