What is differentiation?

Overview:
This lesson is an introduction to the idea of differentiation. It is for teachers that have
little to no understanding or misconception about differentiated instruction. Before the
start of this lesson, teachers should be given the pre-test to see where their level of
readiness is in relation to the Learning Targets of this lesson.
Learning Targets:

Describe the concept of differentiation and give examples of what it is and what it is
not.

Know the four elements we can differentiate.

Understand what areas we need to know about our students to help us create
meaningful and engaging lessons

Materials:
Pretest on differentiation
Animal School Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyweQQMfNVs
Quote by John Hattie
Differentiation E-maze Presentation
Video on differentiation by Carol Ann Tomlinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=6xH0K3Z-dbo

Task cards
Laptops
Time needed: 30 minutes
Procedure:
1. Teacher should be given the pretest a few days before the planned professional
development in order to plan accordingly to meet their needs.
2. Group teachers based on their level of understanding on the pretest.
Lesson 1 What is differentiation?

Little to no understanding
Some understanding but a few misconceptions
Full understanding
3. Once teachers are in their groups, distribute tasks cards to match each group.
4. Teachers should work on the task on their card. They can either work alone, with a
partner or in a small group.
5. Once their tasks are complete, bring the group together to discuss.
Ask them questions such as:
What did you notice about the way this professional development was set up
today?
How did it feel different from other professional development you have
attended?
Remind teachers that just like our students, teachers have many differences as
well. We have different strengths and areas were we could use more support. This
unit will try to help teachers build an understanding of differentiated instruction
while modeling for them what that looks like.
6. Have teachers complete the evaluation before they leave.

Lesson 1 What is differentiation?

Name ___________________________________
Date______________________

Lesson 1 Pretest
1. What does differentiation mean?

2. What ways do you currently differentiate your instruction?

3. What are some things that teachers might do that are not
really considered differentiated instruction?

4. Explain the difference between proactive differentiation versus

reactive differentiation.

Lesson 1 What is differentiation?

5. What elements can we differentiate in our classroom?

6. What things do we need to know about our students to help

make differentiation a success?

7. What are the essential ingredients to differentiated

instruction?

Lesson 1 What is differentiation?

Task Card
1.

Watch the animal school video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=VyweQQMfNVs

Pick one animal from the video and think about how you
might support this student in your class.

2. Read the following Quote by John Hattie.

So many students are physically present and psychologically absent.
About 40 percent of students go through the motions, neither trying
hard nor paying attention. So many cut class and are truant, so many
admit to cheating to get through, so many lose interest because they
cannot keep up, and so many are bored by the lack of appropriate
challenge. So many do not learn that ability is not enough and effort is
crucial. About half of students who drop out say their classes were not
interesting, and about two-thirds say not one teacher cared about their
success in learning at school. Not all is rosy with teachers, teaching,
and school.

To what degree does his statement capture the experiences of

students in our school.

3. Listen to the presentation and fill in the graphic organizer.

Lesson 1 What is differentiation?

Task Card
1.

Watch the animal school video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=VyweQQMfNVs

What are some ways our students may differ and how might
we support those differences?

2. Read the following Quote by John Hattie.

So many students are physically present and psychologically absent.
About 40 percent of students go through the motions, neither trying
hard nor paying attention. So many cut class and are truant, so many
admit to cheating to get through, so many lose interest because they
cannot keep up, and so many are bored by the lack of appropriate
challenge. So many do not learn that ability is not enough and effort is
crucial. About half of students who drop out say their classes were not
interesting, and about two-thirds say not one teacher cared about their
success in learning at school. Not all is rosy with teachers, teaching,
and school.

To what degree does his statement capture the experiences of

students in our school. What kinds of students might
recognize his comments as true? As untrue?

3. Watch the following video by Carol Tomlinson. Create a poster

that captures the key elements of differentiation.
Lesson 1 What is differentiation?

Task Card
1.

Watch the animal school video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=VyweQQMfNVs

What are some ways our students may differ and how might
we support those differences?

2. Read the following Quote by John Hattie.

So many students are physically present and psychologically absent.
About 40 percent of students go through the motions, neither trying
hard nor paying attention. So many cut class and are truant, so many
admit to cheating to get through, so many lose interest because they
cannot keep up, and so many are bored by the lack of appropriate
challenge. So many do not learn that ability is not enough and effort is
crucial. About half of students who drop out say their classes were not
interesting, and about two-thirds say not one teacher cared about their
success in learning at school. Not all is rosy with teachers, teaching,
and school.

Have you ever met a student that falls within this description?
What are some things we can change for these students?

3. Create a song, story, play, or poem to explain the elements of

differentiated instruction.

Lesson 1 What is differentiation?