
According to Tomlinson, teachers can differentiate instruction through four ways: 1) content, 2) process, 3) product, and 4) learning environment. 1. Content As you already know, fundamental lesson content should cover the standards of learning set by the school district or state educational standards.
- Offer students options to choose from in assignments or lesson plans.
- Provide multiple texts and types of learning materials.
- Utilize a variety of personalized learning methods and student assessments.
- Customize teaching to suit multiple forms of intelligence.
What do teachers need to know about differentiated instruction?
- Response to Intervention (RTI) Generally implemented as a whole school implementation strategy, RTI is a highly effective differentiation strategy.
- Explicit Teaching (HITS #3) Explicit Teaching is one of the 10 HITS and it focuses on providing students with a sound and common understanding of the new knowledge and ideas, ...
- Multiple activities. ...
What is differentiated instruction and why differentiate?
What are the elements of differentiated instruction?
- Differentiated instruction is based on modification of four elements: content, process,
- product, and affect/learning environment. This modification is guided by the.
- teacher‟s understanding of student needs—the students‟ readiness, interests, and.
- learning profile.
Why should teachers differentiate instruction?
Differentiated instruction allows us to give students the support they need instead of lumping them together in one big group. Smaller groups make it easier to see who has mastered the lesson goals and has acquired the skills to move on. Larger class sizes make it more difficult to zero in on individual student needs.
What are examples of differentiated instruction?
The elements of differentiated instruction are as follows:
- Content (the materials can be varied to meet student needs)
- Process (the ways in which students learn can be different)
- Product (the manner in which students demonstrate mastery of a skill can be different)

How do you use differentiated instruction in the classroom?
Teachers who practice differentiation in the classroom may:Design lessons based on students' learning styles.Group students by shared interest, topic, or ability for assignments.Assess students' learning using formative assessment.Manage the classroom to create a safe and supportive environment.More items...•
What are 5 ways to differentiate instruction?
Here are five ways you can differentiate instruction in your classroom.Include Every Learning Style. ... Offer Assignment Options. ... Establish Learning Stations. ... Plan Tiered Lessons. ... Organize Students in Groups.
What are 3 characteristics of a classroom that uses a differentiated approach to learning?
three characteristics: readiness, interest, and learning profile.
How do teachers prepare their students and their classrooms for differentiated instruction?
How Do Teachers Prepare Their Students and Their Classrooms For Differentiated Instruction?Use a room arrangement consistent with the teacher's instructional goals, activities, and objectives.Keep high-traffic areas free of congestion.Make sure the teacher can easily see the students.More items...
Why is it important to use differentiated instruction in the classroom?
It Allows Students to Learn in Their Own Ways, at Their Own Pace. By differentiating your classroom, you tailor each student's experience to ensure they learn in the best way they can. This is undoubtedly the most important reason CTE teachers incorporate differentiated instruction in the classroom.
What are examples of differentiated instruction?
Examples of Differentiated InstructionProviding students with different fiction books to critique depending on their interests.Letting each student choose their own time in history to explore in order to meet the same history outcome in the curriculum.More items...•
What is differentiated learning approach?
Differentiated instruction is the practice of developing an understanding of how each student learns best, and then tailoring instruction to meet students' individual needs.
How is a differentiated approach to teaching and learning applied in physical education?
While adapted physical education has the focus of adapting or modifying the curriculum, activities, or environment to meet the needs of students with disabilities, differentiated instruction has the focus of modifying the content, learning activities, outcomes, and environment to meet the needs of all diverse learners.
What are the three ways to differentiate instruction?
The Top 3 Ways Teachers Differentiate Instruction#1: Individual or small group instruction. ... #2: Using activities or lessons at varying levels of difficulty. ... #3: Scaffolding lessons and activities.
What are the three ways to differentiate instruction?
The Top 3 Ways Teachers Differentiate Instruction#1: Individual or small group instruction. ... #2: Using activities or lessons at varying levels of difficulty. ... #3: Scaffolding lessons and activities.
Which steps are used in differentiating instruction?
6 steps to differentiated instructionDifferentiation by task. Far from the three-worksheet option that I mentioned, I try to make my tasks more open-ended. ... Differentiation through group work. ... Differentiation by outcome. ... Differentiation by resources. ... Targeted teaching. ... Assessment and feedback.
What is differentiation in instruction?
Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction.
What are differentiation strategies for teaching?
Differentiated teaching occurs when a teacher plans a lesson that adjusts either the content being discussed, the process used to learn or the product expected from students to ensure that learners at different starting points can receive the instruction they need to grow and succeed.
What is Differentiated Instruction?
The purpose of this article is to look at differentiated instruction strategies to use in the classroom. Teachers who use only traditional classroom instruction and materials might discover that they are leaving some of their students behind. The strategies that work in education have changed over time. In order for our students to succeed, they need differentiated instruction to meet multiple learning needs.
How does differentiated instruction help students?
