Examples of ways to differentiate instruction
TeachersFirst's Thinking Teachers who write our resource reviews often have suggestions that have worked in their classrooms. Open the reviews to the "more" view to see ideas for using specific resources as tools to differentiate for a variety of learners. Alternatively, use the keyword search tool at the left of this page to search for a curriculum topic and the term "differentiate." For example, search fractions differentiate (with "all the words" selected for the search).
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MySciLife - The Source for Learning
Grades
6 to 9
tag(s): animals (322), critical thinking (119), descriptive writing (40), digital citizenship (64), plants (175), scientists (69), social media (26), STEM (187), volcanoes (68), writing (366)
In the Classroom
Join MySciLife to bring excitement and energy to your science classroom. As you complete activities in the platform, use a concept mapping site like MindMup, reviewed here to replace paper/pencil version of a concept map. Ask students to create and share infographics based on their research and sharing of ideas. Canva, < a href="/single.cfm?id=17570">reviewed here is an easy to use site for creating infographics using pre-made templates or from scratch. Take student learning to a whole new level and have them create a game-based learning activity for their peers using Symbaloo Learning Paths reviewed here. Symbaloo Learning Paths offers many options for creating differentiated learning using video, quizzes, and more.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Exam Elf - ZumFun Inc.
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): commoncore (89), test prep (97)
In the Classroom
Use Exam Elf to reinforce and practice math concepts to prepare for standardized testing. Create an account to differentiate math practice to meet varying student needs. Use the data provided in the teacher dashboard to guide math instruction.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Open Up Resources Math Curriculum - Open Up Resources
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): data (162), equations (152), exponents (43), factoring (30), factors (40), fractions (229), geometric shapes (173), measurement (178), percent (81), probability (141), pythagorean theorem (33), ratios (63), transformations (18), volume (53)
In the Classroom
Include this site to supplement your current grade 6-8 math curriculum. Use the resources to differentiate instruction for gifted students in lower grades or as remediation for struggling students in older grades. Be sure to take advantage of the family materials providing explanations of math content and strategies for problem-solving. Use the student materials for differentiating instruction or as homework. Have students share their math explanations and strategies with video explanations using a tool like FlipGrid, reviewed here. FlipGrid provides a tool for video responses to a question along with comments from peers. Take student learning a step further and ask them to create and share their own math problems along with suggestions for learning. Use a tool like Sway, reviewed here. Sway is a presentation tool that offers multimedia options including text, video, and images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Moonshot Learning - Moonshot Learning
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): commoncore (89), computers (101), ethics (19), financial literacy (91), genetics (88)
In the Classroom
Use Moonshot Learning case studies across the curriculum and to differentiate instruction based on student interest. Many of these case studies are perfect for extension activities and for use with Gifted students. After completing activities found on this site have students create a multimedia presentation using Genial.ly, reviewed here. Genial.ly allows you to add polls, audio, videos, embeds, web links, PowerPoint, PDfs, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Chat: Differentiating Instruction: Practical Ideas for Teachers - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): differentiation (45), twitterchatarchive (41)
In the Classroom
View this chat to learn more about differentiation and tools to help you engage and differentiate for the various levels and interests in your class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Data Analysis and Probability Resources - Grades 3-5 - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): charts and graphs (199), data (162), probability (141)
In the Classroom
Share the resources with students for additional practice, remediation, enrichment, or advancement. Display resources on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use these tools in your BYOD classroom to differentiate for math class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grade Spelling - SpellingClassroom
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): spelling (168), vocabulary (319)
In the Classroom
Discover the many ready-to-go, free resources on this site to find spelling lists and activities. This site makes it easy to differentiate instruction and personalize lists for students based on ability. If your students are struggling, begin with an easier list to build confidence. If your students aren't being challenged enough, try lists above grade level to build spelling skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Answerables - Nexed
Grades
K to 8tag(s): classroom management (155), game based learning (137)
In the Classroom
All subject area teachers can benefit from making Answerables your digital library available from anywhere and anytime for you and your students. Store and organize links to websites, videos, and more for your students. Use PODS on this site to differentiate learning for students. Share student's digital work in this secure environment with parents and peers.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Requires download/installation of software
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OneHistory - Hilary Mac Austin and Kathleen Thompson
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1800s (50), 1900s (38), african american (108), biographies (92), cross cultural understanding (124), essays (20), great depression (27), primary sources (93), speeches (19)
In the Classroom
Bookmark OneHistory as a resource for primary sources when teaching American History and as an excellent tool for finding information featuring diversity throughout the years. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread, reviewed here, to tell the story of a moment in history. Voicethread allows you to add narration to a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Take advantage of the high interest, low readability level stories on the site to differentiate for the variety of reading levels in your classroom and to include informational (nonfiction) reading standards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachersFirst's Math Resources for Algebra - Grade 6-8 - TeachersFirst
