Examples of ways to differentiate instruction

TeachersFirst's Thinking Teachers who write our resource reviews often have suggestions that have worked in their classrooms. Open the reviews to the "more" view to see ideas for using specific resources as tools to differentiate for a variety of learners. Alternatively, use the keyword search tool at the left of this page to search for a curriculum topic and the term "differentiate." For example, search fractions differentiate (with "all the words" selected for the search).
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Easy Tweets - easytweets.net
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): chat (37), microblogging (23), twitter (31)
In the Classroom
Use Easy Tweets with ESL/ELL students as an authentic way to practice reading skills. Use to differentiate with different abilities of readers as you follow certain current events to learn more. Use Easy Tweets to model writing skills. Have students compare the differences between Tweets at different levels. Consider using this tool for finding Twitter information about possible people of interest (i.e. scientists, politicians, singers, actors), to follow. Looking for more ways to use Twitter in the classroom? Read more about Twitter at TeachersFirst's Twitter for Teachers page.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Learn to Play the Piano - Hoffman Academy
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): music theory (45), musical instruments (44), musical notation (36)
In the Classroom
If you don't have access to a piano, don't worry, you can still learn how to play! Take advantage of the online virtual piano, reviewed here, to practice just like you would on a real piano. Share with your school's music teacher as an excellent resource for teaching students notes and piano keys. The self-paced videos offer a great opportunity to differentiate for different ability levels while achieving success for all. Share a link to this site on your class website for parents to use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kiddom - Kiddom
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (125), classroom management (131), commoncore (78), data (136), Learning Management Systems (24), rubrics (30), social and emotional learning (72), Teacher Utilities (132)
In the Classroom
Use Kiddom to collect data and differentiate student instruction in any classroom. Add each class or group of students to document. Follow learning goals and mastery of standards. Share Kiddom information with parents as part of your ongoing communication process. Use Kiddom to collect and gather information for IEP and other intervention and data collection meetings. If you are lucky enough to have access to Apple devices in your classroom, download the free math apps.Comments
A fun to use app with very helpful support staff. Also, they have standards available for 7-12, not just K-6.Jordan, , Grades: 0 - 12
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The Griddle - Handcrafted Logical Fun - David Millar
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): logic (162), problem solving (214), sudoku (10), worksheets (68)
In the Classroom
Use the puzzles found on The Griddle as part of math centers, for homework, or as part of any logic and problem-solving unit. Create and differentiate worksheets using the Worksheet Generator.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Black History Month Resources - PBS
Grades
K to 12tag(s): black history (106), civil rights (176), cultures (123), martin luther king (40), racism (71), video (244)
In the Classroom
Explore this site for many different lessons and resources to use during Black History Month and with lessons on racism and bias throughout the year. Use lessons found here to differentiate for students of different levels. Be sure to check out the Discrimination - fair or unfair? lesson plan that is designed specifically for students who have difficulty with verbal and written expression.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Choosito! - Eleni Miltsakaki
Grades
K to 12tag(s): bookmarks (47), learning disability (22), Learning Management Systems (24), search engines (51), search strategies (21), Special Needs (45), Teacher Utilities (132)
In the Classroom
Create a classroom account and provide a link on classroom computers for student searches at any time. Differentiate in your class by assigning reading by reading level. ESL/ELL and resource teachers will find this especially helpful when looking for reading material at your students' level for topics assigned in core classes. Be sure to introduce Choosito! on an interactive whiteboard or projector for students to understand how to use this search engine. Share Choosito! with parents for use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CommonLit - CommonLit
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): critical thinking (102), differentiation (69), literature (221), reading comprehension (128), spanish (103), Teacher Utilities (132), themes (11)
In the Classroom
CommonLit is an excellent resource for literature teachers, speech and debate teachers, and history teachers. Share the site with students on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and ask the class what themes they would like to investigate. Under each theme are two questions. Divide the class into small groups with each group investigating one of the questions for one of the themes and reading the accompanying text. Differentiate for students by having students read on the same theme, but at their reading level. Challenge individuals, pairs, or small groups to create a graphic organizer for the story they read replacing paper and pencil and using a tool like Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers, reviewed here. You could take this to another level and have two groups read different selections on the same theme, use a graphic organizer to make comparisons for how the theme was presented, and then enhance learning by challenging the groups to present their findings to the class via video. Use a simple video creator like Binumi, reviewed here. This site would also work when you have to make substitute plans unexpectedly. Just put the link in your plans and tell the sub what theme you want students to read about, or better yet, let the sub choose!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SolveMe Puzzles - The Transition to Algebra (TTA) project