Differentiated instruction enhances learning for all students by meeting them “where they are” in their journey of education. The goals for differentiated instruction are: Address the needs of all students.
Why do we need to increase emphasis on differentiated instruction?
Across the United States, we need to increase emphasis on differentiated instruction in order to improve student achievement. Therefore, teachers need to address every student’s needs.
How to differentiate in a classroom?
There are four ways to differentiate: 1 Content: Students can do independent projects based on their strength and interest. 2 Product: The teacher can give students different assignments and performance tasks. In this situation, students need to be assessed with the same learning expectations. 3 Process: In this case, the teacher gives students unique opportunities to learn simultaneously. 4 Environment: This situation involves accommodating individual learning styles. When we look at differentiated instruction, the student interacts with his/her environment and as a result they gain an understanding of the skills and content. The teacher is just a facilitator.
How to teach envelope strategy?
Envelope Strategy: Read a text to the students. As you read the text, point out the vocabulary the students may not be familiar with. Let the students make predictions. Give an opportunity to the students to practice reading the text. Give out an envelope to each student with questions according to their ability. Let the students answer the questions and share with the class. Let the students explain their answers . The teacher clarifies any misconceptions
How to get students to think and respond to a story?
This strategy will get all students to think and respond to a story. You open up the lesson with reading and discussing a story. Then, you assign each student with a section of the story. Let the student add on to the assigned section according to their level.
What is small group instruction?
Small Group Instruction: In small groups you give students specific, concrete, sequential and observable directions. You must express your expectations. Give students actionable tasks. Make sure your steps are simple and clear for students to follow. You can give students tasks or activities according to their level. In small groups students will have an opportunity to grow socially and academically within the context of the classroom.
What is differentiated instruction?
The differentiated instruction definition refers to an approach to education whereby teachers make changes to the curriculum and the way they teach to maximize the learning of every student in the class (IRIS Center, 2021). Unlike what some may think, this is not a singular strategy but a framework that educators can utilize.
Differentiated Instruction Strategies
As mentioned earlier, differentiated instruction is an approach rather than one strategy. As such, teachers can execute several differentiated instruction strategies that work in their particular settings rather than sticking to one.
Differentiated Instruction in the Classroom
Applying differentiated instruction strategies can be a challenge for educators, especially for those who have to deal with classes that have 20 students or more. Still, there are many ways to go about it despite certain limitations.
Differentiated Instruction for Gifted Students
Differentiated instruction was devised to ensure that every student in a grade level is able to make progress in their learning. This is to ensure that those who struggle can keep up and those who do not remain challenged and engaged in classes.
Differentiated Instruction Assessment
Differentiated instruction assessment is distinctive from regular evaluation. In normal classroom settings, the teacher would have a product (quiz, project, or similar) to determine the depth of understanding of students of the unit discussed.
The Challenge of Differentiating
Differentiating can be a challenge to educators. It takes more time and effort to prepare to differentiate instruction for even a small group of students. And not all educators are equipped with the knowledge of strategies to apply the differentiated approach in their classes.
Why is differentiated instruction important?
Differentiated instruction enables teachers to accommodate the various learning needs of a group and provide individualized instruction.
Why do teachers give students choice in differentiated classrooms?
This helps to motivate students and appeal to their interests.
Why do teachers use rubrics?
Because modern classrooms include students with diverse learning needs and skill levels, different benchmarks are required . According to TeachingChannel, teachers can identify which rubric elements certain students should focus on, then divide them into groups to work on those areas together.
What is differentiated instruction at King University?
Differentiated instruction, while an important tactic for student success, requires some education and expertise to do well.
Why do teachers create folders with graphic organizers?
Another helpful strategy, shared by Edutopia, is to create folders with graphic organizers, visual aids and sentence starters so that teachers can easily tailor the learning experience to students. This is also a good diagnostic tactic, as teachers will be able to see whether the student completes a modified assignment with ease or continues to struggle.
What is a tiered assignment?
Teachers can also utilize tiered assignments, which are tasks that relate to each other but vary in difficulty. Depending on the skill level and readiness of students, they learn the same material as the rest of the class in a more accessible way. This could involve shorter texts, more group discussion or incorporating drawing versus writing. Tiered assignments can be designed for individuals or small groups.
What is a learning center?
They are stations that contain mini lessons or activities designed to be flexible and address the needs of diverse learners. Teachers can create learning centers at various skill levels and complexity, presenting the same information in a variety of different ways. Students engage with the material in a way that aligns with their proficiency.
How many differentiated instruction strategies can you use in a classroom?
To help create lessons that engage and resonate with a diverse classroom, below are 20 differentiated instruction strategies and examples. Available in a condensed and printable list for your desk, you can use 16 in most classes and the last four for math lessons. Try the ones that best apply to you, depending on factors such as student age.
Who recommends analyzing your differentiated instruction strategies?
Even if you’re confident in your overall approach, Carol Ann Tomlinson — one of the most reputable topic thought-leaders — recommends analyzing your differentiated instruction strategies:
What senses should a lesson focus on?
