Differentiated Instruction
Choice Boards
 Are often referred to as
 Tic-Tac-Toe Boards
 Extension Boards
 Thinking Boards
 Provide an entry point for
DI in Core Instruction
Instruction can be differentiated for individual
profiles, interests, and readiness by adjusting:
 Content – what students will learn and the materials
that represent that learning
 Process – methods students use to make sense of the
content
 Product – how students will demonstrate what they
know, understand or are able to do
 Learning Environment – the culture and
surroundings in which students learn best
Choice Boards
 List of activities selected by the teacher
 Often resemble a tic-tac-toe board
 Aligned to the learning goals
 Developed to meet specific needs of the learner
 Allows student to show evidence of learning
 Provide structured activities to :
 Gain confidence with the learning target/skill
 Practice the learning target/skill,
 Extend the learning
 Provide evidence of learning
Instructional Advantages
 Designed to meet the needs of individuals and
small groups
 Teach, reinforce, practice or enhance learning
 Give students choice of learning tasks
 Give students choices to show what they know
 Enhance the learners ownership in their learning
Teachers Role
 Identify the purpose of the Choice Board
 Teach, practice, enhance, extend
 Determine suitable activities based on learner needs
 Create meaningful activities aligned to learning goals
 Visit and talk with student groups and/or individuals
to become informed about progress
 Based the choices on topics or higher order thinking
skills
Tips for designing
 Does the activity address a learning need?
 Is the activity directly aligned to a learning goal?
 Remove any activities that are “busy work”
 Activities are for students to learn, practice or extend
the learning.
 Plan activities in 20-30 minute chunks.
 Are all materials readily available?
 Can the activity be completed with little or no adult
help?
What do you notice in the design of this and
the following choice boards?
Next Steps
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Explore some of the examples on the web page
Select a student learning expectation
List the scaffolded skills needed to master the SLE
Create a choice Board for your class.
 FYI: Choice boards can made with pictures instead of
words