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): logic (162), problem solving (214), puzzles (142)
In the Classroom
SolveMe Puzzles are perfect for use on interactive whiteboards (or a projector) as part of your Algebra lessons. Create a link to the puzzles on classroom computers for student use as part of your differentiated learning options. Be sure to share a link on your class website for use at home. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here, to explain solutions to puzzles.Comments
It is good to motivate learners to study mathematics subject while playing.Elesio Catalla, , Grades: 0 - 12
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Global Climate Change - NASA
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): climate (78), climate change (79)
In the Classroom
Use this resource for some excellent background information on climate change. Create public service announcements outlining the key points from this site. Create a campaign for making small changes in our lives that can add up to a big difference. Assign small groups to explore one facet of this site and create a multimedia presentation using one of many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Alternatively, you could share this site with students and provide time for them to explore on their own. Ask them to share their findings and observations using sticky notes posted to a collaborative Google Jamboard, reviewed here. Enhance student learning using Newsela, reviewed here, to assign texts and articles related to glaciers and climate change. Use Newsela's teaching tools to assign writing prompts and quizzes within any shared articles. Differentiate instruction with Newsela by choosing texts that match the different reading and comprehension levels of your students. Extend learning by asking individuals or groups of students to use Juxtapose, reviewed here, to create a before and after image to demonstrate changes of ice formations over time. Be sure to follow the tips and tricks found on Juxtapose as your students build their interactive images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kentucky Numeracy Project - Kentucky Center for Mathematics
Grades
K to 5tag(s): commoncore (78), number sense (70), numbers (118)
In the Classroom
Register for access to this site then bookmark for use throughout the year. Take advantage of these free resources to find lessons, assessments, and interventions for math instruction. Find resources to differentiate instruction based on student needs. Share this site with other teachers in your building.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cubing and Think Dots Strategy - Eulouise Williams
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): blooms taxonomy (5), differentiation (69), learning styles (18), professional development (319)
In the Classroom
Use ideas from this PDF to differentiate and offer a variety of learning opportunities to students. Share this site and the strategies with peers during professional development sessions. Have students create cubes or think dots of their own for use when reviewing material for tests and quizzes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Journey to a New Land - Simon Fraser University Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): archeology (23), native americans (85)
In the Classroom
Include this resource as you teach about Native Americans. These peoples did not divide themselves as "Canadian" or "American," so much of the information here is applicable in a U.S. classroom as well! Differentiate for high or low students easily using the different levels of the site. The primary level requires far less reading so offers a good introduction for weaker readers or ESL/ELL students. Have students write a script and create a video or simply compose a blog post about daily life as one of the people migrating into North America (but be sure to talk about the fact that they probably did not actually know how to write). Extend learning by using a visual blogging tool such as Telegra.ph, reviewed here, for students to share their learning and understanding. With Telegra.ph you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add a YouTube or Vimeo, or Twitter links. This blog creator requires no registration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Story Shares - Louise Baigelman and Gary Herman
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): book lists (133), differentiation (69), digital storytelling (138), ebooks (34), reading comprehension (128)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site to your reluctant or struggling readers on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups to find interesting reading material. Be sure to provide a link to Story Shares on your class website or blog for students to explore at home. Use this site to differentiate for students of all levels and for use with special education or ENL/ESL students. Have students write their own comprehension questions and answers based on the book to check their own comprehension and to exchange with classmates.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Edcite - 2014 Edcite Inc.
