What is Differentiated Instruction?

Differentiated Instruction is a framework to effective

teaching that provides specific instructional strategies and
methods to meet the needs of students. This framework
considers learning style, academic deficits and strengths,
motivation, interests, and other details about the students.
Differentiated instruction is part of the Universal Design for
Learning (UDL).
When teaching students content such as math or reading, it
is imperative that the educator build on the prior knowledge of
the subject. He or she must ask: What do these students know?
When building on prior knowledge, it also important to
relate the subject to the students’ lives. Educators must answer
these questions: So, what? Why should I care? Furthermore,
this type of instruction benefits all students.
Components of Differentiated Curriculum:
1. Content: The information that the students will learn.
2. Process: Activities and/or assignments that will allow the students to understand the
subject on a deeper level.
3. Product: Students will show what they learned and extend their understanding of the
overall content.
4. Learning Environment: The classroom conditions will be conducive to learning the
topic. The educator will have the materials needed for the activities with simple
instructions.
Considerations of Differentiated Instruction for Specific Students
1. Strengths and Talents:
a. What is the student’s overall strength and/or talent? How can the educator
integrate this into instruction? Each student possesses a gift, talent, and/or
strength. Educators must encourage it in the classroom and find ways to
incorporate it.
2. Area of Deficits/Areas of Improvement:
a. Educators must know the areas of improvement for each student and create
activities and assignments with these areas in mind. The activities may need to be
changed or the teacher may need to create a separate activity for the students.
3. Interests/Passions:
a. A student’s passion can be integrated into every assignment in some capacity.
This allows students to learn about the subjects that they care about and creates
overall interest in topic.
4. Personalities:
 a. Some students are introverts and others are extroverts; therefore, it is imperative
for the teacher to plan time to socialize and time for independent work. Balance is
the key.
More Than Anything, Differentiated Instruction is….
• Focused on student
• Provides various methods to content, process, and product
• Combines class, small group, and individualized instruction
Examples:
• Interest groups
• Centers
• Think-Pair-Share
• Use highlighted texts
• Provide assignments in larger texts
• Homework Buffet: different options for homework
• Games
• Artwork
• Posters
• Story telling
• Word games