Welcome to #saskedchat! Tonight we welcome guest moderator @bickd who will be leading us in an exploration of Differentiation! Get ready for a great chat!
A1: Differentiating for learning means planning for all different types of learners in order to ensure each student gets the most out of the lesson. #Onesizedoesnotfitall#saskedchat
To me differentiating learning means planning for and being open to students demonstrating their growth and learning in many different ways. #saskedchat
A1 - Differentiation learning for me is providing opportunity for students to demonstrate what they know and what they are learning and gives insights into how to support their learning. #saskedchat
A1: Differentiation can become such a huge concept. We need to keep it simple when dealing with something as complex and consuming. So, I always liked the phrase "student by student, target by target” when providing support, deciding on grouping and all key pieces. #saskedchat
I agree @pattersonaubrey - sometimes it can become something that overwhelms teachers instead of helping them to support student learning along a continuum. #saskedchat
A1: to me it means getting to know each student as a learner. What are their strengths, and how can those be leveraged? Where are their gaps, and how can we start filling those? Most importantly, it means really listening to what they are telling you #saskedchat
A2 It always was we just didn’t do it. To get the very best outcome for each student we need to be keenly aware of how they learn best and what they need. #saskedchat
A2: I think it's always been important to differentiate. We are just more aware of the importance of it now. Differentiation helps to build a relationship with each student, as it requires knowing your learners. #saskedchat
So important to know each student in the class. It can sometimes be hard but it is one of the foundations of supporting students in their learning. #saskedchat
A1: to me it means getting to know each student as a learner. What are their strengths, and how can those be leveraged? Where are their gaps, and how can we start filling those? Most importantly, it means really listening to what they are telling you #saskedchat
Popping in and out from bed tonight, #saskedchat! I'm a grade one teacher with @ArcolaDragons and sessional ELNG instructor with @URFacofEd. Happy Thursday to all!
A2 - I do think it is important but it wasn’t always something that was done - it has become something that is discussed and is an important part of planning as schools become more inclusive. #saskedchat
It isn’t totally up to you to do everything. You should never work harder than your students. Instead of planning for every little minute, allow the students to take the lead. They set goals, use their choices and you guide them. #saskedchat
A2: I guess it depends on how a teacher views the classroom. Is it the Ss room or the Ts room? We need to help kids to become career or college ready, and that includes helping them with their self esteem. Differentiation can go a long way in building that #saskedchat
Students are different - in their readiness levels, interests, cultural backgrounds, and learning preference, etc. Differentiate for Learning is a philosophy/ strategy that accommodates the differences in learner profile v @ed_rethink@LKiramba#saskedchat
I feel my take initially was "plan a lesson, then adapt it for student X." It's shifted to an approach that's harder to explain. Plan routines that all can access and challenge from there. #saskedchat
Oh it is not simple! It is just not as hard as I thought. Once I figured out how to let go a little bit and give my students lots of choice. I am overwhelmed sometimes with so many needs but I don’t need them to do the same thing and allow them more control. #saskedchat
That is a great insight - it becomes less a situation of more planning and more a situation of developing with the students as they need it. #saskedchat
I think that is so important - giving them more choice and letting go of control - let them show you what they know or maybe what they need. #saskedchat
Yes! That is so true. I like the way you put it-routines everyone can access. Students work within the routines all in their own way and rate. #saskedchat
A4: Definitely getting to know the learner. Allowing them some options helps them choose what works best for them, and helps you plan for differentiated learning in the future. As well as formative assessment, and building relationships. #saskedchat
Joining late and won’t be staying long as I’m on a bus to Calgary! Saw question #4 and had to join as I am learning this right now in my #ecs311 class at @URFacofEd#saskedchat
A4: I think it goes back to really knowing your Ss (really hearing them, using strong assessments, etc.) and knowing what has worked in the past. Of course if you are new to the course or the career, you HAVE to be willing to ask for help. #saskedchat
You have to let the child take the lead and get to know them well. I am constantly thinking about what each of my students needs and constantly changing direction. #saskedchat
A2. Today's classrooms are quite diverse with learners with different strengths and needs hence need for responsive strategies to enhance learning outcomes. ('As classrooms become more diverse, @UPEI rethinks the way it teaches' @UPEI_Educationhttps://t.co/KYqW71J5Kj#saskedchat
A4one of the methods I just learned in class was to do Mulitple intelligences with your Ss. This allows for ss to understand themselves&have confidence with their strengths. Many Ss lack positive self worth and this shows Ss strengths they may have not known otherwise #saskedchat
Trying to find time to talk to each of them individually, going out with them at recess, observing what they do when they have a choice. (The books they read for example.) Being approachable helps. I have found wearing my Ravenclaw scarf has kids coming up to talk Harry Potter.
