Differentiated Instruction

List some advantages of Curriculum Compacting

* More time effective * Increased student motivation * Learning contracts help students become more aware of work expectations * Allows teacher to focus more on student needs

What are the main goals of interest-based instruction

1) Helps students realize there is a match between school and their own desire to learn. 2) Demonstrates a connection between all learning. 3) Uses skills or ideas familiar to students to bridge ideas or skill less familiar. 4) Enhances student motivation to learn.

What are the 6 steps in implementing Curriculum Compacting?

1) Identify learner outcomes for the unit 2) Pretest students 3) Use pretest data to develop student work contracts 4) Develop extension activities for students who have attained mastery 5) Plan mini lessons for students who have not reached mastery 6) Keep records and documentation

What are the three steps to Curriculum Compacting

1) Identifying objectives 2) Pre-test students for mastery of the objectives 3) Eliminate needless teaching if mastery can be documented

What are the four main characteristics that are commonly used to make up a student's Learning-Profile?

1) Learning Style 2) Intelligence Preference 3) Gender 4) Culture

List a few ideas in executing Interest-Based Differentiation.

1) Link interest-based exploration with key components of the curriculum. 2) Provide structure likely to lead to student success. 3) Develop efficient ways of sharing interest-based findings. 4) Create an open-invitation for student interests. 5) Keep an open eye and or mind for the student with a serious passion.

What are three student characteristics that can be addressed through differentiation?

1) Readiness levels 2) Interests and learning styles 3) Learning profiles

Why is it important for teachers to keep good records?

1) This holds teachers accountable for student learning 2) Ensures parents understand the process and its advantages 3) Students develop an awareness for their specific learning profile

What is the definition of a learning contract, and why might one be used?

A learning contract is a negotiated agreement between the teacher and a student, giving a student some freedom in acquiring skills and understandings that a teacher deems important at a given time. They are used as a reminder, or checklist, for students when working on long-term projects and to provide student choice regarding some of what is to be learned, working condition, and how information will be applied or expressed.

Define and give at least three examples of what Differentiation is:

A way of thinking and planning instruction in which the teacher uses: 1) A variety of ways for students to explore the curriculum 2) A variety of processing activities (various ways to understand the content) 3) A variety of options for students to demonstrate their learning.

What are some of the common strategies that support Learning-Profile differentiation?

Complex Instruction, Entry Points, 4-MAT, Varied approaches to organizing ideas.

What is the main purpose to using an equalizer strategy?

Counter-balance a lesson, making sure all students get equal opportunity in learning a lesson.

True or False: It is helpful for advance learners to continue to learn what they already know?

False

True or False: Teachers should create differentiated instruction to focus on only one key component to curriculum at a time?

False. Teachers can differentiate any or all three key components; including content, process, and product.

What is the key purpose of curriculum compacting?

It helps students learn what they need to know, and do what they do not know how.

In response to Interest-Based, what are some common instructional strategies?

Jigsaw, literature circles, orbitals, independent study, exploratory studies

What is required in order for readiness to be successful in the classroom?

Prerequisites

In response to student readiness, what are some common instructional strategies?

Scaffolding or Tiered, Small group instruction, Mentorship, Compacting

Give at least three examples of what DIFFERENTIATION is not:

Something done on top of what the teacher normally does in the classroom: 1) Grading some students harder than others. 2) Providing the same work for all students, varying the level of difficulty. 3) Assigning extra work to advanced students.