Tiering Learning

Tiering learning and assignments focuses on understanding the student's ability and providing a scaffolded approach to learning.

You can vary the content materials students use. Many education publishers provide tiered materials. You can also tier materials you provide - taking into consideration the reading and comprehension levels of the student. EX: For your low level readers and English Language Learners consider using short, simple sentences and vocabulary at their level.

Providing support at various levels can be as simple as giving the below grade level students materials that may have a start of the work filled in for them. Graphic organizers are a great example here.

A LOOK AT TIERING IN THE CLASSROOM
Second graders are studying Then and Now. The teacher works with the students using books that show then and now for transporation. A town historian works with the students to compare and contrast what transpotation was like historically, and how we travel today. The class is making a long list and there sits Chris, a student with autism, overwhelmed by all this information. Words that have no meaning to his life are being presented - he's never seen a subway, the list is way too much for Chris to handle. ENTER ... differentiation!

Let's meet Chris where he is in his understanding. Focus in on just ONE form of transportation. He loves trucks - so we'll start there. The teacher asks Chris to draw his favorite kinds of trucks. He draws some monster trucks. Great. Now he looks in the book and sees that "back then" people road in covered wagons. Right away he sees some similarities and differences and is able to talk about them.

How have you tiered a lesson?

What is Differentiation?

Differentiation is all about meeting student needs, engaging them in the learning process and providing a variety of approaches to learning that match their ability, learning preference or interests. It is important to understaning where they are at, and build on their prior understanding to improve their learning.

There are many strategies and aspects to consider when you begin to differentiate in the classroom. In this blog I hope to capture snippets of how differentiation looks in the classroom.