Module 7 Assignment A7: Scholarly Writing Paper: Leading for Learning
How to Effectively Implement Differentiated Instruction in the Standards-Based Classroom
Xavier Anderson
EDUC 8011
Fall 2011
Walden University
Introduction
Most modern day classrooms are structured to operate under the premises that students must demonstrate mastery of specific state mandated standards in order to show academic growth. The purpose of this paper is to explore some effective methods to effectively implement differentiated instruction in the standards based classroom. As a result of various education initiatives, the focus of education has now shifted to developing students who are able to consistently meet and exceed academic standards.
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In order to provide students with appropriate learning experiences, teachers must have a clear understanding of individual student interest, learning styles, strengths, and academic needs ( Beecher. 2008). Teachers in the standards based classroom can best implement differentiated instruction by using a multi-sensory approach to expose students to grade level standards. Use of a multi-sensory approach assures that each students’ individual learning needs are met. Providing a multi-sensory approach also give students the opportunity to explore various learning styles. While a student may learn best using a particular approach, it is also beneficial that they learn how to access information using various learning styles.
Conclusion
When properly implemented, the differentiated instruction theory helps teachers design learning experiences that provide students with access to grade level standards through use of a multi-sensory approach. This multi-sensory approach will help students take ownership of their learning by enabling them (students) to facilitate their own learning. Engaging students in this type of learning will also allow teachers to have more individual, meaningful interactions with students. These individual interactions will provide teachers with opportunities to assess individual student growth and mastery of grade level
In response to the varied student learning needs, differentiation will be a key component of this classroom. It is “designed to improve access to the general education curriculum by adapting instruction to each student’s diverse learning needs” (Smith, 2007). “Differentiation instruction means changing the pace, level, or kind of instruction you provide in response to individual learners’ needs, styles, or interest” (Heacox, 2012). Because each student comes to this 6th grade classroom with unique needs, differentiation will implemented frequently to ensure that each student receives the rigor needed to master the 6th grade curriculum. It will be relevant to your student and his/her needs. It will provide an appropriate level of challenge. It will be engaging and at times, it will offer choices. Delivery of differentiated instruction will frequently involve centered based learning activities and small group instruction. A list and description of some of the centers will be distributed to parents and is attached as Appendix
Differentiating instruction is a valuable instructional management and delivery tool, which can be used to assist teachers in meeting the needs of the diverse populations of students which they now find in their classrooms. In using these strategies, a teacher may use pre-assessments to determine the learning styles, interests and readiness of the students, prior to the introduction of a lesson or unit. After developing a learner profile, the teacher may then differentiate according to the readiness of the student, by process of delivery, and by the product which the student may produce to
Differentiated instruction in a type of teaching approach in which the teacher makes changes to lesson plans or unit curriculum so that students of all levels achieve the same level of learning. The whole lesson might not have to be changed, usually they just will make changes to the content, process or product of a given lesson.
In the past, I have been somewhat successful with differentiating instruction. I can’t say I have been 100% successful.
Differentiation is the tool used by educators who recognize that all students come to them with different readiness levels and learning styles. It allows us to meet the needs of each individual student while meeting the standards developed by state and national education associations. Additionally, there are many different types of differentiation that can be used in a classroom: teachers can create learning centers, use differentiated assessments, and develop anchor activities, etc. Currently, I utilize differentiated assessments, but my goal for the upcoming school year is to utilize more learning centers and to incorporate anchor activities into my daily classroom routine.
A final way differentiated instruction prepares students from the 21st century workplace is through direct instruction. Whether students go to college or enter the workforce, students will be required to receive information directly from one, or many, people and think critically about it. Whether it is sitting through a lecture in college, or a meeting at work, students will need to have the ability to take in information verbally and apply it to their area of study or expertise. In my classroom, I try to begin a lesson and end a lesson with some form of short discussion or lecture. I believe that it helps to either set up, or bring closure to, the information we are covering. For example, at the beginning a lesson this week I spoke for about fifteen minutes introducing the struggle for equality that African-Americans faced in the early 1900s. This short lecture helped lay the groundwork for the next two days and assisted in giving my students context for the upcoming hybrid stations.
