Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated instruction can be implemented in reading through leveled reading books and guided reading groups.
Differentiated instruction is a great teaching strategy that reaches every student on an individual basis and builds student reading success.
Reading response journals allowed me to differentiate my reading instruction to each individual student. Students were provided an appropriate reading level book, were assigned different readings weekly and then monitored their comprehension and understanding of those readings through questions and graphic organizers.
"Teachers must acknowledge students' differences in background knowledge, skill level, and preferences to effectively differentiate instruction," said program consultant Doug Fisher, Ph.D., professor of language and literacy education at San Diego University.
The instructional method of differentiation is one way to ensure that all students are achieving at their highest potential. Students come from diverse backgrounds, have different skill sets, possess various levels of background knowledge, and represent various learning styles. As teachers, we must become more deliberate and thoughtful about how we meet the needs of our students. The differentiation in reading response journals allowed me as an instructor to see what reading strategies each student was proficient in and which strategies needed more instruction. I was then able to identify these strategies in my small reading groups and guide my students to a better understanding of each strategy.
Differentiated instruction is a great teaching strategy that reaches every student on an individual basis and builds student reading success.
Reading response journals allowed me to differentiate my reading instruction to each individual student. Students were provided an appropriate reading level book, were assigned different readings weekly and then monitored their comprehension and understanding of those readings through questions and graphic organizers.
"Teachers must acknowledge students' differences in background knowledge, skill level, and preferences to effectively differentiate instruction," said program consultant Doug Fisher, Ph.D., professor of language and literacy education at San Diego University.
The instructional method of differentiation is one way to ensure that all students are achieving at their highest potential. Students come from diverse backgrounds, have different skill sets, possess various levels of background knowledge, and represent various learning styles. As teachers, we must become more deliberate and thoughtful about how we meet the needs of our students. The differentiation in reading response journals allowed me as an instructor to see what reading strategies each student was proficient in and which strategies needed more instruction. I was then able to identify these strategies in my small reading groups and guide my students to a better understanding of each strategy.
Students were assigned appropriate reading level books to read and complete response journal work. I was able to follow each student's reading growth and provide extra help to my low-level readers with the reading workshop.
Computer programs such as Study Island provide students an opportunity to practice content area skills at their ability level.
Literacy Centers and Math Centers allowed me to meet with each individual student and provide assistance, modifications, and extensions for each assignment and task.
