When a teacher tries to teach something to the entire class at the same time, "chances are, one-third of the kids already know it; one-third will get it; and the remaining third won't.  So two-thirds of the chidren are wasting their time."  --Scott Willis, ASCD

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What is Differentiated Instruction?

Adjusting the curriculum, teaching strategies, and classroom environment to better meet the needs of all students.  In a differentiated classroom:

• Student differences shape the curriculum
• Pre-assessment is typical and frequent
• Multiple options for students are offered
• There is variable pacing
• Varied grading criteria are used
• Individual efforts and growth is honored

from How to Differentiate Mixed-Ability Classrooms by Carol-Ann Tomlinson

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How do I differentiate?

Differentiate According to Student Readiness

Differentiate According to Student Interest 

Differentiate According to Student Learning Profiles____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do I differentiate?

Differentiate Content:  The "what" of teaching.  The curricular topics, concepts, or themes presented to students.  Content is differentiated by concentrating on the most essential understandings, concepts, and skills then varying the complexity of learning.

Differentiate Process:  The "how" of teaching.  The ways in which students make sense of the content.  Process is differentiated by adding greater complexity or abstractness to tasks, by engaging students in critical and creative thinking, and by increasing the variety of ways in which you ask them to learn.

Differentiate Products:  The end results of learning.  Products are differentiated when you plan units that reflect many ways to represent learning and when you provide menus of projects for students to choose from.

Go to the Strategies page to learn more.

From Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom by Diana Heacox

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How can I learn more?

Free Online Differentiated Instruction Course

Differentiated Instruction PowerPoint

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The Bullitt Central community dedicates itself to providing quality instruction which assures that all students succeed at a high level, according to state and national standards, in an atmosphere of PRIDE.

Bullitt Central High School

Highway 44 East

Shepherdsville, KY 40165

(502) 543-7021

Please send questions or comments concerning this wiki to Mrs. Angela Cunningham.