A3 I like what @lawsonames said about accessible routines. The students work in their own way within the routine. Everyone reading a different book for example and working toward the end goal in their own way. #saskedchat
A5 Peoactively setting the classroom conversation around the language of how we all have goals and gifts (vs. language of levels and grades) needs to start on day 1. If we all have goals, it's all good! #saskedchat
A5: I never had the opportunity, but I always felt having the discussion about equity vs. equality early in the year, and as often as needed helps. #saskedchat
Certainly. Teachers do their best to ensure that all students benefit from the teaching-learning process. But there're times when a teacher cannot effectively meets a student's need (that's why, e.g., there're #SpecialEducation teachers; and sometimes, options for PD) #saskedchat
The one I used was from @edutopia which is a simple MI survey. In class @jmachnaik also took us through a metaphor of beachballs, clipboards, puppies and microscopes. Check out the photos #saskedchat
A6 Teaching isn't about cool stand- alone lessons (that look great on Twitter.) The real heart lies in your conversations and daily structures. Think about how all of your Ss can be successful within them first. (And get small groups rolling!) #saskedchat
I think it’s always good to be having those discussions right from the start - to have a team approach to teaching and being open to others ideas and supports. #saskedchat
In reply to
@bickd, @JamesAlanOLOO, @pattersonaubrey
A6: talk to your admin to see who they could be connected with as a mentor. Also, ask your admin for $$$ for professional reading. Most importantly, invite them to follow this PLN! #saskedchat
It is and it is a process one step at a time. I feel like I learn something new every day about one of my students. That is one of my favourite things about teaching-the constant challenge. #saskedchat
A6 - my advice is to work on building relationships with students, learning routines and habits. I agree with @lawsonames - it’s not about the Pinterest room but about the amazing relationships. #saskedchat
Great point @DannyStJacques because at its very core, education is about relationships. And when a student knows that the teacher values and cares about them, and their their strengths rather than weaknesses are enhanced, then learning becomes a fun process #saskedchat
A5. The Ss most often disgruntled are those who need enrichment and have found boredom. Thank heavens for for tech like coding and math programs like Prodigy Math .. saved my planning for many Ss who reach learning target mastery early! And helps encourage all Ss too #saskedchat
That is what Carol Tomlinson says, start with small steps and work towards doing more. Really work to make changes in the approach you take to working with students. #saskedchat
A7: Technology has opened up a lot of avenues to differentiate. There are programs for everything nowadays. (TTS, Mindfulness, Brain Breaks, etc.) It has made learning accessible to more learners than ever before. #saskedchat
I was just thinking about this today as I noticed a dyslexic student in our school completing an online student feedback survey (OurSchool). I chatted with her about the challenges she was faced with in completing the survey, she said it was tough. #saskedchat
There is no clear answer because some student needs (or what makes them different) are visible, while some are not. It would be a good idea to consider this at the beginning of the year so as to be as prepared as possible #saskedchat
In reply to
@bickd, @kellywchris, @pattersonaubrey
Using different apps like @PearDeck@nearpod@Flipgrid. These are three very interactive, student lead, hands on experiences for Ss that can be individualized, groupedor whole class lessons. Believe it or not, I believe implementing video games is another form of diff #saskedchat
So true - there are so many different ways to support learning from typing apps, to apps that help Ss track or read to others that allow them to demonstrate their learning is so many ways. #saskedchat
I agree - having conversations and working with the Support Teacher and the Librarian can really help as the year progresses. It helps to have others support. #saskedchat
In reply to
@JamesAlanOLOO, @bickd, @pattersonaubrey
A6 Build a strong base of instructional approaches from involving concretes often in math to engaging with Kagan in ELA, Science & Social. Know your Ss and plan tomorrow based on today’s formative data. If we reflect often, Ss will always let us know what they need #saskedchat
A7) when using tools like Google doc in gsuite, including multiple leveled complexity of hyperlinked websites for students to choose where to get their info from. #saskedchat
Nice photos! Got to say this. In 2012, as a PhD student at the @UREdGrad@URFacofEd, I worked with @jmachnaik as a TA. She is an amazing woman - passionate about her students, the teaching profession, and the @UofRegina. A beautiful soul she is! #saskedchat
In reply to
@ashleesandy, @bickd, @edutopia, @jmachnaik, @UREdGrad, @URFacofEd, @jmachnaik, @UofRegina
A9: I always struggled with time. 5 classes x 25+kids/class when I taught high school math. Not all Ss needed dif but there were a lot of needs which meant a lot of trial and error looking for that Cinderella zone. Biggest difficulty was feeling like I was failing #saskedchat
Thank you #saskedchat
I'm so sorry I missed the time chnage but I appreciate everyone's engagement tonight. I want to especially thank @kellywchris for filling in while I figured it out.
Thanks again for giving great ideas!
A9) when you have Ss working within grade 1-6 ability level in the same class. Create strong independent routines for learning after task is completed. Have student mentorship and partners. Keep smiling... #saskedchat
As a student in grade school, I liked it - a lot - whenever a teacher called me by name and spoke with me. I think many/all kids need that. For the teacher, its a process to get to really know your students in a large class. One little step at a time. A beautiful step #saskedchat
Always a challenge. Using frequent reading formatives in Running Records helps to see progress. Lots of extensions help read to students also ... just started Read Theory for daily/weekly comprehension practice too.
What a great question! Again, I'd being asking admin for support. Recently our SERT began exploring the potential Rosetta Stone holds for some of our ELL students. #saskedchat
