TeachersFirst's Differentiation Resources for the Inclusive Elementary Learning Environments
The resources in this collection are ideal for differentiating in the K-8 classroom. Find tools to use for content, process, and product. Each review includes classroom use ideas, grade level suggestions, and more tips to consider.
For even more resources, see all of our resources tagged differentiation.
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Literacy Chops - Literacy Geeks, Inc.
Grades
3 to 10tag(s): literacy (112), reading comprehension (144)
In the Classroom
Assign individualized reading passages to each student, followed by comprehension quizzes. Have students use their written assignments from Literacy Chops and engage in a peer review session. Introduce weekly writing prompts that align with the writing practice offered by Literacy Chops.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Curipod - Curipod AS
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (141), assessment (148), blended learning (37), differentiation (88), Online Learning (42), remote learning (56), slides (42), social and emotional learning (96), Teacher Utilities (158), teaching strategies (42)
In the Classroom
Use Curipod as a starting point for creating lessons and student activities, then modify the content to fit your curriculum and students' abilities and needs. The Brain Break activities are an excellent starting point for using Curipod in your classroom. Select an activity from the Brain Break options, then choose a grade level and follow the prompts to share a short mental break with your students. Copy and paste standards when creating a lesson as a starting point to add content for the lesson. When using any AI technology, verify the information provided is accurate before sharing it with students. Use Curripod as a flipped or blended learning activity, share the join code with students, and ask them to complete the activities within a designated period before reviewing together as a class. Easily modify any template to differentiate instruction for different groups of students. For example, when introducing decimals, provide a basic introduction with vocabulary and instructional content to one group of students but add more challenging content, such as adding decimals for students already familiar with this topic. Coordinate with other teachers to create cross-curricular activities or when planning units together.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Choice Boards for Differentiation Pt. 2 - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Take your choice...more
Take your choice boards to the next level! Regular choice boards allow your students to complete equally active, interesting, and engaging assignments that demonstrate their comprehension of the presented material--but not all students learn at the same pace or have the same background knowledge coming into a lesson. In this session, you'll learn to differentiate your choice boards by process, product, or content to support students as necessary. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basics of Tomlinson's differentiation model; 2. Learn to differentiate choice boards for both instructional and assessment purposes; and 3. Use a template to create a differentiated choice board. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): differentiation (88), personalized learning (9), playlists (10), professional development (407)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: MIE Day: Branching Forms for Differentiation - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Just as everyone has...more
Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, every student has an individual learning path. Chances are your students grasp subjects differently and have varying levels of ability--so how can you better deliver instruction to reach everyone in class? Branching forms allow teachers to differentiate assessments and account for differences in pacing and outcomes. Join us to learn how to use Microsoft Forms to apply this strategy in your lessons. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn how Microsoft Forms can support differentiation; 2. Understand how to plan for a branching form; and 3. Learn multiple uses for branching forms. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): differentiation (88), Microsoft (80), professional development (407)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SchoolStack - Sarah Schwartz and Hal Schwartz
Grades
K to 12tag(s): differentiation (88), personalized learning (9), playlists (10), remote learning (56), Teacher Utilities (158)
In the Classroom
Use SchoolStack to differentiate learning for different student needs and abilities by quickly modifying lesson activities to share with individual students or groups. Replace your current homework activities using SchoolStack to provide students with various options for completing learning activities. Offer activities that meet student interests and learning styles within each stack to encourage student interest and participation. When teaching blended learning or remote learning activities, use SchoolStack to share information with students and gather data and feedback from their participation in the lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Chat: Differentiation with Forms - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): differentiation (88), twitterchatarchive (175)
In the Classroom
Find resources and information about differentiation with forms. Share this chat with your colleagues looking for tools and resources on differentiation with forms.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boddle Learning - Boddle Learning Inc
Grades
K to 6tag(s): differentiation (88), Learning Management Systems (20), Online Learning (42), Teacher Utilities (158)
In the Classroom
Use Boddle to differentiate math instruction for your students. Include a link to Boddle on classroom computers for use during math centers, and provide a link on your classroom website for your blended classroom or for students to play at home. Share with parents to create individual accounts for use at home. Include Boddle with other online math programs using a bookmarking tool such as Symbaloo, reviewed here, for easy access by students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Write and Improve - Cambridge English
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): creative writing (121), descriptive writing (40), differentiation (88), letter writing (19), persuasive writing (56), process writing (38), writers workshop (31), writing (319)
In the Classroom