“This book is a beginning. It is meant to do four things: 1) be a catalyst for serious reflection on current grading and assessment practices in differentiated classes; 2) affirm effective grading and assessment practices we’ve already employing; 3) provide language and references for substantive
This standard provides appropriate instruction for each child’s ability level. I understand that every child is unique in his or her own learning styles and development. It is imperative for students’ success that teachers implement developmentally appropriate experiences in the classroom. Therefore, I will provide students with unique and meaning but developmentally appropriate learning experiences and instruction that are challenging enough to foster learning and critical thinking.
She was faced with the challenge of teaching a wide range of learner pathways while striving to maximize the learning for all her students grades first through eighth. While what my grandmother faced over eighty years ago is an obvious exaggeration in differentiation; the reality is that each class room in our schools is a microcosm of that environment. Each student learns through different pathways and it is the role of each teacher to maximize their learning potential by differentiating their instructional practices. Hence, the teachers of my school must strive to connect students and academic content through a responsive instructional practice that is reflective of the needs of their students (Tomlinson, C., Brimijoin, K., & Narvaez, L.,
The title of my lesson is Environmental Barometer. This lesson will take approximately 45-60 minutes of preparation time and a 45-minute session to conduct a field investigation. The lesson is in groups of 3 to 4 students. The materials for the lesson include clipboards, one copy per group of Biotic and Abiotic Features Data Sheet, reference materials (tree, bird, amphibian, insect guides), a selection of instruments to study abiotic features of an ecosystem (anemometer, thermometer, and soil pH tester). The students will compare and contrast abiotic and biotic components inventoried at two outdoor study locations in an effort to explore wildlife as indicators of ecosystem health. The teacher will choose
Differentiated instruction is personalized for students of different levels of achievement, which allows students to choose what kind of teaching they want to use to learn. It lets students grow at their own pace through new material. For a differentiated classroom, teachers use assessments to determine student readiness. Assessments such as pre-tests are effective in determining what a student needs to learn or what level the student is. It lets teachers teach students based off of the common core standards but they do it also based on each child’s learning style and what level of knowledge they are at, at the same
In utilizing differentiated instruction, teachers can prepare materials for student variation in readiness levels, benefits and learning profiles. This is in a classroom where all learners are incorporated and can be effective. In completing this task, a teacher arranges different expectancies of achievement for students when completing assignments daily and is centered on their specific needs. In order to understand the framework in preparation for differentiated instruction, identifying with how our students learn and what they recognize, (pre-assessment and continuing assessment) are important. This offers response for both the educator and the student with the definitive goal of enhancing student learning (Tomlinson, 2011).
They are so many different teaching strategies that are useful and effective but I agree that differentiated instruction is number one! It is very important for educators to have differentiated instructions in the classroom because not every students learns the same way and this will get the students involved. This teaching technique will give the students multiple options to express their learning. While they are expressing their learning, they will be able to uncover deep layers of the concept they are learning. I think when teachers give instruction and certain duties to the classroom, the student feels wanted and gets excited when they have something important to do.
There are red people, blue people, green people, yellow people, big people, short people, and round people. No two people are alike so why do we teach every student the same way? Differentiated learnings allow each student to the best way that works for them as oppose to a one size fits all learning style. Differentiated Instruction is where classroom teachers make multiple attempts to meet the needs of students where they are in the learning process and move them along quickly and as far as possible in the content. It promotes a high level and powerful curriculum for all students but will vary from level of teacher support, task complexity, pacing and based on student readiness, interest (Tomlinson, 2000). Differentiated instruction is not a single strategy, but rather an approach to instruction that incorporates a variety of strategies. It is all about meeting the student where they are at and teaching each student in a way that best fits them with and growing their individual success. The ultimate goal of differentiated learning is to maximize the capacity of each learner by teaching. In this article, we will talk about best way to begin differentiation instruction as a teacher, ongoing assessments, learning styles and, adjusting the content, process, and product, and by using different teaching strategies such as learning centers, flexible grouping, and tiered
This lesson was created and performed for a JROTC Leadership class grade 9-12 and the DELTA Company in particular. The class contains 20 students with a configuration of two ELL Level 4 students and 18 regular students. This lesson was on students identifying the effects biologically and psychologically of drug, alcohol, and substance abuse. It was executed with a vocabulary differentiated instruction plan that involved many activities to activate vocabulary learning strategies. The lesson contained an anticipation guide, shared reading, vocabulary word map, and a vocabulary comprehension activities using technology. The lesson ended with the students creating a persuasive collaborate campaign advocating a drug and alcohol free zone for a school, workplace, or community.