Danielle+Differentiation+Instruction+Resources

** Introduction ** Differentiated Instruction or DI is the practice of providing multiple approaches to taking in and processing information, as well as expressing understanding, in order to accommodate diversity in the classroom. In a typical classroom, student profiles, readiness, and interests will vary greatly. The DI framework encourages modification and emphasizes student accountability, while promoting a challenging learning environment. Differentiated instruction can be supported through the use of technology. In fact, DI and technology encourage 21st-century learning (Smith & Throne, 2007). ** Interests- “Differentiating by interests means crafting activities that permit students to explore their own interests and develop new ones (Smith, et al., 2007, p. 18). **   //__ Webquests __// URL: http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/webquests.htm Title of resource: Technology Integration: Webquest Summary: This is a teacher resource that can be used to plan and develop webquests for students. There are a collection of links that lead to concepts in all academic subjects. Once a specific link is picked, there are further supports for teachers to guide the webquest process. Some links provide already planned and developed webquests for students by specific subjects or concepts. Description of way resource can be implemented in classroom: I examined the “Literature Based Webquests” and found a variety of websites based on children’s literature and relating themes. For example, each year my students do an author study on Roald Dahl. Within this site there is a connecting website that provides a webquest for the story, __Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.__ Description of how resource is supported by the concepts of DI: Webquests offer students the opportunity to study something that interests specifically them. Although Roald Dahl is a unit of study in the curriculum, a webquest allows my students to focus on the author or related themes also. ** Readiness- “Differentiating by readiness means tuning into your student’s varying degrees of ability in order to create activities that match their skills and levels of understanding” (Smith, et al., 2007, p. 50).There are four essential tools or strategies: tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, graphic organizers, and technology. **   //__ Graphic Organizers __// URL: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphic-organizers/printable/6293.html Title of resource: Teacher Vision: Graphic Organizers Summary: This teacher resource includes common graphic organizers presented by grade level, subjects, and by concepts. Such organizers include KWL charts, concept maps, and place value charts. Graphic organizers cannot be opened into a Word document, and must be printed to be used. However, the vast selection makes this site a must save. Description of 2 ways resource can be implemented in classroom: I previewed the Word Web and can use this graphic organizer multiple ways in my classroom. In Language Arts, the Word Web can be utilized to complete a word study by finding and charting synonyms, antonyms, and word origins for a word of study. In social studies and science, however, the Word Web can be used to demonstrate understanding by asking students to chart events or concepts around a focus word. Description of how resource is supported by the concepts of DI: Graphic organizers scaffold student learning by providing visual supports to students who otherwise have trouble organizing information presented. ** Learning Profile- “Students’ learning profiles, shaped by many factors, suggest their preferred learning styles or ‘customary’ method of learning” (Smith, et al., 2007, p. 67). Learning profiles include four components: intelligence preferences, learning style preferences, gender-based preferences, and culture-influenced preferences. **   //__ Intelligence Preferences __// URL: [] Title of resource: Accelerated learning: What is My Personal Learning Style? Summary: This is an interactive site for students to use so that they can discover the areas of intelligence in which they are stronger and areas of intelligence in which they are weaker. Description of way resource can be implemented in classroom: I would implement this site into the beginning of the year initial testing for my students. First, I believe this site will encourage and motivate students considering they cannot fail this test, and rather it shows specifically their strengths. It will also serve as a resource to me in learning about my students intelligences so that I can develop lessons building around their strengths so that they can be successful. Description of how resource is supported by the concepts of DI: DI is about developing lessons that provide multiple paths to retrieving and processing information, as well as demonstrating understanding. By discovering your students’ strengths and interests, teachers can create lessons that build upon this.
 * // Differentiating Instruction in Your Classroom //**

Danielle,

My favorite resource you provided use with is accelerated learning site. At the beginning of the year my fellow teachers and I always ask our students what style of learner they are. Then of course we have to explain the diffferent learning styles. However we can use this site instead to help the students learn their style and be more accurate in actually placing their style. Thanks!

Luke

Danielle, I really appreciate the graphic organizer page from teacher vision. I can see myself using this to connect big picture concepts and tying in different units in my elementary general music classes. I will be sure to save that website. Thanks again, Dustin

Danielle, I also appreciated your website on graphic organizers. Our school is really big on using graphic organizers to help students organize their thoughts and express their ideas on a specific topic. I am always looking for different types of graphic organizers to use with my students during reading and math workshop so that they will not get bored with using the same ones over and over again. Thanks so much for providing us with this useful resource. -Jewel Johnson