Differentiated learning centers are stations set up around the classroom that allow students to extend their knowledge and skills in different areas based on their interests and learning styles. The centers focus on standards and monitor student growth while addressing different reading levels, intelligences, interests, and skill levels. Teachers should find students' learning styles and interests, define clear learning goals for each center, and develop activities that let students achieve objectives in their preferred way. Different approaches include having students work on centers after direct instruction, choosing centers, or using centers for most content delivery. Clear directions, procedures, and self-assessment are important for effective differentiated centers.

1. Differentiated Learning Centers Stations with a TwistCompiled By Stacey Wallace & Connie Hadley

2. Differentiated Learning CentersWhat they are….Activities or materials set up in different areas throughout the room used to extend knowledge, enhance skills, and teach to student interest and learning style.What they do….Focus on standards and skills.Monitors students learning growth.Address the range of reading levels, intelligences, interests, and skill levels.Provide clear instructions and expectations.Teach accountability for knowledge and independence/interdependence.

3. How Do I Use This Method?Find out students learning styles and interests. How? Formal Survey; Learning Style test; Ice BreakersClearly define the learning goal/standard.Establish clear objectives for each center.Develop an avenue for students to achieve that objective at that center.How do they learn best? What interests them?Assign students tasks according to ability.Have students keep a record of their center.

4. Different Approaches to Learning centersStudents work on centers after the teacher directed instruction and assigned work is done.Pro: Motivates completion of homework and learning.Con: Students to not do assignments to the best of their ability.Have students choose the centers to attend.Pro: Motivates learning through choice and interest.Con: Not enough space to attend to all interests.Extend the CurriculumChoice Learning

5. Different Approaches to Learning centersStudents learn the majority of content through centers.Students attend all centers.Allow for students to self-pace time on each center.Students demonstrate knowledge of content prior to formal assessment.Students choose their centers based on interests/learning styles.Delivery of ContentReview of Content

6. Preparedness:Leave time to allow individual questions from students.Have procedures and expectations clearly explained in writing at each center.Establish anchor activities when students complete work at a station and are waiting to move on.Give each student their own check list and opportunity to self-assess quality of work.

7. How To Use This MethodDetermine students learning styles.Pre-assessment of skill levels (homework, observation).Create centers based on determined styles.Differentiate levels in groups.Give clear directions (written, auditory, picture prompts).Establish clear expectations (what will it look like).Give students a recording system to track of their centers.

8. Survival Skills Clear directionsEstablish routineAccountability Portfolios, checklists, rubric, etc.Connectivity with new, old or current content Flexibility Extra/alternate materials & changeable within given centersAnchor questions

9. What can Be used for Visual Learners?PuzzlesDrawingWritingReadingVisual sequencingMemoryTracingBig books

10. What Can Be used for Kinesthetic Learners?ClayStampingDice or card gamesFloorPuzzlesExperimentsRole playing

11. What can Be used for Auditory Learners?Books read to them by a partnerElectronic books readTeacher instructed small groupRetelling into a tape recorder

12. References:Middendorf, Cindy Retrieved July 27, 2009, from Differentiating Learning Centers Web site: http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:xyZ21RsYV9cJ:community.learnnc.org/dpi/ec/archives/Differentiating%2520Learning%2520Centers.doc+differentiated+centers&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Tomlinson, C.A. (1999). The Differentiated Classroom. Alexandria, VA; ASCDAssociation for Supervision and Curriculum Development. www.ascd.org© Connie Hadley & Stacey Wallace (2009)