Purpose

Chapter 3 presents the underlying assumptions that promote differentiated instruction as an instructional approach.  The discussion and reflective assignments that are part of this section are designed to have you confront your assumptions about differentiated instruction that you brought with you to this experience.

Sessions: Two

Activity

Strategy for Discussion:  the participants will use a Text-based Seminar Protocol to read Chapter 3 following the process described below.  The key aspects of this activity are the resulting discussion and individual response in the journal using the questions below as a guide to the discussion and the reflection.

Prior to the team meeting read Chapter 3 and mark those sentences or passages that you agree with (underline), take serious issue with (parentheses), or that you have no opinion about (*), but strike you as interesting for further discussion.  In the group session, the facilitator will give you an opportunity to identify the phrases you have marked.  The group will then discuss those issues most important to the group.  This activity can be done in one 45 minute session.  Following the discussion on Chapter 3, record your reactions in your Response Journal using the following questions as a guide.

•  What makes sense to you from the discussion?

•  On what issues are you thinking differently about as a result of the discussion?

•  How might these changes of viewpoint impact your approach to your students in the classroom?

Homework Assignment

Read and Reflect:  Read pp. 68-85 in Turning Points found in your Resource Packet and answer the following questions in an essay response recorded in your journal. You will spend the next 45 minute session discussing your reflections.

•  Do these three organizational structures make sense to you? 

•  Where does differentiated instruction fit into the mix?

•  Where are you on the spectrum of agreeing with this approach to the classroom?

Materials

•  Text, Chapter 3

•  Resource Packet, pp 68-85 in Turning Points

•  Resource Journal

Outcomes

•  Participation in the discussion

•  Responses in Journal