1. {{
DifferentiatingDifferentiating
InstructionInstruction
MTE 533MTE 533
Shanon Cole, Erin Cross, Michael Freeman andShanon Cole, Erin Cross, Michael Freeman and
James LittleJames Little

2.  Using ChoiceBoards or Menus allows students to make
their own decisions about meeting requirements.
 The teacher prepares an organizer, like a folder or
chart, which has different activities for the students to
complete.
 Students choose from the activities as part of a lesson
To create a Choice Board or Menu:
 Identify the goals of the lesson. An assignment that reflects the goals of
the lesson should then be created.
 Create additional options for the students to complete that enrich the
lesson.
 Students will complete an option in order to meet the requirements and
reach the goal ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014)
ChoiceBoards and MenusChoiceBoards and Menus

3. Examples of ChoiceBoardsExamples of ChoiceBoards
 A popular style of
ChoiceBoard is a Think,
Tac, Toe chart in which
a student must complete
three activities in a row.
The activities build on
each other and are of
varying difficulty.
Image from: ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014)

4. Another popular type of ChoiceBoard is known as a Dinner
Menu the Menu is laid out with an appetizer (Warm-Up)
which is generally not differentiated. An appetizer, which
student s must choose one of two options and so on for as
many activities as needed or desired by the teacher.
Image fromImage from (Bowker, 2014)

5.  ChoiceBoards are great for the diverse learners because they can choose
activities that fit their individual needs and can be created for multiple
types of learners in one classroom.. If you need to challenge a student
you can or if you need to reinforce a topic you can do that too ("Dare To
Differentiate", 2014) .
 They motivate and inspire all learners because they had a choice in their
education.
 Motivation comes from frequently experienced success. Activities
designed with student abilities in mind will help students succeed
regularly ("Dare To Differentiate", 2014).
 Allow teacher to work with small groups or individual that need
attention or need some support
Instructional Issues with ChoiceBoards andInstructional Issues with ChoiceBoards and
MenusMenus

6. Learning centers are areas of a classroom set up according toLearning centers are areas of a classroom set up according to
subject, the current class theme or academic level.subject, the current class theme or academic level.
Learning centers provide students the opportunity to learnLearning centers provide students the opportunity to learn
through engagement, collaboration, observation andthrough engagement, collaboration, observation and
experimentation.experimentation.
Current Trend #2:Current Trend #2:
Learning CentersLearning Centers

7. There are many ways in which learning centers can be used inThere are many ways in which learning centers can be used in
math and science classrooms. In math classrooms, learningmath and science classrooms. In math classrooms, learning
centers can be used to help students practice solving problemscenters can be used to help students practice solving problems
and review concepts and ideas discussed with the entire class.and review concepts and ideas discussed with the entire class.
In science classrooms, learning centers can be used to enhanceIn science classrooms, learning centers can be used to enhance
classroom discussions and provide students with opportunitiesclassroom discussions and provide students with opportunities
to conduct experiments and different hands-on activities.to conduct experiments and different hands-on activities.
Current Trend #2:Current Trend #2:
Learning CentersLearning Centers

8. Learning centers are widely used in today’s classrooms.Learning centers are widely used in today’s classrooms.
AdvocatesAdvocates
of learning centers point to the main benefits of using learningof learning centers point to the main benefits of using learning
centers such as:centers such as:
 Students are motivated to participate in fun, challengingStudents are motivated to participate in fun, challenging
activities.activities.
 Students are provided with meaningful learning opportunities.Students are provided with meaningful learning opportunities.
 Students can learn to collaborate with classmates.Students can learn to collaborate with classmates.
 Teachers can work with small groups or individual students.Teachers can work with small groups or individual students.
 Learning centers can help teachers improve classroom and timeLearning centers can help teachers improve classroom and time
management skills.management skills.
Learning Centers:Learning Centers:
Positive AspectsPositive Aspects

9. Despite the growing trend of learning centers, some of the mainDespite the growing trend of learning centers, some of the main
issues and concerns of using learning centers include:issues and concerns of using learning centers include:
 Learning center activities can be time-consuming.Learning center activities can be time-consuming.
 Classroom space can be limited.Classroom space can be limited.
 Learning centers can be noisy and students can have difficultyLearning centers can be noisy and students can have difficulty
concentrating.concentrating.
 Teachers may need special training to learn how to properlyTeachers may need special training to learn how to properly
conduct learning centers.conduct learning centers.
 Learning centers can be expensive for teachers with limitedLearning centers can be expensive for teachers with limited
resources.resources.
Learning Centers:Learning Centers:
Instructional IssuesInstructional Issues

10.  Use of approved educational software is an increasingUse of approved educational software is an increasing
trend due to the following benefits:trend due to the following benefits:
 Instant feedback for assessmentInstant feedback for assessment
 Applicable for grades k5 through 12Applicable for grades k5 through 12
 Provides additional support and practiceProvides additional support and practice
 InteractiveInteractive
 Supplemental engagement for studentsSupplemental engagement for students
 Classrooms and homeClassrooms and home
Current Trend 3:Current Trend 3:
Educational SoftwareEducational Software

