Differentiating Curriculum
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Curriculum differentiation is a broad term referring to the need to tailor teaching environments and practices to create appropriately different learning experiences for different students.
A differentiated classroom includes the following elements:- Student differences are studied
- Assessment is ongoing and diagnostic to understand how to make instruction more responsive to learner need
- Focus on multiple forms of intelligence is evident
- Excellence is defined in large measure by individual growth from a starting point
- Students are frequently guided in making interest-based learning choices
- Many learning profile options are provided for
- Many instructional arrangements are used
- Student readiness, interest, and learning profile shapes instruction
More differentiated classroom characteristics:- Multi-option assignments are frequently used
- Time is used flexibly in accordance with student need
- Multiple materials are provided
- The teacher facilitates students' skills at becoming more self-reliant learners
- Students work with the teacher to establish both whole-class and individual learning goals
- Students are assessed in multiple ways
- Students help other students and the teacher solve problems
- Use of essential skills to make sense of and understand key concepts and principles is the focus of learning