How can you grow and reflect in differentiated instruction?

1 Know your students

The first step to differentiate your instruction is to know your students well. This means understanding their strengths, weaknesses, interests, backgrounds, learning styles, readiness levels, and preferences. You can use various methods to gather this information, such as surveys, interviews, observations, assessments, portfolios, and feedback. By knowing your students, you can design learning experiences that match their needs and motivate them to learn.

2 Plan with flexibility

The second step to differentiate your instruction is to plan with flexibility. This means being open to making adjustments and modifications to your curriculum, instruction, and assessment based on your students' data and feedback. You can use different models and frameworks to guide your planning, such as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), the Multiple Intelligences Theory, or the Tiered Approach. You can also use different strategies to differentiate your instruction, such as grouping, choice, scaffolding, extension, and enrichment. By planning with flexibility, you can provide multiple options and opportunities for your students to learn.

3 Implement with intention

The third step to differentiate your instruction is to implement with intention. This means being clear about your learning goals and objectives, and communicating them to your students. It also means being mindful of your instructional decisions and actions, and how they affect your students' learning. You can use different tools and techniques to implement your instruction, such as anchor activities, learning stations, menus, contracts, or playlists. By implementing with intention, you can create a supportive and engaging learning environment for your students.

4 Assess with variety

The fourth step to differentiate your instruction is to assess with variety. This means using different types of assessments to measure your students' progress and achievement, and to inform your instruction. You can use different formats and modes of assessments, such as formative, summative, diagnostic, performance-based, or portfolio-based. You can also use different criteria and rubrics to evaluate your students' work, such as standards-based, mastery-based, or growth-based. By assessing with variety, you can capture your students' learning in multiple ways and provide meaningful feedback.

5 Reflect with honesty

The fifth step to differentiate your instruction is to reflect with honesty. This means being critical and constructive about your own practice and performance, and identifying areas of improvement and growth. You can use different sources and methods to reflect on your instruction, such as self-evaluation, peer observation, student feedback, or professional development. You can also use different questions and prompts to guide your reflection, such as what worked well, what did not work well, what surprised you, what challenged you, or what would you do differently. By reflecting with honesty, you can learn from your experience and enhance your practice.

6 Collaborate with others

The sixth and final step to differentiate your instruction is to collaborate with others. This means seeking and sharing ideas, resources, and support with your colleagues, mentors, or experts. You can use different platforms and networks to collaborate with others, such as online communities, social media, blogs, podcasts, or webinars. You can also use different modes and purposes of collaboration, such as co-planning, co-teaching, co-assessing, or co-reflecting. By collaborating with others, you can enrich your knowledge and skills and expand your perspective.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?