This document provides an overview of a presentation on using differentiation in the classroom. It begins with introductions of the presenter, Rabbi Akevy Greenblatt, and his background in education. The presentation then defines differentiation as meeting the needs of more students more of the time. It discusses creating engaged, motivated learners by individualizing instruction, teaching to interests, and pacing appropriately. Specific differentiation strategies are provided such as jigsaw, choice boards, and small group work. The presentation emphasizes balancing basic skills teaching with differentiation and trying new approaches even if they fail. It concludes that caring about individual students and their success is the most important aspect of differentiation.

1. Tips and Strategies for
Using Differentiation in
the Classroom
Presented by:
Akevy Greenblatt

2. Who Am I
●
Rabbi Akevy Greenblatt is currently the Judaic Studies Lower School
Principal at the Margolin Hebrew Academy in Memphis TN and has
been named as the incoming Principal for Ohr Chadash Academy in
Baltimore MD. Rabbi Greenblatt has been involved in education for the
last 20 years and is a leading change agent in trying to incorporate 21st
Century skills with Judaic studies. He believes that meeting students'
needs and differentiated instruction are at the core of teaching. Akevy
is one of the founders and moderators for #jedchat as well as a
member of Connected Principals and a frequent presenter at
conferences. You can learn more about Akevy from his “Principals
Post” at agreenblatt.blogspot.com and by following him on Twitter
@Akevy613

3. Overview
● Today many of us use terms like differentiated
Instruction and 21st Century skills.
● But do we all fully understand what they mean?
● To some it may seem as though we are changing what we
teach and adding to how we teach.
● In this webinar, we will show that differentiating
instruction and meeting the needs of students is not
something new, but something we do all the time.
● It is just good teaching. We’ll discuss some ideas, tips, and
strategies that you can use to help make this happen.

4. What IS Differentiated Instruction ?
Meeting the needs of more of our
Students More of the Time
Why this definition ?

5. What do we want for our Students
● Engaged
● Reach his/her potential
● Be active learners
● Love of learning
● Motivated
● Interested
● Life long learners

6. Nothing New But How
● Meet their needs
● Individualize the learning
● Teach towards their interests
● Pace
In other words “DIFFERENTIATE”

7. Something To Remember
. Change your expectations.
One size does not fit all. Not
everyone fits the traditional mould of
school, but that doesn’t mean they
can’t learn. You might need to change
what you do. Remember you teach
people, not subjects.
http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/10-ways-to-differentiate-learning/

8. Responsive Teaching
To Understand Students Differences
D.I. Video

9. Add More Ideas to Remember when
Differentiating
1. Let go.
•Give the students (at least some)
ownership of their learning.
•Don’t always be the boss of the class, be part
of the community of learners.
•Don’t make all the decisions.
•Allow choice.
•Encourage students to think about how they
learn best.
•Have students decide how to demonstrate their
learning.
http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/10-ways-to-differentia

10. ● 2. Use technology creatively.
• Blogging,
• film making,
• global interactions,
• social media,
• photography,
• gaming (and much more!)
all provide naturally differentiated opportunities for
learners with varied levels of ability, different
interests and special talents.

11. 3. Care about what matters to them.
● Encourage learners to follow their interests.
● Know their story. Make their learning
relevant. Connect with their passions… or
help them to discover what they might be.

12. IMPORTANT KEYS TO REMEMBER
● We Still must teach the basic ( If someone
doesn’t like to write doesn’t mean he never
has to write)
● Must Find a Balance
● We must as Teachers be willing to Try and
FAIL

13. HOW CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE
● Jigsaw
● I have who has
● Tic Tac Toe
● Open ended projects
● Give Students Choices
● Centers and small group instruction
● Anchor Activities

14. Benefits
● Small Group instruction
● More engaged learners
● Students have more ownership over their
learning
● Share and add your own

15. What Teachers and Admins Say:
● If what we teach diminishes who we teach and erodes how
we teach, we are no longer teaching. - Tomlinson, 2001
● If there is any one secret to an enduring great teacher, it is
the ability to manage continuity and change at the same
time- a discipline that must be consciously practiced. -
Mark Walker - The George Washington University
● "A school for all kinds of minds will not label its students." -
Dr. Mel Levine, founder of All Kinds of Minds Institute
● The success of education depends on adapting teaching to
individual differences among learners. - Yeuzheng, 4th
Century BC Chinese Treatise, Xue Ji

16. Bottom Line
There are no silver bullets or easy answers but if
we truly care about our students ( Which we
all do ) then we should want to do what ever
we can do to help them succeed as
individuals.

17. A Final Thought
The Animal School: A Fable
by George Reavis
http://www.janebluestein.com/handouts/animal.html

18. The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. In the climbing class, he
beat all the others to the top of the tree but insisted on using his own way to get there.
At the end of the year, an abnormal eel that could swim exceeding well and also run,
climb and fly a little had the highest average and was valedictorian.
The prairie dogs stayed out of school and fought the tax levy because the administration
would not add digging and burrowing to the curriculum. They apprenticed their children
to a badger and later joined the groundhogs and gophers to start a successful private
school.
Does this fable have a moral?
Note: This story was written when George Reavis was the Assistant Superintendent of the Cincinnati Public Schools
back in the 1940s! This content is in the public domain and free to copy, duplicate, and distribute. If you would prefer
a full-color, illustrated book, one is currently available from Crystal Springs Books at 1-800-321-0401 or 603-924-9621
(fax 603-924-6688)

19. Contact Information
Rabbi Akevy Greenblatt
Email: rabbigreenblatt@gmail.com
Twitter: @akevy613
Blog post: Principal Post agreenblatt.blogspot.com