1. Differentiation in the Classroom
A Parent’s Meeting
Vivian J. Cottingham
EDU352: Foundations of Educational Technology
Suzanne LeBeau
January 02, 2013

2. Children need to learn to except and embrace their differences!

3. – All students are different and learn in different ways. As Educators, it is important for us to
find the best way of reaching students and helping them learn.
– A good way to look at teaching is this… To effectively instruct is to recognize and accept that
students' have varying background knowledge, readiness to learn, language, preferences in
learning and interests; and to respond according to these needs. Different instruction is a process
to teaching and learning for students of different levels in the same class. The intent of
differentiating instruction is to maximize each student's growth and individual success by meeting
each student where he or she is and assisting in the learning process.(Hall, 2011)

4. Embracing Differences…

5. Differential learning is a great way of combining numerous activities in everyday teaching
activities. Using activities like games, reading, discussion, music, puzzles and videos to teach
children the fundamentals of education. A teacher can use a variety of ideas to teach different
students and keep their attention focused on the lesson at hand.

6. My child is just a “regular” student- there is nothing special about
them…
• Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you the
strength, the patience, and the passion to
reach for the stars to change the world.
Harriet Tubman (Infinite Web 2012)

7. There is something special about every child! Everybody has favorite things, fears
and talents. Many come from different cultural backgrounds. It is important to find
out what each child thinks is special about them and work to help that child grow into
the special person that they are. This is accomplished through DIFFERENTIATED
TEACHING.
So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key.
Lyrics from Already Gone, performed by the Eagles
for their 1974 On the Border album (Infinite Web 2012)

8. How will my child benefit from
differentiation in the classroom?
Differentiated instruction addresses
individual learning needs and adjusts
instruction to fit the skills and
experience level of each student in a
classroom (Smutny, 2003, p. 1).
Students need choices as to how they
will engage in classroom activities in
order to be successful. They have to
be excited and interested about the
topics discussed in order to
participate and make academic gains.
Furthermore, connecting curriculum
in the classroom with life happenings
outside of the classroom makes
learning meaningful (Voltz, 2003).
When students take ownership of
their learning, they become involved,
interactive, and take control by using
their individual learning styles to
access information, interpret
material, and demonstrate what they
have learned.(Committee2011)

10. All children have different needs, some are more obvious than others, however, every student is special and has
a different way of looking at education. As parents, teachers and educators, we have to find the best way of
reaching all students. All students should be encouraged to stand out and shine!!

11. It seems like so much work for the teacher to differentiate- can you comment on this idea?

12. Contrary to popular belief, teachers are not born knowing everything, they continue to learn as they help students
reach for the stars. When a teacher has figured out what is the best way of teaching a child or a group of students,
he or she has a world of ideas at their finger-tips, by either consulting with other teachers or by turning to the
internet where there are thousands of resources on every subject imaginable and a huge variety of ideas on how to
teach the subjects and make it understandable for the students in a variety of different learning styles.

13. Bibliography:
Committee, L. E. (2011). Differentiated Instruction. Retrieved September 19, 2012, from Learning Disabilities
Association of America: http://www.ldanatl.org/news/DIFFERENTIATED_INSTRUCTION.asp
Hall, T. S. (2011, January 14). Differentiated Instruction and Implications for UDL Implementation. Retrieved
September 19, 2012, from National Center on Accessible Instructional Material:
http://aim.cast.org/learn/historyarchive/backgroundpapers/differentiated_instruction_udl
Hess, M. A. (n.d.). Although Some Voice Doubts, Advocates Say Differentiated Instruction Can Raise the Bar for All
Learners . Retrieved September 19, 2012, from Wisconsin Education Association Council:
http://www.weac.org/Home/Parents_Community/differ.aspx
Infinity Web Development, LLC ; Inspirational Quotes: Follow Your Dreams (2012)