Differentiating Instruction

Fariza Adliby, Rebecca Harvey, Dana VasconcelosMTE 533

January 27, 2014Elizabeth Hastings

Learning StationsLearning centers are independent centers of the classroom in which students

engage in self-directed learning activitiesPromote independenceHelp students become more responsibleAllows students to learn through self-discoveryProvides teachers with time to target detailed academic skills, adjust and

develop curriculum for individual students

Learning StationsLearning stations can be used for both math and science. Learning stations can make science lessons more hands on.A station for each part of the life span of a butterfly.Can be developed around a math lesson, move to the next station once

the first is complete.Stations developed around individual lessons. Multiplication, Money,

Place Value, Measurement.Organized independent study.Easy for diverse learners to get peer help.

Flexible GroupingAllows teachers to personalize learning activities according to students' needsGrouping can consist of whole group, small group, or individual, or a

combination Gives teacher time to provide additional instruction or extended learning

experiences to particular students or groups("Differentiating Instruction: Current Trends ", 2014).

helps students learn new skills both academically and socially by exposing them to different people with different abilities

Helps students feel more involved, engaged, and confident because lessons are personalized to their learning needs and preferences ("Differentiatinginstructionintheclassroom

", n.d.).

Grouping can be instructive or by abilityStudent led and Teacher led grouping

Flexible Groupingworks good for diverse learners in both math and science classroomsStudents are not singled out Think, Pair, Share- after class instruction, students individually think

of methods to solve the problem, then pair off to share their ideas and strategies

Whole-Class Instruction- used to introduce new lessons and approaches to the entire class

Circle Sharing- students sit in a large circle to answer with their own deduction to an open-ended question

Team TeachingTeam teaching is when two or more instructors work together to share

an equal instructional task/lesson. Teachers can work together through assessments and discussion to

help determine individual student learning levels and learning styles. the main purpose is to assist in making sure students understand all

areas of math and science. can increase student learning.students can have the ease of asking for help from either teacher

Team TeachingCan be used for diverse learners in both math and science classroomshelp to determine the students’ level of understanding and benefits in

instructiondetermine what the student needs to master in order to understand and prosper

in science and mathematics. Teacher always on hand during a lesson as well as after a lessonTeachers may have different key words or phrases that can help in different

ways

Cooperative LearningTeams, each with students of varying levels of ability, and diversity use different learning

activities to increase their understanding of a subject.Team members are responsible for learning what is taught and for helping teammates learn.Activities are carefully structured in a way that students are held accountable for their

contribution, and participation (Parveen,2012). Students are also provided motivations to work as team in teaching others and learning from

others (Parveen,2012).Improve and practice critical thinking skills and teamwork; Encourage positive relations among diverse groups; Implement peer coachingForm environments where educational accomplishments are valued

Cooperative LearningGreat for diverse learners in science and math classesScience classes use cooperative learning to do large projects such as a shoe

box habitat.Group Investigations are structured to stress higher-order thinking skills like

analysis and evaluation.can be an effective way to engage reluctant learners, accommodate students

that may have a learning disability and help advanced learners build communication and cooperation skills

Group problem solving is a way to implement cooperative learning within a math class

Cooperative learning in Mathematics and science classroom

Cooperative learning is especially applicable to children learning mathematics because of children’s natural power to reason mathematically and their curiosity about numbers and size.

Several studies have concluded that relational practices are important for teaching mathematics.

The opportunity for students to discuss, debate, and present their own and hear one another's perspectives is the decisive element in cooperative learning.

cooperative learning strategies do not have a significant effect on

mathematics achievement as compared to the use of more traditional methods (Gilbert, 2008).

Cooperative learning strategies have a positive effect on students’ academic performance in science when compared to traditional methods Parveen,2012).

Instructional issues with using the identified trends for diverse learners

Peer Tutoring and Cooperative Learning-While many cooperative learning training exist, one study found that most teachers who use these methods have been self-taught (Sparapani, Abel, Easton, Edwards, & Herbster, 1997). This resulted in very few activities that involved higher-level thinking skills and most of the observations were of drill and review or routine activities. Positive interactions do not always occur naturally and social skills instruction must come first and be together with provided cooperative learning strategies. Although peer tutoring and cooperative learning have numerous benefits for diverse learners, not all students that are capable of peer tutoring are willing to participate or have the patience to tutor.

Flexible Grouping- Flexible instructional grouping is intended to provide a better instructional match between students and their individual needs. However, if not match properly it can cause critical issues to classroom behavior management and can take away from the classroom's sense of community. Flexible grouping can be a key to differentiated instruction when working with diverse learners when activities are personalized according to students' needs and although flexible grouping may be time consuming, the outcome can be far greater.

Instructional issues with using the identified trends for diverse learners

Learning Centers/Stations- When creating math centers it can be very difficult to make sure that all students understand the concept and the task at each station/learning center, until the teacher circulates the room. Stations may need to be changed frequently as well as grouping. Some students are able to understand the concepts quicker than others. Developing Modified centers for diverse learners can be helpful when planning Centers.

Team Teaching-Team Teaching can be difficult for diverse learners when the co-teachers have different views on learning and teaching. Teachers need to look at team teaching as a chance to widen their practice by incorporating multiple styles to reach all learners.

A lesson plan outline that implements Cooperative Learning

Topic: Science “Parts of a Flower” Lesson Objectives:

1. Students will be able to activate prior knowledge of flowering plants from previous lessons by oral and in written form, express their understanding of the parts of a flowering plant “lily” with the use of a K.W.L chart. “I know, I want to know, what I learned”.

2. Students will be able to illustrate their knowledge and understanding by filling out “Parts of a Flower” task, labeling the parts of the flower.

Learner Factors: This lesson will accommodate the different developmental levels of the learners by using various methods when presenting material to the students. The students will be provided with multiple levels of questioning and discussion in small group settings. The students will also be given the opportunity to apply their prior knowledge while completing a K.W.L chart in a whole group discussion.

Environmental Factors: Cooperative learning will be used during the lesson. The students will share ideas and work together in small groups then return as a whole to complete the K.W.L chart .

Instructional Sequence: Teacher will lead a discussion with students Teacher will record response on the K.W.L chart Teacher will read-aloud the students responses Students then will be ask to break up into their pre-assigned groups to read information from the provided text and

record their groups important details , and complete “parts of a flower” task. For a closure the teacher will have student return to a whole group discussion to complete the K.W.L chart ”what

have we learned”

Assessment: Students will be assessed by observation during the lesson and on completion of the K.W.L chart, “Parts of a flower” task and responses in their science notebook during group work.

ReferencesDifferentiatingInstructionInTheClassroom . (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://differentiatinginstructionintheclassroom.wikispaces.com/Differentiating+Instruction+Trends Differentiating Instruction: Current Trends . (2014). Retrieved from http://

teamccurrenttrends.wikispaces.com/Flexible+GroupingCooperative Learning Structures Can Increase Student Achievement: Jeanie M. Dotson Culminating

Project (Kagan Online Magazine, Winter 2001), http://www.kaganonline.comParveen, Q. (2012). Effect of cooperative learning on achievement of students in general science at

secondary level. International Education Studies, 5(2), 154-158. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1009899672?accountid=35812

Gilbert, C. D. (2008). The effects of cooperative learning and teaming on student achievement in elementary mathematics. (Order No. 3302009, TUI University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 224. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304368412?accountid=35812. (304368412).