A lesson should resonate with more students if it targets visual, tactile, auditory and kinesthetic senses, instead of only one.
Why is it important to organize students into literature circles?
Organizing students into literature circles not only encourages students to shape and inform each other’s understanding of readings, but helps auditory and participatory learners retain more information.
How to provide different types of content?
Provide different types of content by setting up learning stations — divided sections of your classroom through which groups of students rotate. You can facilitate this with a flexible seating plan. Each station should use a unique method of teaching a skill or concept related to your lesson.
What are the media and methods teachers use to impart and instruct skills, ideas and information?
This can involve adjusting: Content — The media and methods teachers use to impart and instruct skills, ideas and information. Processes — The exercises and practices students perform to better understand content. Products — The materials, such as tests and projects, students complete to demonstrate understanding.
Why is it important to ask questions about learning styles?
Asking questions about learning and studying styles can help you pinpoint the kinds of content that will meet your class’s needs.
Differentiated Instruction: a Definition
According to Carol Ann Tomlinson, “a teacher who differentiates instruction proactively plans and carries out varied approaches to content, process, and product in anticipation of and response to student differences in readiness, interest, and learning needs”.
Why Use Differentiated Instruction
We use differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of our students. There are several reasons differentiated instruction is used in a classroom setting:
Examples of Differentiated Instruction
Instruction can be differentiated through content, process, and product.
How to Plan Your Lessons
Differentiation doesn’t have to be hard, but it also doesn’t happen magically. Teachers need to have a fair number of differentiation strategies in their back pocket, so they can pull them out when the occasions arise.
Supporting All Learners
Diversity has become a defining feature of modern classrooms. Students come to
13 Differentiated Instruction Strategies
Create learning stations. Provide different types of content by setting up learning stations. For example, students can rotate between stations; that involves watching a video, creating artwork, and completing puzzles.
Differentiating Instruction Is Not as Hard as You Think
To some educators, differentiating instruction conjures visions of having to create a different lesson for every student in the room and long nights of planning and grading.
How many different ways to differentiate instruction?
This means you have at least 13 ways to differentiate instruction at all times. In this piece, we will discuss 13 of them.
What is direct approach in teaching?
Direct Approach: A method of teaching thinking skills in which the skill is presented and then examples of its use are given.
What is deductive teaching?
Deductive Teaching: A didactic style of instruction in which a teacher presents a generality or rule with the expectation that students will apply it to specific scenarios. Didactic Teaching: A style of teaching in which a teacher transmits content to students with the expectation that they will simply learn it.
What is the teaching style that provides students with an environment that encourages them to find general patterns for themselves?
Discovery Teaching: A teaching style which provides students with an environment that encourages them to find general patterns for themselves. It is also called inductive teaching.
What is analytical teaching?
Analytic Teaching: A method of monitoring and evaluating students’ literacy progress that recognizes, respects, and appreciates the students’ abilities.
What is activity based approach?
Activity-Based Approach: An approach to instruction that makes teachable moments out of naturally occurring, everyday activities.

What Is Differentiated Instruction?
- The differentiated instruction definition refers to an approach to education whereby teachers make changes to the curriculum and the way they teach to maximize the learning of every student in the class (IRIS Center, 2021). Unlike what some may think, this is not a singular strategy but a framework that educators can utilize. Carol Ann Tomlinson al...
Differentiated Instruction Strategies
- As mentioned earlier, differentiated instruction is an approach rather than one strategy. As such, teachers can execute several differentiated instruction strategies that work in their particular settings rather than sticking to one. One of the most effective ones that can work in any setting is by working with small groups of students. With proximity, the teacher can work closely with indiv…
Differentiated Instruction in The Classroom
- Applying differentiated instruction strategies can be a challenge for educators, especially for those who have to deal with classes that have 20 students or more. Still, there are many ways to go about it despite certain limitations. Weselby (2014) suggests that to apply differentiated instruction in the classroom, educators can design activities according to the content of the less…
Differentiated Instruction For Gifted Students
- Differentiated instruction was devised to ensure that every student in a grade level is able to make progress in their learning. This is to ensure that those who struggle can keep up and those who do not remain challenged and engaged in classes. The latter is especially true for gifted and talented students. Even if they are in a regular class, they need to have a more demanding curriculum to …
Differentiated Instruction Assessment
- Differentiated instruction assessment is distinctive from regular evaluation. In normal classroom settings, the teacher would have a product (quiz, project, or similar) to determine the depth of understanding of students of the unit discussed. Watson (2020) discussed that “The choice is key to the process.” Therefore, students are given options on how they will demonstrate understandi…
The Challenge of Differentiating
- Differentiating can be a challenge to educators. It takes more time and effort to prepare to differentiate instruction for even a small group of students. And not all educators are equipped with the knowledge of strategies to apply the differentiated approach in their classes. Because of that, there are teachers who fall back on regular instruction. But while it may be difficult, it does …