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): data (162), number lines (32), order of operations (40), percent (81), pi (28)
In the Classroom
Introduce these resources on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Share the resources on your class website for students to use for remediation or review. Share tools on your interactive whiteboard or in your BYOD classroom. Use these sites to differentiate for students in pre-algebra and algebra.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math Resources for Algebra - Grades 9-12 - TeachersFirst
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): data (162), number lines (32), percent (81), pi (28), quadratics (31), ratios (63)
In the Classroom
Share these resources on your class website for students to use for remediation or review. Share tools on your interactive whiteboard or in your BYOD classroom. Use these sites to differentiate.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math Resources for Numbers & Operations - Grades 3-5 - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): decimals (124), division (160), fractions (229), multiplication (211), operations (122), order of operations (40)
In the Classroom
Share these resources on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use these tools in your BYOD classroom to differentiate for math class. Share the resources with students for additional practice, remediation, enrichment, or advancement.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 (17), Special Needs (33), summarizing (16)
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 ELA 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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OpenStax - Rice University
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): advanced placement (25), book lists (131), ebooks (41), STEM (187)
In the Classroom
Use OpenStax textbooks to dig deeper into core subjects such as math, science, and social studies. Use materials to differentiate instruction based on student abilities and interests. If your current textbooks are older, find newer books on OpenStax and adopt them for your curriculum. Take advantage of the search feature of online books to find supplemental material for your current instruction. Find teaching materials for gifted students using OpenStax textbooks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OpenEd - OpenEd
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (116), classroom management (155), multimedia (62), slides (68), video (279)
In the Classroom
With 90% of the million resources free, you're sure to find something you need to supplement current curriculum materials. This site could also be used as a learning center or station during any unit or for review. Use activities from this site to differentiate learning within your classroom. Try flipping class and assign videos, slides or lessons to be completed at home and have a discussion (or question and answer session) about them the next day in class. Include this site on the class website for parents to find at-home math, language arts, science projects, and materials for review. Be sure to share with other teachers on campus.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Lowdown - KQED News
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): commoncore (89), journalism (54), multimedia (62), news (260), newspapers (98)
In the Classroom
Achieve two goals with this very people-friendly site: provide quality non-fiction reading materials and the latest in current events. Use this site to differentiate reading materials by student interest. Encourage students to explore the site on their own. Be sure to include a link on classroom computers and your class website for students to access at any time. Flip your class and assign the reading to do at home. Then, have students create a simple infographic sharing findings from The Lowdown with their classmates using Piktochart, reviewed here. Have cooperative learning groups create weekly podcasts with news from around the world. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Friend - Anne Elizabeth Eaves
Grades
K to 3This site includes advertising.
tag(s): literacy (106), poetry (221), preK (286), reading lists (81), songs (53)
In the Classroom
Use Reading Friend to find and differentiate literacy activities for students. Share links to books and activities on classroom computers for student use as centers. Include a link to activities on your class web page for use at home. Many of the stories and poems will help resource and ELL/ESL students who need to hear word families, phonetics, and such.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Game-Based Learning Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): coding (66), differentiation (45), game based learning (137), gamification (88), logic (248)
In the Classroom
Share these tools on your class website or blog for students to use both in and out of the classroom. Use these tools to differentiate and reach all students at the various levels. Challenge your students to create their own games for review of content or acceleration options.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google CS First - Google
Grades
5 to 9tag(s): animation (64), coding (66), critical thinking (119), digital storytelling (153), gamification (88), musical notation (39), problem solving (297), social media (26), sports (100), stories and storytelling (32)
In the Classroom
Create a club in your classroom as part of your STEM activities, as a lunch/recess club, or an at-home activity for students. Use the flyers and presentation materials provided to create interest in the club. Differentiate clubs by student interests and abilities. Share Google CS First with your school's media or tech leader as an excellent resource for teaching coding. This site is perfect for those who want to learn more about coding, but have some hesitancy since all materials from creating a group through the lessons are free. If you still have some doubts, enlist the services of a tech-savvy high school student to help with activities as part of their volunteering requirements.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wordie - ABCD English
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): vocabulary (319), vocabulary development (122)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a useful tool for teaching vocabulary from any text. Copy portions of literature into Wordie to identify and create vocabulary lists for students. Differentiate for student abilities based on reading levels. Use Wordie to develop student writing skills. Ask them to copy their writing into Wordie and run the analysis at a reading level you prefer. If there isn't enough new vocabulary words, challenge students to rewrite in a way that reaches a higher reading level. Use Wordie with ESL/ELL learners to point out difficult vocabulary in reading passages before reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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