Strategies to Differentiate Instruction

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Tiered Assignments

Outcomes:

 Teachers will understand and design a Tiered Assignment.

Time Needed:

 Approximately 1 hour

Instructional Materials Required:
  • Tomlinson, Carol Ann. Differentiating Instruction. 2 Videocassettes. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1997. This item can be ordered from the DCMO BOCES Media Library - Order # MK 0170

  • Handouts

Prerequisite:

 Teachers should have had the basic introduction to Differentiated Instruction. Please call the BOCES to arrange for this training.

Procedures:
  1. Using the handout The Equalizer have teachers examine a few of the skills and/or concepts they teach. Can they located them on the equalizer and adjust them up or down according to students' needs? Can they break down a concept or skill into its component parts?

  2. Handout -- Tiered Activities to Alter the Depth of a Lesson. Review each level of this assignment horizontally. What is happening at each level?

  3. Point out that all students are working toward the same outcome of writing a persuasive essay, but each level challenges students where they are and moves them forward.

  4. Significant Points:
    1. Fair is not equal. Students need different things at different times. If you are up front with them, they will respect your decisions.
    2. Not all boxes need to be different. For example, you can have the same outcomes and assessments, but only differentiate the homework.
    3. Pre-assessment is always a good idea.
    4. A tiered assignment can be started at any point -- basic, intermediate or advanced; and then bumped up or down accordingly.
    5. All work must be respectful and meaningful. No fluff or busy work.
    6. Students do not have a choice. They cannot opt for the easiest assignment. They must face the appropriate challenge.
    7. The planning tool is for you not them.

  5. Teachers can now design their own. Have teachers try out the Tiered Assignment and come back together to discuss success and/or obstacles.

Assessment Plan:
  • Facilitator observations
  • Monitor level of engagement and discussion

Additional Resources:

 You may wish to show a video clip referring to Tiered Assignments (Video #2).This item can be ordered from the DCMO BOCES Media Library - Order # MK 0170.

Tomlinson, Carol Ann. Differentiating Instruction. 2 Videocassettes. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1997.

Evaluation:

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