Grades
1 to 8tag(s): assessment (125), test prep (69)
In the Classroom
Use technology to motivate and engage your students. Give these quality text passages personalized to your class needs. Use as a teaching tool on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Continue to use individually or as small group instruction. Pair a weak reader with a strong reader for independent pair work. You can easily differentiate by creating tiered assignments to meet each students' needs. Share at your next staff meeting to provide collaboration between teachers. Use in a flipped classroom and have students complete the work at home. They will still receive immediate feedback! Use at parent gatherings to provide an example of the grade level expectations. Put on your classroom website as a way to practice at home. Before assigning questions to individual students you might want to check the readability of the questions or supplied readings. Use a tool such as The Readability Test Tool, reviewed here. This reviewer found the articles in some grade levels to be about two years higher in reading level than the grade listed for the question.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Stampsy - Roman Mazurenko
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): blogs (72), organizational skills (88), portfolios (24), social networking (75)
In the Classroom
Use Stampsy to create collections of images, videos, and more for any teaching unit. Share examples of different types of geography, collections of plants or animals, examples of literature - the possibilities are endless! As you gather lesson ideas and create your unit, use Symbaloo Learning Paths, reviewed here, to create differentiated lesson activities for your students. Have students create a Stampsy collection as an alternative to traditional types of presentations. Create a class account and have students add materials to a Stampsy to use with any unit. Share with students to use as an online portfolio for college applications.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Geographic Education - National Geographic
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animals (268), climate change (79), commoncore (78), earth day (60), ecology (95), energy (127), food chains (16), map skills (55), maps (208), migration (42), multimedia (40), oceans (133), STEM (228), weather (155)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark (or favorite) this site for use throughout the year to find real-world resources for classroom use. Don't forget to look for materials on National Geographic for use with Earth Day and Arbor Day activities! Differentiate easily using the multiple levels of materials found within National Geographic. Some text portions are challenging, so you should pair weaker readers with a partner as they research on this site. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage, reviewed here. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as WordItOut, reviewed here. If you use Apple products in your classroom, be sure to download the interactive iBooks for use in classroom centers or independent reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Change Gamer - Mike Farley
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (268), earth (178), ecology (95), energy (127), environment (225), financial literacy (92), fish (18), game based learning (167), human body (90), map skills (55), migration (42), natural disasters (17), planets (108), plants (136), politics (107), problem solving (214), stars (60)
In the Classroom
Use these interactives to review concepts learned during a unit of study. Consider using the interactives at the start of a unit to teach concepts as the material is being learned. Be sure to download the student activity document. Use the pre-questions to identify misconceptions and activate prior knowledge. Directions in the document alert you to the basics of using the interactive. Provide the post-questions to the students as they play the interactive to be aware of what they will be learning. Replace paper and pen and use a blogging tool such as Telegra.ph, reviewed here. This blog creator requires no registration; be sure to have students save the URL to share with you. Students can answer the questions individually, as groups, or as a class to review the concepts learned during the interactive and connect it to class. As a class, discuss how the scenario presented in the interactive is or is not like actual environmental issues of today. Enhance learning and get the shyest of students involved in the discussion by using a backchannel chat such as YoTeach!, reviewed here. Change Gamer would also be an excellent activity for gifted students or for those who are ahead in their work in a differentiated classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Texas Performance Standards Project - Texas Performance Standards Project
Grades
K to 12tag(s): differentiation (69), gifted (63)
In the Classroom
Use this site to meet the needs of your gifted students. Use guides and materials to differentiate instruction in your classroom. Share with other teachers as a resource for collaboration with students across classrooms.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Corbettmaths - Mr. Corbett
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): addition (126), angles (50), charts and graphs (162), coordinates (13), decimals (86), division (98), equations (117), estimation (34), fractions (160), geometric shapes (131), inequalities (22), mean (20), measurement (124), median (16), mode (13), multiplication (121), probability (92), problem solving (214), pythagorean theorem (20), quadratics (25), sequences (11), square roots (15), subtraction (108), time (92), transformations (12), volume (32)
In the Classroom
Use printables and worksheets from Corbettmath for homework, review, and reinforcement of any math concept. View videos together and have students complete practice questions. Create a link to YouTube videos on your class website or blog for students to view at home. Use this site to differentiate for students of all levels. Share this site as a way to review before tests.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Worksheet Genius - worksheetgenius.com
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (126), counting (58), decimals (86), division (98), fractions (160), handwriting (15), multiplication (121), negative numbers (12), number lines (33), numbers (118), phonics (48), place value (34), preK (246), rounding (8), sentences (23), spelling (93), subtraction (108), temperature (33)
In the Classroom
This worksheet tool offers many customization options, so it is easy to differentiate for ability levels within your class. Use worksheets from Worksheet Genius in learning centers. You can also make a touchable center by sharing them as a center on an interactive whiteboard. Share a link on your class website or newsletter for parents to use at home. Use Worksheet Generator for review before quizzes and tests.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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