PP Session 7 (differentiation) – 16 March
Video (carol Tomlinson)
1. Differentiation
- Difficulty level, according to readiness, linked to academic growth (needs to be
challenging enough for them to learn)
-  scaffold (apply ZPD Vygotsky theory)
- Interest, linked to motivation
-  develop new interest
2. Principles important to differentiate effectively
- Inclusivity
- Know yourself as a teacher – change strategies to fit students, cannot be
fixed/stubborn (growth mindset)
- Every student can and wants to learn
- Be sensitive
- Know your students – needs
- Patience, understanding, empathy
- Ongoing assessment and adjustments
3. Mrs Kipp’s differentiated math class
- Flexible grouping – upgrade whenever they feel comfortable
- Respectful tasks – not too trivial; purposeful, challenging enough (learning,
relearning, reinforcing – for growth, while respecting their capacity and ability to
learn)
- Technology integration – stop, rewind, play whenever they need so teacher
spends more time with groups that need more practice
- Positive learning environment – build confidence, celebrate small improvements
- Ongoing assessment – need to be able to self-assess where they are at (fist of 5,
exit cards to see who needs more help)
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