Classroom Strategies

5 Strategies for differentiated instruction in the primary classroom

What is differentiated instruction?

Differentiated instruction is a teaching framework that involves meeting the needs of every student.  Every student is different and every student has different needs they need to be met in the classroom. Differentiated instruction provides students with different avenues of learning with the goal of supporting all learners in the classroom.  There are many types of teaching strategies that can help you achieve the differentiation your students need.

How do I differentiate instruction in the primary classroom?

In the primary classroom, we see many different learning styles, which can provide a challenge when determining how to differentiate. In my kindergarten classroom, my students’ skills differ dramatically. I have students reading at a level AA and students reading at a level N. The ability to meet every student’s needs is not an easy task, but it can be done. Here are some tips for differentiating instruction in the primary classroom.

  • Grouping.

Grouping students is an easy way to differentiate instruction.  Use observations, assessments, and other data to determine which groups to create for your students.  Pinpoint where their skills are and where they have areas of growth.  Groups can be rearranged and changed throughout the year depending on student needs.

  • Stimulate the senses.

Incorporate all learning styles in your lessons; visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic.  Lessons that engage all modalities will be more effective and worthwhile. Your classroom is full of each one of these learning styles and your students will be more engaged when their needs are met.

  • Learning Centers.

Using centers in your classroom can help you meet the needs of all of your students.  By making a few adjustments at each center, you can help reach those students who need an extra challenge or need help meeting grade level expectations.  As a teacher, you can present the information in a variety of different ways.

  • Give students choice.

Giving students the opportunity to choose their assignment or the topic of an assignment can be a great motivator and give students the chance to demonstrate their strengths and areas of growth.

  • Use sentence frames.

I love sentence frames.  I’ve used them in every grade I’ve taught.  In the primary grades, they are extremely valuable.  Sentence frames can help support student discussions and ideas, help students use academic vocabulary and give those students who need extra support, a way to access the task.  Sentence frames are also a great way to organize thoughts and ideas.

Differentiating instruction is not an easy task.  It takes time and effort on the teacher’s part, but when done correctly, differentiated instruction can provide invaluable learning for all students.  What differentiation strategies do you use in your classroom?

For more strategies in the classroom, check out, 5 Strategies for increasing family engagement.

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