Current Differentiation
The beauty of a 1:1 classroom is the ability to naturally differentiate assignments to meet the needs of all students. In this school year alone, I had a range of students on a K-9 reading level. Because of the variety of needs, I was able to create projects and assignments that would provide scaffolding for my students along the way while also providing extension areas to keep my high-achievers learning and growing.
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Previous Differentiation Practices
My second graders have a variety of needs in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. In order to build on their strengths and improve their areas of struggle, I have a 30 minute block set aside each day called Workshop. In Workshop, students work in collaborative groups at their instructional level on a variety of academic games and tasks. These students are taught to manage their own learning in these groups while I pull a group each day for guided reading or guided practice in math. Students enjoy the independence Workshop provides, as well as the engaging and fun activities they are able to complete each day.
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The attached files below are examples of my lesson plans for Workshop.
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Differentiation During my Internship
Differentiated Instruction is an essential component of teaching. Students have a wide variety of strengths and abilities. In order to capitalize on what they do well and support the areas they struggle in, a teacher must provide differentiation.
In mathematics, I would provide two different worksheets for practice after a lesson. One worksheet had friendly numbers and friendly facts, such as multiplication facts for 10 and below, while another worksheet that was more challenging used multiplication facts up to 15. Both groups of students practiced the same concept, yet were able to do the computation on varied levels.
In reading, students can choose their books from a leveled set. They will still have the choice for what they read, but they will also be reading something appropriate for their reading ability. Some students who struggle with their reading also benefit from more guidance, such as a provided guide to complete as the student reads.
In writing, students were sometimes given options to write about. Students who struggled with their writing would be given fewer options to focus on while other students would be given a broader range to expand on their writing. These options would be stapled into their notebooks so every individual student would have specific prompts.
In mathematics, I would provide two different worksheets for practice after a lesson. One worksheet had friendly numbers and friendly facts, such as multiplication facts for 10 and below, while another worksheet that was more challenging used multiplication facts up to 15. Both groups of students practiced the same concept, yet were able to do the computation on varied levels.
In reading, students can choose their books from a leveled set. They will still have the choice for what they read, but they will also be reading something appropriate for their reading ability. Some students who struggle with their reading also benefit from more guidance, such as a provided guide to complete as the student reads.
In writing, students were sometimes given options to write about. Students who struggled with their writing would be given fewer options to focus on while other students would be given a broader range to expand on their writing. These options would be stapled into their notebooks so every individual student would have specific prompts.
In science and social studies, students are expected to collaborate. Pairing and grouping students together who will support each other during lessons is crucial to promote positive peer interactions.
Both subjects also require substantial reading and writing. Being aware of students' ability in these subjects allows for lessons designed to support students when they need it and promote their strengths.
Both subjects also require substantial reading and writing. Being aware of students' ability in these subjects allows for lessons designed to support students when they need it and promote their strengths.