Differentiation

Just some easy ways to differentiate in your classroom~

I use the process we used to group for ELA - In excel, I order students' SRI scores from high to low , than split them in half - I group high with middle low and low with middle high to ensure my highest students are not grouped with my lowest students.

When students are working in their groups, reading and answering discussion questions, I have already identified my lowest readers as well as those students who are struggling with content.  I will move from group to group providing support for those students by re-directing, asking questions and noting understanding.

When students are reading silently and answering questions independently, I will than work in small groups with those struggling readers and/or students who did fair well on their last assessment.  I will read aloud asking students to summarize my reading and provide students opportunities to read aloud to me to check their fluency and provide strategies they can use to improve their understanding - such as using text features.

During center work, while it is compelling to put struggling students together to work on a less challenging activities, those activities may still be difficult and as a result those students continue to struggle and become frustrated if I cannot help them immediately.  So, I still try to be mindful of how I group my students to ensure struggling students receive support, while higher level students are challenged - this is an ongoing challenge.

When sharing responses, I will selectively call on struggling students, but first will provide opportunities for group discussion to ensure students are confident in their response.