Feedback on this site is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scale, learn more about it here. Include this site with your other resources for practicing and teaching writing as you challenge students to improve feedback scores. Take advantage of the different levels to differentiate practice for all students. Ask students to analyze their writing before hitting the feedback button as a self-reflection tool. As students improve writing, use a digital portfolio tool like Seesaw, reviewed here, and upload all revisions. Also, use Seesaw for students to share their thoughts on their writing and individual progress.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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For the Teachers - For the Teachers
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): characterization (16), charts and graphs (170), constitution (88), differentiation (88), graphic organizers (50), inferencing (7), mean (19), measurement (124), median (16), mode (13), multiplication (121), patterns (62), place value (34), plot (10), reading comprehension (144), rubrics (35), sequencing (17)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark this site to save as a favorite to find lesson ideas and activities throughout the school year. When planning for a substitute, look through the site to find useful ideas for lessons and planning organizers. There is so much material here to use, consider exploring the site with peers using techniques similar to a book study. Divide the site into sections to discuss at different times of your study. Organize your favorite materials from this site and your other resources using Padlet, reviewed here. Share your Padlet with peers to collaborate and create a useful time for organizing and sharing your favorite teaching materials. Supplement information included on report cards by using a site like Seesaw, reviewed here, to create portfolios for your students to demonstrate progress in reading, math, and other content areas. Include student-created projects based on activities found on For the Teachers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Microsoft Bing - FUN - Microsoft
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): logic (163), Microsoft (80), problem solving (225), puzzles (142), trivia (19)
In the Classroom
Include Bing Fun as a link on your classroom computers and share the link on your class webpage. Have students try their skill on Sudoku and other logic puzzles to increase problem solving skills. Use the current news questions as a starting point for discussions in social studies classes. Ask students to choose one of the questions as a starting point for digging deeper into the topic. Have students share weekly podcasts discussing current topics and background information. Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here, provides free podcasting tools.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Immersive Reader - Microsoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): adhd (28), differentiation (88), disabilities (31), dyslexia (11), Microsoft (80), multilingual (69), reading comprehension (144), Special Needs (56), text to speech (21)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many features included with Immersive Reader for any classroom use. You may need to discuss downloading this product with your school's IT department; however, it is well worth the effort. This product is especially helpful for ENL/ESL students and students needing additional help with reading. Use the language options for students to hear and view text in their native language. Use Immersive Reader to help students with Dyslexia or ADHD to decode and focus on the text by using the options included. Upload classroom materials for students to use for help in understanding difficult text.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bing Images - Microsoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): clip art (11), creative commons (28), images (260), Microsoft (80), photography (118)
In the Classroom
Bookmark Bing images to use when searching for images to use in newsletters, your class website, research projects, and more. Choose an interesting image from one of Bing's categories to use for writing prompts. Then, extend students' learning by asking them to create a simple one-page website using a free webpage maker like Carrd, reviewed here, to share their creative writing projects. Create a Microsoft account and log in to save images. Add your saved images to collections to organize and share content with others. Use images to create animated videos using a video tool like Typito, reviewed here. Typito offers drag and drop features for uploading your images and video, text, music, and templates.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Microsoft Translator for Education - Microsoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): chinese (44), DAT device agnostic tool (147), french (75), german (48), greek (32), hebrew (16), italian (28), japanese (47), Microsoft (80), russian (24), spanish (106)
In the Classroom
Use Translator to greet "other language" speaking students and make them feel welcome in your classroom; encourage conversations between them and your class. Take advantage of Translator to widen your classroom's global viewpoint by sharing conversations with others around the world. Use this site in world language classrooms to have students copy their text to convert into the language being studied (or the reverse). Enhance student learning by having students create presentations about other countries in the native language of the nation using a presentation tool like Canva, reviewed here. Modify your technology presentations to include multimedia. Use a tool such as Genially, reviewed here, to incorporate multimedia like maps, surveys, video, audio, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Speechnotes - Speechlogger & TTSReader
Grades
K to 12tag(s): communication (138), multilingual (69), speech (68), writing (319)
In the Classroom
Speechnotes is a very versatile tool, for students, parents, and teachers alike. Bypass poor typing skills, dysgraphia, dyslexia, and physical disabilities. Use this tool to create emails, documents, or anything requiring typed text. Use in your writing class so students can get their thoughts into text without having to also think about typing. Be sure they edit their work. Use when you are in a hurry with emails requiring long text. Use for your newsletters or family emails. Share this on your class website and at Back to School Night. Emerging literacy students will enjoy the success they have with their oral language into written word. Improve content and forget about mechanics of writing or typing. Focus in on grammar and mechanics after seeing the recognized mistakes. Include this website on every toolbar and as a favorite on your class web page. ENL/ESL students can speak English, play it back, and correct it until it "sounds right" and expresses their ideas correctly.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SMMRY - smmry.com
