Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching and learning for students with different abilities
in the same classroom. The theory behind differentiated instruction is that teachers should vary and
adapt their approaches to fit the vast diversity of students in the classroom. (Tomlinson, 1995, 1999a;
Hall, 2002)
Content
What students learn
Process
How students learn
Product
How students show
learning
Environment
Where students learn
Ongoing assessment
is used to adjust
content, building on
student strengths,
and addressing areas
of growth
Various instructional
tools and strategies
are used to help
students reach
learning goals.
Students have
opportunities to
show learning in a
variety of ways.
Classroom
environment
arranged to support
student learning.
Switch it up!