DIFFERENTIATED CLASSROOMS

What's Behind the Idea of Differentiated Classrooms?

by Carol Ann Tomlinson

WHO and WHAT are we teachings?

WHO and WHAT are we teachings?

• Student traits
• Readiness
• Interest
• Learning Profile
•  Affect

• Classroom Elements
• Content
• Process
• Product
• Learning Environment

 THE COGS OF DIFFERENTIATION

The Student Seeks

The Teacher Responds

Curriculum & Instruction Are the Vehicle

Hallmarks of Differentiated Classroom

 

1. A strong link between assessment and instruction
2. Absolute clarity about what the teacher wants the students to know, understand, and be able to do--about what is truly important to learn in this unit
3. Shared responsibility for the classroom is between teacher and students, in the goal of making it work for everyone.
4. Individual growth is emphasized as central to classroom success
5. A "way up, " usually through multiple and varied pathways, and never a "way out"
6. "Respectful" and engaging work for all students
7. Proactive thinking and planning for different pathways
8. Flexible grouping
9. Flexible use of time, space, and materials

 DIFFERENTIATION

dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion

difərenSHēˈāSHən/

noun

noun: differentiation; plural noun: differentiation

the action or process of differentiating.

What Is Differentiated Instruction? Differentiated instruction is a way to reach students with different learning styles, different abilities to absorb information and different ways of expressing what they have learned.   Differentiated teaching is responsive teaching Teachers must balance the needs of the students and teaching the required curriculum Responsive Teaching: Who we teach Where we teach What we teach How we teach Hallmarks of Differentiated Classroom There is a strong link between assessment and instruction The teacher is clear about learning goals The teacher groups students flexibly The teacher uses time, space, and materials flexibly The teacher involves her students in understanding the nature of the classroom and in marking it work for everyone The teacher emphasizes individual growth as central to the success of the classroom The teacher works to ensure that all students have “respectful” work The teacher makes sure differentiation is always “a way up,” never “a way out” The teacher set her own sights height, just as she asks her students to set their sights high The teacher seeks specialists’ active partnership in her classroom The teacher’s differentiation is largely proactive rather than reactive Student Characteristics Readiness Interest Learning profile Curricular Elements Content Process Products Understanding the benefits to differentiated teaching and how to apply it in my instruction will benefit my future students. ~ Colleen What is Differentiated Instruction? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAWKxpCv1Fw

Morning Meeting

MORNING MEETING

 

 

The Structure of Morning Meeting

• GREETING
• SHARING
• GROUP ACTIVITY
• NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (Chart)

Rationale for Morning Meeting

• This had a significant effect on student attitudes, productivity, engagement in learning, and academic achievement.

The Influence of Morning Meeting

• Helps students develop cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control

Building Community

• Ideas to Help
• Involve Everyone
• Wipe the Slate Clean - Focus on the positive
• Recognize Successes - Positive energy
• Don’t Stop There - Community involvement/Working together

Building Bridges

• Before you begin - Introduce good friendship
• Bridging the friendship gap - Learn about other students
• Building bridge models - Promote cooperation, respect, and stronger friendships
• Friendship Bulletin Board - Compare friendship to a bridge (“Suspended by Friendship”)
• Balancing Act - Activity (Supporting others)
• Graphing Common Interests - Share common interests and put them on the bulletin board
• Beam-bridge Job Chart - The classroom should work together to help the school day flow smoothly
• Friendship Booklets - Make booklets about themselves and compare interests with their friends
• Extending the theme - Continue with the theme/Encourage students to keep journals to record all that they learn during the process

Sylvia Allan ~ Guest Speaker
Monday, January 27, 2014
This was a very informative event. Sylvia is energetic and so positive in her approach,  not only in using Morning Meetings in her classroom, but in life. I felt she gave us an honest example to the benefits to using Morning Meetings. I plan to use Morning Meetings, it will aid in building a classroom community and a positive atmosphere for everyone. Sylvia also suggested having a class cheer and coming together, in a huddle, when using the cheer!