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): learning disability (22), Special Needs (56), summarizing (22)
In the Classroom
Introduce SMMRY to students working on research projects as a way to quickly determine content and viability of using websites. Use to differentiate instruction with students. Use with learning support students as a resource to make content easier to understand (and shorter to read). Use SMMRY summaries when teaching how to summarize in an ENL class. Compare the summary you create as a class or in small groups with the "automated" one. Are there subtleties or important distinctions that this tool misses? As a challenge for your more critical thinkers, have them try to figure out what signals the tool uses to create its summary.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Epic! For Educators - Suren Markosian and Kevin Donahue
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (122), DAT device agnostic tool (147), ebooks (39), movies (53), reading lists (76), video (260)
In the Classroom
Create your free educator account and share with students as part of your reading activities. Adjust reading preferences and profiles as students increase skills or change interest in reading materials. Be sure to share with parents to use at home. What a wonderful, engaging way to keep students accountable for reading at home and for remote learning.Comments
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CommonLit - CommonLit
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): critical thinking (112), differentiation (88), literature (217), reading comprehension (144), spanish (106), substitutes (26), Teacher Utilities (158), themes (10)
In the Classroom
CommonLit is an excellent resource for literature teachers, speech and debate teachers, and history teachers. Share the site with students on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and ask the class what themes they would like to investigate. Under each theme are two questions. Divide the class into small groups with each group investigating one of the questions for one of the themes and reading the accompanying text. Differentiate for students by having students read on the same theme, but at their reading level. Challenge individuals, pairs, or small groups to create a graphic organizer for the story they read replacing paper and pencil and using a tool like Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers, reviewed here. You could take this to another level and have two groups read different selections on the same theme, use a graphic organizer to make comparisons for how the theme was presented, and then enhance learning by challenging the groups to present their findings to the class via video. Use a simple video creator like Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here. This site would also work when you have to make substitute plans unexpectedly. Just put the link in your plans and tell the sub what theme you want students to read about, or better yet, let the sub choose!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sway - Microsoft
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): communication (138), digital storytelling (152), Microsoft (80), multimedia (45), slides (42), visualizations (12)
In the Classroom
Use Sway as an alternative to Prezi or PowerPoint presentations. Sway is perfect for use in your BYOD or 1:1 classroom. Use during your presentations to increase student engagement and interaction. Check understanding of your ENL/ESL students by having them respond or pose questions throughout the presentation. Enhance student learning and understanding by sharing with students for them to use during their own presentations, inviting other students to comment and answer questions. During Open House night with parents, demonstrate how Sway provides interaction. Use Sway during professional development presentations to invite discussions from colleagues.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Canva for Education - Canva.com
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), graphic design (49), images (260), posters (43), slides (42)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for enhancing, modifying, or transforming classroom technology in the classroom depending on the requirements of the assignments. Create a slideshow, invitations, or photo collages for any classroom presentation. Share what you created on your website or blog for students to review or for students who were absent. Deliver blended or flipped lessons using Canva Edu by adding links to videos, assessment information, and other learning activities. In the younger grades, teachers would be the ones creating the project. However, older students could easily create their own Canva presentations. Have students use this online tool as they would any presentation tool or image enhancing site. Use this site for research projects about famous people from the past and present. Have cooperative learning groups create presentations about science or math topics. Have students create presentations to "introduce" themselves to the class during the first week of school. Link or embed the introduction presentations on your class wiki or website and have others guess who they are. Use this tool with your 1:1 art class for students to practice design principles and techniques. Create 2 to 5 circle Venn Diagrams. Share student projects with parents and others via URL. Be sure to demonstrate HOW to use this tool on your interactive whiteboard or projector.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Duolingo - Duolingo
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): arabic (13), chinese (44), DAT device agnostic tool (147), french (75), game based learning (181), german (48), hebrew (16), italian (28), japanese (47), multilingual (69), OER (43), Online Learning (42), portuguese (22), russian (24), spanish (106)
In the Classroom
Use Duolingo in your world language classes as another form of practice and enrichment. Have students sign up to compete against each other in a fun game of language mastery. Have world language students use the immersion tool to help read and translate authentic text. For an ENL/ELL classroom, provide extra, specific practice in beginning English. ENL/ELL students can also use the immersion section to check their own written documents and connect with other ENL/ELL students. Offer this site as a supplement when you study cultures from around the world. Gifted students are sure to enjoy the challenge of learning some language phrases. Is your class remote learning? Duolingo has a guide just for that! Scroll down the home page and find Duolingo for Schools, then click Bring Duolingo to Your Classroom. Find the Guide for using Duolingo at home at the top right of the page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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