I teach in a very small and poor rural school district in New York State. 

Differentiated Instruction has been the topic of many of our workshops over the last couple of years.

I think it is very hard to describe how one should begin.  I went to an amazing workshop by Kathy Nunley about three years ago and it really helped me

discover the meaning and reasoning behind differentiating our teaching.

If you get a chance I highly recommend you visit her web page at www.help4teachers.com.

She has also posted sample curriculum lessons on all subject areas and content.

Another big person our district has been buying into is Harvey Silvers and his Thoughtful Classroom Strategies.

Check these out.

Nancy Peer

Friendship Central School

Friendship, NY

Our system has also begun to incorporate D.I.

Each class has built a library for enrichment reading for each subject.  I try to incorporate the internet, allowing my students computer access whenever possible.  Using the Kagan structures, we encourage those strongest in one area to assist or tutor struggling students.  The one teaching learns even more than the student who needed assistance. 

I hope more teachers share their methods.

Hi Kristin

Sorry but I left my last message as I was rushing out.  No I did not obtain access to your file, and can now see my screen dump showing my attempt, is unreadable here.

All it offered me was the opportunity to subscribe to that drop.io organisation.  As I did not wish too do so, I do not know that if I had, I could have accessed your file on it.

Sorry not to have been of more help.

Regards

John F

Sorry No see attached

Hi John,

The file is a PDF and is not accepted so I created a drop site online. 

http://drop.io/kbaker4epals

You should be able to view it there.  If this works, please let me know!  Thanks.

 - Kristin

Hi Kristin

Saw your question. Only just discovered how myself.

Click on Reply button.

Select Opions button.

Self explainatory then.

But there are file size limits

Hope this helps

Regards

John F

Hi Michael,

I developed a three-level grouping routine for mathematics, which has been used successfully in grades 3-6 at my elementary school.  I have a single-page word file with an overview, but can't see how to attach here.  Email me and I'll send it to you.

kristinbaker@epals.com

Kristin Baker

Mansfield Twp Elementary

Port Murray, NJ

Our school is starting to do more D.I.  What ideas do you have for enrichment?  Ideas for when they have completed the assignment and need something to do?

 I incorporate differentiated instruction in my small reading groups and math groups.

We use Homework Menus.  The students have a choice of different homework assignments.  The assignments range from writing papers, creating review games, to writing rap songs about whatever topic we are studying.  The assignments also have different point values.  They have to do enough to add up to 100 points.  They can do more to get extra credit points but I put a cap on how much extra credit they can do. 

In the classroom I also give them several versions of the test.  I teach science so I give them a written test and a performance based lab test.  I try to diversify the questions on the written test and have multiple choice, short answer and a diagram.  That way if they don't pass the written test but they can do and explain the lab then I can gauge if they actually understand the content.

Tabitha Pruitt

How do you incorporate differentiated instruction into your classroom and lesson plans?

Thank you for your respones,

Michael Larko