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Differentiated Instruction Study Guide for Use with the Text and other Resources

Introduction:  This Web site serves as a resource for teachers to assist them in differentiating instruction.  Dr. Voss structured the Study Guide below to follow the sequence of chapters in the Differentiated Classroom by Carol Ann Tomlinson.  He added some additional readings and resources that are available from him upon request.  If you like to pursue learning in a fairly sequential manner, you can follow the sequence of the study guide.  If you learn better by picking and choosing, feel free to browse the study guide and use it as you see fit.  It is critical that you keep a response journal as you go, recording new information, jotting down insights when they occur, and generating strategies as they click with your approach to the classroom.  In addition to pursuing this topic independently, you may want to work this with your grade level team during team meetings.  There are certain components below that relate to a collaborative approach.

Response Journal Template.  Click on this link and use this template as a complement to the Study Guide.  You may wish to create a template of your own choice or use another format for your Resource Journal.  If you choose to use this template, save it to your personal folder and use it for the remainder of the study guide. The tables will expand as you type.

Part A: The Theory and Framework for Differentiating Instruction

  1. What is it?
    The Differentiated Classroom: Chapter 1, "What is a Differentiated Classroom?" and Chapter 2, "Elements of Differentiation"
    PowerPoint Presentation on Differentiated Instruction:  Francine Lamonica, RES, August 2003

  2. What are the philosophical assumptions that frame it?
    The Differentiated Classroom: Chapter 3,  "Rethinking How We Do School--and for Whom"
    Resource Packet: Turning Points 2000, Section of Chapter 4, "Three Models for Organizing Instruction," pp. 68-85

  3. How does a differentiated classroom compare to a traditional classroom?
    The Differentiated Classroom, Chapter 4, "Learning Environments that Support Differentiated Instruction" and refer back to page 16,  Figure 2.2, "Comparing Classrooms"

  4. What is your teaching style and how does it influence your approach to differentiated instruction?
    Honoring Diverse Teaching Styles,  Chapter 3, "Experiences of Teaching."

  5. What are the change processes to use in moving toward a differentiated classroom?  How do teachers make it all work and what are the roles of the principal and other school leaders?
    The Differentiated Classroom, Chapters 9, "How Do Teachers Make It All Work?" and Chapter 10, "When Educational Leaders Seek Differentiated Classrooms"

Part B:  Implementing Differentiated Instruction Through Backward Planning

The next set of essential questions are designed to have you create units and/or lessons using the process of backward planning as developed by Wiggens and McTighe in Understanding by Design and the various strategies suggested in the Differentiated Classroom, Chapters 5-8. It is important for you to read these four chapters before proceeding on with the questions below.  You should also examine the handouts in the Resource Packet, entitled, "Backward Planning: Concept and Design" and "Graphic Organizers" taken from the Differentiated Classroom.  These will be helpful to you designing units of instruction and/or lesson plans.  Consider the use of performance tasks differentiated for the students to measure competency with the unit standards and objectives.  You may also use tests and quizzes, but it may be more difficult to differentiate these than the performances.  Please use the ER9 Unit Development Template if it assists you in developing a unit of instruction with differentiated opportunities for students.

Developing Units and Lessons that Differentiate Instruction through Backward Planning

Essential Questions for Units/Lessons:  Click on this link to see the essential questions and the unit/lesson development templates.

  1. What are the desired results of the unit of study or lesson plan?.
    The Differentiated Classroom:  Chapter 5 and p.15
    Resource Packet: Excerpts from Understanding by Design Handbook

  2. What will be the acceptable evidence to show understanding through differentiated performances?
    Resource Packet: Turning Points 2000, pp. 54-62

    Internet Links

    Template - ER9 Rubrics

    • Assessment in Instruction

    • Varied Assessments

    • Specific Rubrics & Assessment Criteria

  3. What are the various learning experiences that can support a student in demonstrating proficiency with the desired results?
    The Differentiated Classroom:  Chapters 7 and  8

    • Flexible Grouping

    • Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles

    • Compacting the Curriculum

    • Tiered Learning Activities

    Resource Packet:  Excerpts from Understanding by Design Handbook

    Differentiated Instruction, Part III: What are the Strategies? by  Francine Lamonica

    Internet Links

  4. What feedback from students and assessment results will you use in reflecting on the success of the unit?