Differentiated+Instruction

 ** Key Principles of a Differentiated Classroom ** ** Differentiation ** is a teaching concept in which the classroom teacher plans for the diverse needs of students. The teacher must consider such differences as the students':
 *  learning styles, skill levels, and rates
 *  language proficiency
 *  background experiences and knowledge
 *  motivation
 *  ability to attend
 *  social and emotional development
 *  levels of abstraction
 *  physical needs


 * 1)  The teacher is clear about what matters in the content area.
 * 2)  The teacher understands, appreciates, and builds upon student differences.
 * 3)  Assessment and instruction are inseparable.
 * 4)  The teacher adjusts content, process, and product in response to student readiness, interests, and learning profiles.
 * 5)  All students participate in respectful work.
 * 6)  Students and teachers are collaborators in learning.
 * 7)  Goals are maximum growth and continued success.
 * 8) <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> Flexibility is the hallmark of a differentiated classroom.

In a differentiated program: A differentiated program is not:
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> differences are studied as a basis of planning.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> student differences shape curriculum.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> preassessment is typical.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> multiple learning materials are available.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> multiple options for students are offered.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> students make sense of information.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> emphasis on concepts and connections is made.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> there is variable pacing.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> students aid in setting goals and standards.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> varied grading criteria are used.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> excellence as an individual effort is honored.
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> "individualized instruction"*
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> "chaotic"*
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> "another way of providing homogeneous grouping"*
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> "tailoring the same suit of clothes"*
 * <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"> more tasks and assignments but different ways of providing learning experiences

From How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms by Carol Ann Tomlinson