Differentiation is all about balancing the complexity of a task with the skill of the learner.
All AboutDifferentiation
On Grouping Gifted Students
I am frequently asked about research supporting gifted programs. Is there evidence that putting gifted kids together is a good thing? The short answer: yes.
Why Gifted Kids May Not Be Great Tutors
It’s so easy to assume gifted kids will be the academic leaders in a classroom. Beacons of light for the other kids to follow. Dina Brulles and Susan Winebrenner explain the problem…
The New Differentiator
The Differentiator has been re-written from scratch with more power and flexibility, plus a clean new look. Experiment to create differentiated objectives for students of all levels. Plus, it works great on an iPad now!
Two Key Words To Upgrade Analysis
Some little genius might suggest the environmental impact of creating bricks versus using the easily renewable sticks and straw. Perhaps there is a negative economic effect of using bricks for a house. Now students can evaluate the choice in a whole new light. And all we did was add a couple words to the question.
Constructing A Meaningful Math Project
If you’re attempted to differentiate your math program through preassessment, I’m sure you’ve stumbled across students who have already demonstrated mastery of an upcoming unit. Typically, we try to come up with something deep and meaningful for these students to work on while we instruct the class. This, however, is a tricky problem with no simple solution.
Math Project: Furnish A Hotel
Starting with an IKEA catalog, a hotel furnishing math project was born. Use this project as a tool to differentiate your math instruction and impart some practical knowledge on your students.
Differentiate Math With Complexity and Novelty
Looking for some ways to challenge your advanced mathematicians? If you’d like to keep them on the same topic as the rest of your class, consider increasing the complexity of your current unit. If they’re in need of more advanced curriculum to keep their creativity flowing, try to bring in novel ways of looking at math.
Making Inferences: Think Like An Anthropologist
Like all HM comprehension skills, “Making Inferences” appears yearly beginning in kindergarten, so I know my 6th graders have had practice, and may have mastered, the skill. To differentiate, I turned to Sandra Kaplan’s model of “thinking like a disciplinarian.” Students will be expected to think from the perspective of an expert, making well-informed inferences.
10 Ways To Differentiate Tomorrow
Ten simple ways to alter your classroom for the benefit of gifted learners.