I-3 Explain differentiated instruction and how you plan to use it.

What is differentiation and how would I use it? Differentiation is to meet the students individual needs and the ability of the teacher to respond to those needs. A teacher can respond to these needs by different means such as working in small groups or on an individual basis. This is all done in order to give the student(s) the best learning experience possible in the classroom. There are a few ways that a teacher can actually utilize the differentiation process. One way is based on how the way the classroom flows. Is it a smooth process going from one subject to another and overall how the environment of the classroom feels to the students. Another is the process in which the student learns, and also in the way that they interact or engage to help them understand the content being taught. Another of the elements that a teacher can differentiate is the content of what the student needs to learn and the method in which the student will get the needed information. This also will involve how a student will culminate projects to review, and to have the ability to apply what they have learned. Once they can apply it then they can expand what they have learned. Some of the methods that I hope to be able to use for differentiated instruction will be to meet with small groups for reinforcing and additional information needed on the unit. This would be like using tiered activities based on the comprehension levels. I feel that student support between each other is also very beneficial. By having students within groups or partners they would be able to work at centers easily. Since everyone learns in a different way and is stimulated in different ways, I would like to make sure that I include the different learning methods. This would include providing manipulatives for those more hands on, and then something different for each method. Some students need movement while others might be better off if they sit quietly to work. I want to be flexible to their learning ways, but still structured. Time is always a way to use differentiation. If a student is slower, change the length of time they are allowed to work on the project. If a student is more advance or quick, have them do a project that would entail more research or more depth. If there are lessons that will allow independent work, I would like to have students be able to create their assignments as long as their work demonstrates the comprehension and certain elements are within their project.