magento files are not readable Based on 200+ Proven Strategies for Teaching Reading Show
Looking for successful, easy-to-implement tools and techniques to integrate differentiated reading instruction? You’re in the right place. Read on! I imagine a literacy program as a maze of intersecting pathways; some of the students travel as a community, and others forge ahead as individuals or small groups. There are multiple routes to reading, and differentiation can lead the way. Differentiation is certainly getting a lot of buzz lately, but there is no magic wand needed to integrate differentiation into your literacy program. Quite simply, differentiation is adjusting your instruction to meet the unique needs of your diverse learners. Furthermore, according to Tomlinson (2001), “Differentiating instruction means ‘shaking up’ what goes on in the classroom so that students have multiple options for taking in information, making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn.” Differentiation is not a single strategy, but an approach to instruction that incorporates a variety of strategies. When teachers differentiate, they do so in response to a student’s readiness, interest, and learning profile. Because of their unique and diverse literacy needs, our students need us to differentiate the product, process, and/or content of learning. Differentiation is not …
Differentiation is…
The good news is, you can make a real difference in the literacy skills of your students without burning yourself out, with a few key techniques. To help you create literacy lessons that engage and motivate your students, I have described 20 tools that you can add to your differentiated instruction toolkit today. Remember, choose the ones that will work best for you, your teaching style, and the unique needs of your students. In other words, there are “different ways of knowing; different ways of showing.” Keep in mind that one size does not fit all. In fact, one size fits few. Strategies for Differentiating Reading InstructionProvide flexible grouping patternsGet away from fixed ability grouping. Students work as part of many different groups, depending on the task and/or content. Groups can be arranged by the teacher or selected by the students. This allows them to work with a wide variety of their peers and gets them away from being labeled as either struggling or advanced. Keep in mind the acronym TAPS:
ChoiceEmpower students to make choices of activities to complete or as they learn a skill. Choice reading keeps students engaged and moving forward. Choice boardsChoice boards are organizers that present the students a variety of activities to demonstrate their knowledge of a subject or skill. For instance, instead of assigning a cookie-cutter template of a book report that everyone must complete, why not set up a tic-tac-toe sheet listing many different options to report on a book that has been read and that taps into their interest and learning style? Some examples include:
Literacy centers, interest centers, and/or interest groupsLiteracy centers can provide choices or be assigned based on readiness levels. Students can work as part of small groups, depending on the task and/or content. Centers can focus on specific reading skills (e.g., phonics or vocabulary) or provide activities that center on a theme of interest. For a book report, students can work in interest groups with other students who have read the same book. Here are some other ideas for literacy centers that will help you differentiate:
Learning contractsLearning contracts are agreements between the teacher and the student. The teacher describes the needed skills to be mastered and the required components to complete assignments, and the student identifies methods to complete the tasks. This allows students to work at their appropriate pace and fosters their learning styles. It also promotes them to work independently and teaches them planning skills. Give students meaningful work, not busy workSmall-group instruction and literacy centers are important, but always keep in mind the goals, objectives, and outcomes of the lesson. Make the work for all learners appealing and motivatingDon’t provide paper-and-pencil worksheets for the struggling readers while the advanced students are engaged in project-based learning activities. Take time to teach procedures and routinesEstablish “conditions we need to work together” as group norms. Have the students vote on them, agree to them, and keep them posted at all times for reminders. Consider all of the moving parts of your literacy block. How can you help it run smoothly? Model the expected behaviors and practice. Some pointers to keep in mind:
Assess regularly on an ongoing basis with informal measuresDifferentiation isn’t just about having different students do different things. Differentiated instruction is based on student needs. Ongoing formative assessment is the key. Plan how you will use the results to differentiate. 3-2-1
Idea waveEach student lists three to five ideas about the assigned topic. One volunteer begins the idea wave by sharing an idea. The student to the right of the volunteer shares one idea; the next student to the right shares one more idea. The teacher directs the idea wave until several different ideas have been shared. Exit ticketsIn exit tickets, students write responses to questions posed at the end of a class or learning activity or at the end of a day. Numbered heads huddleEach student is assigned a number. Members of a group work together to agree on an answer. The teacher randomly selects one number. Students with that number answer for their group. Hand signalsAsk students to display a designated hand signal to indicate their understanding of a specific concept or process:
Structure your reading block for differentiationTry something new. It is hard to differentiate with a literacy block of whole-class instruction the entire time. Start with a whole-class mini-lesson of no more than 10 minutes. Incorporate a targeted reading skill: comprehension strategy, word-solving, vocabulary, etc. Then provide time for choice in independent reading and/or literacy centers. This gives you time to meet individually or with small groups for targeted instruction. Conclude with a brief sharing session. Tiered assignmentsTiered assignments are designed to instruct students on essential skills that are provided at different levels of complexity. The curricular content and objectives are the same, but the process or products are modified according to the student’s level of readiness. For example, students with moderate comprehension skills are asked to create a story map, whereas students with advanced comprehension skills are asked to retell the story from the perspective of one of the main characters. Target different senses and learning styles within lessonsRethink how lessons can be presented using a range of learning styles by:
Make time for journaling and quick-write activitiesDon’t be afraid to press the pause button and have students reflect on the lessons you’ve taught or stories they have read. Explore literature circlesOrganizing students into literature circles encourages them to share their understanding of the readings, and helps auditory and participatory learners retain more information by getting more involved. This also gives you an opportunity to informally assess their comprehension as you listen to their discussion, asking questions and promoting a deeper understanding. Assign open-ended projectsGet away from the cookie-cutter approach to assignments. Give students a list of possible projects that can demonstrate their understanding of the lesson. This encourages them to work at their own pace, engage actively with the content, and showcase their distinct learning styles. Wrapping upUse these differentiated instruction strategies and techniques to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of your students as they engage in the multiple pathways to literacy. After all, the purpose is reaching the widest range of students with their various entry points to learning. Take it slow and be easy on yourself. Keep adding new strategies to your toolbox each year … slow down to go faster … and have fun! References: Perez, K. (2016). 200+ proven strategies for teaching reading. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press. Tomlinson, C. (2001). How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. |