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Emilie Vest
ELED 300
Sharon Guynes
November 29, 2015
Module Four Writing
Differentiation
Why do teachers differentiate? Teachers need to differentiate their
lessons in order to meet the learning needs of all students. There are three
groups targeted through differentiation: students who struggle to succeed in
regular classrooms, students bored with existing classroom menu, and
students who fail to flourish because they need something different.
Effective teachers differentiate to meet the needs of all their students
different learning styles.
Differentiation
Differentiation is how effective teachers meet the learning needs of all
their students, because not all students learn the same way. Teachers are
required to take extra steps to know their students needs and adjust
instruction accordingly. There are three major ways teachers differentiate:
varying content, adapting instructional methods, and designing assessment
procedures that meet needs of all students. The four principles of
differentiation are: proactive, student-centered, assessment-based, and

blending whole-group instruction with group and individual teaching. Being

proactive means teachers incorporate differentiation into their initial
planning, so they are prepared for any learning difficulties or challenges that
surface. Student-centered means the teacher knows their students need and
interests and adjust their instruction accordingly. The third component of
differentiation is assessment, which provides teachers with information about
what students know, can do, and what they require to move to the next level
of learning. Assessment happens throughout the lesson with pre-assessment
before instruction, and continual and ongoing assessment during instruction,
and assessment after the lesson is completed to identify students who need
extra help. The last principle of differentiation is that it needs to be blended
with a mixture of whole-class, small-group, and individual instruction to meet
all the different learning needs of students and maximize the amount of
information students learn.
How Teachers Differentiate
I have had the opportunity to observe a variety of lessons in several
different grade levels. In kindergarten and first grade I did not notice much
differentiation other than through the use of technology. In the upper grade
levels I observed differentiation through grouping, cooperative learning, and
technology. However, I have not yet observed any peer tutoring, but I feel it
would be very beneficial for older, more responsible students. I have heard
teachers ask the students when they are working in a large group to look at
their neighbors paper to check them and keep everyone together.

How I Will Differentiate

My goal would be to use all the different differentiation instruction
methods: grouping, peer tutoring, cooperative learning, and technology.
Since students learn differently, I would need to use different techniques in
order for all students to be able to learn effectively. To be an effective
teacher I will need to know my students and understand their individual
needs so I can adjust my lesson accordingly. My goal would be to discover
the most effective way to teach in order to help my students thrive.