Differentiated Instruction Strategies for my 10-week Practicum

Since January, I was able to observe students on a weekly basis and learn many strategies on how to implement differentiated instruction. This past Thursday was my final visit before my long practicum, which begins at the end of March. On Thursday, I took the opportunity to discuss with my school advisor the strategies that I am hoping to implement. Some of these strategies include:

1. Giving students a deadline on when to complete their work. However, providing some students – those that are at a lower level – with additional time.
2. I will be asking students to complete 3 large projects over the course of my 10-week practicum. Students will be provided with rubrics that meet THEIR needs. I will not provide students a general rubric, but instead, will personalize it for the students that are at a lower level, and even those that are at a higher level.
3. In addition to providing students with various rubrics, I will also provide students with choice in what they wish to hand in. Therefore, not every final project will look the same.
4. Although this one may be a bit tricky, I am hoping to have mini student conferences at least once or twice during the course of the 10-week practicum. This will allow me to better understand their needs, and make arrangements for students that are not yet meeting expectations.
5. Differentiating quizzes! During my weekly visits, I observed 4 students that require personalized quizzes. Therefore, I will continue to do this during the 10 weeks at my practicum school. Some ways to differentiate it include: including word banks for fill-in-the-blank type questions, providing these students with different questions, and front-loading the students prior to the quiz!
6. Make connections to the real world! By doing this, students will be able to find interest in the subject content.
7. Use technology to meet the needs of diverse learners! I will incorporate the use of PowerPoint and other programs to engage students. Furthermore, I will allow students (and parents) to keep in contact with my via email to differentiate instruction. These emails may be extra resources/support that students may require.