11. Educational Software:Educational Software:
Instructional IssuesInstructional Issues
 Rapidly changing technologyRapidly changing technology
 Upkeep, training, and funds forUpkeep, training, and funds for
schoolsschools
 No at home assignments whichNo at home assignments which
require the technology/require the technology/
software at homesoftware at home
 Percentage of students may notPercentage of students may not
be accustomed to newbe accustomed to new
technologytechnology
 Time in classrooms to teachTime in classrooms to teach
students how to use thestudents how to use the
computers and software.computers and software.
 Guiding students toGuiding students to
appropriate resourcesappropriate resources
Image 3:
http://www.franklinschool.org/Internet%20Safety/inapp

12. Educational Software:Educational Software:
Positive AspectsPositive Aspects
 Can be used in both math andCan be used in both math and
sciencescience
 Math:Math:
 Self-pacedSelf-paced
 Leveled learningLeveled learning
 Science:Science:
 ActivitiesActivities
 GamesGames
Image 4:
http://www.headant.com/literacy-math-and-science-activities/science-acti

13.  Effective use of Differentiated instructionEffective use of Differentiated instruction
means catering to the learning style of everymeans catering to the learning style of every
studentstudent
 This means creating multiple assessmentThis means creating multiple assessment
possibilities that allow students to make apossibilities that allow students to make a
choicechoice
 Each option still needs to be graded based on aEach option still needs to be graded based on a
specific criteriaspecific criteria
 The finished product must still show that theThe finished product must still show that the
student has mastered the skill setstudent has mastered the skill set
Current Trend 4: MultipleCurrent Trend 4: Multiple
Student ProductStudent Product
PossibilitiesPossibilities

14.  Not all students achieve at the sameNot all students achieve at the same
educational leveleducational level
 This means that assessment products will beThis means that assessment products will be
varied and uniquevaried and unique
 The educator can sometimes be too involved inThe educator can sometimes be too involved in
the process with some students and notthe process with some students and not
involved enough with othersinvolved enough with others
 Grading these products can be subjective andGrading these products can be subjective and
difficultdifficult
Multiple Product Possibilities:Multiple Product Possibilities:
Instructional IssueInstructional Issue

15. Multiple ProductMultiple Product
PossibilitiesPossibilities
Topic: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, &Topic: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, &
VolcanoesVolcanoes
 Write a report that shows what you have learnedWrite a report that shows what you have learned
 Create a collage that Represents one of the above and label the differentCreate a collage that Represents one of the above and label the different
parts and featuresparts and features
 Draw a map and use different colors to show areas that these forces impact.Draw a map and use different colors to show areas that these forces impact.
 Write and perform a ‘Weather Report’ skit that shows where these eventsWrite and perform a ‘Weather Report’ skit that shows where these events
are happening and what they areare happening and what they are
Any multiple product assessment should be graded with a rubricAny multiple product assessment should be graded with a rubric
that is the same for all students. This rubric needs to be flexiblethat is the same for all students. This rubric needs to be flexible
enough to allow for student creativity and strict enough to ensureenough to allow for student creativity and strict enough to ensure
that students show what they have learned in a manner that isthat students show what they have learned in a manner that is
academically appropriate and acceptable. For example:academically appropriate and acceptable. For example:

16. LessonLesson
PlanPlan
ExampleExample

17. Bowker, A. (2014). classroomcollective. Retrieved from http://classroomcollective.
tumblr.com/post/28909450173/free-spelling-homework-menu-for-differentiated
Dare to Differentiate. (2014). Retrieved from http://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/home
Image #1 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15, 2014 fromImage #1 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15, 2014 from
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.htmlhttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.html
Image #2 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15,Image #2 of Teacher Working with Students. Retrieved on March 15,
2014 from http://www.ber.org/onsite/course.cfm?CR=MUX2014 from http://www.ber.org/onsite/course.cfm?CR=MUX
Image #3 of Children working on computer. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 fromImage #3 of Children working on computer. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 from
http://www.franklinschool.org/Internet%20Safety/inappropriate_sites.htm .http://www.franklinschool.org/Internet%20Safety/inappropriate_sites.htm .
Image #4 of Science and Math programs. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 fromImage 4:Image #4 of Science and Math programs. Retrieved on March 16, 2014 fromImage 4:
http://www.headant.com/literacy-math-and-science-activities/science-activities-teacher-and-http://www.headant.com/literacy-math-and-science-activities/science-activities-teacher-and-
student-tracking/student-tracking/
Learning Centers: Providing a Wide Variety of Learning Activities. (2003). Retrieved fromLearning Centers: Providing a Wide Variety of Learning Activities. (2003). Retrieved from
http://www.uen.org/k-2educator/learning_centers.shtmlhttp://www.uen.org/k-2educator/learning_centers.shtml
Kluver, C. (2012, May 24). Children’s educational technology: The trends. Social Media Montly, (), .Kluver, C. (2012, May 24). Children’s educational technology: The trends. Social Media Montly, (), .
Retrieved from http://digitalmediadiet.com/?p=1540.Retrieved from http://digitalmediadiet.com/?p=1540.
Rongione, D. (2014). Rongione, D. (2014). The Disadvantages of Learning CentersThe Disadvantages of Learning Centers. Retrieved from. Retrieved from
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.htmlhttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.html
Shaffer, P. (2011). Shaffer, P. (2011). Why should you Use learning centers?Why should you Use learning centers?. Retrieved from. Retrieved from
http://mathcenterideas.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-use-centers-in-math.htmlhttp://mathcenterideas.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-use-centers-in-math.html
ReferencesReferences