Differentiation in the classroom:

I'm sure you are aware that students are at many different academic levels in the classroom.  And just like us, some students are better at or like one subject more than another.  I try to keep all of these things in mind when planning activities and lessons.

I will group students in academic levels for math and reading so we can work on things in small groups that will challenge that particular group of students.  Students will move around within these groups at different times during the year.  Perhaps a group is working on a phonics skill that 1 child from another group needs to practice.  That child will join the reading group until that skill is mastered then move back to his/her regular reading group.  Sometimes this takes a week, sometimes it takes a few weeks.  It depends on the skill being taught, the child,  and my ability to explain it in a way so the student has that light bulb moment.

In math, there will be different levels of intensity for story problem work and extensions for the games we play.  Some students will write and solve their own story problems while others will solve story problems I've created.  Students are expected to choose the activity that best fits their academic needs.  However, if I notice a student is not challenge him/herself on a regular basis, I will speak to the student and see what I can do to facilitate.

In literacy, again, we will have leveled groups.  Leveled groups simply make it possible to focus on an area of concern for that particular group of students, thus ensuring each student has his/her academic needs met.  At some centers, students can work with a partner and other centers they are expected to work alone.  There will also be various levels on intensity in their word work activities, the books they choose for silent reading, and so on.  Raz Kids is leveled specifically for each child and as he/she is ready to move up to the next level, the program automatically moves the child up.  You can even do Raz Kids at home.  The children will have their own login and password soon.

If students can demonstrate mastery of a particular unit, I will try to have other activities available to challenge them.  This becomes tricky because the activity needs to be challenging for those students but students also need to be able to do these activities without my instruction because I will be providing instruction for the rest of the class.  As I get to know students better, it will become easier for me to have projects/activities that will challenge and interest them.

I hope this helps to explain how differentiation for all students happens in the classroom.  Let me know if you still have questions.