How to Include Differentiated Instruction in Your Lesson Plans

What is Differentiated Instruction?

Differentiated instruction is when you, the teacher, include a number of different strategies and lesson activities to accommodate the various types of learner in your classroom. Differentiated Instructions ensures that learners at all levels with various learning styles can select an activity that is suitable for them so that learning will take place.

I know that differentiated instruction can seem overwhelming to you but here are some simple ways you can include it in your lesson plans.

Ways in which Differentiated Instructions can be included in your Lesson Plans

Lesson Objectives

Differentiated instruction is oftentimes present in our lesson plans; however, the lesson objectives themselves do not reflect the differentiated instruction activities. Therefore, it is important to write lesson objectives that reflect the differentiated instruction that is present in your lesson plan.

Here are a few samples of lesson objectives that reflect differentiated instruction:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• Listen an audio of story and answer tiered questions
• Draw characters based on the description presented in the audio presentation
•  Create a character sketch based on the visualization of one of character from the audio.
• Distinguish between .........in peer groups
• Create a poster based on ---------

NB: The objectives should be structured in such a way that it shows that students are given various opportunities to work at their level as well as the various learning styles are catered to.


Methodology

In your list of lesson methodology you can include if you are using:

• Random Grouping
• Questioning
• Tiered Assignment
• Engineering and Design Process

Content

Under content include the various variations to the content that you will share with the students. This can be divided into various tiers.

Developmental Activity

In the developmental activity you will include an outline of the differentiated instruction that you will employ when teaching the lesson. Below is an example of this

"In class the teacher will present the content in a variety of ways to appeal to students from the various types of intelligence.

The teacher will meet with students who are struggling with the content or doing the class work. This will be done after the class work is given.

The teacher will include a tiered activity for home work. This will allow students with  mixed ability and interests to choose the activity they are interested in doing"


Culminating Activity

Students will be given tiered assignments so that they can choose the activity that they are able to complete.

Examples of Differentiated Learning Culminating Activities

• Random Grouping
• Tiered Activity Sheets (Menu Activities or Tic Tac Toe Worksheets)

HOW TO GET STARTED DIFFERENTIATING

1. Start Small - Try one subject, one class, or one strategy.

2. Start Where You Are – Do you already use student groupings? Do you already vary work assignments?

3. Tell Students – That they will be embarking on a new and exciting way of learning and discuss the expected behaviour, so they know what’s going on.

4. Rearrange classroom – adjust the classroom to make it conducive for pairing, grouping, and direct instruction.

5. Post Routines – So students understand when and how to move around the room.

6. Keep Parents Informed – Of the new instructional methodology, explain how they can participate, and how they will be informed of their child’s progress. 

Questions based on 'DREAMING BLACK BOY'.

1. The theme of the poem is:
(a) The boy’s dreams of a better life
(b) The boy’s need for recognition
(c) An uncaring society

2. What do the following expressions in Stanza one suggest?
“wouldn’t go pass me today”
“to hug me when I kick a goal.18

3. How does the boy differ from his ancestors?

4. For what does the boy wish in Stanza two?

5. Find the expressions which show that the boy needs freedom and opportunities to
grow.

6. What does the expression “spend me out opposing” suggest about the boy.

7. What does the boy wish for persons who break the law?

8. Quote the expressions in the last Stanza which show the suffering of the boy.

South –Kamau Brathwaite

SUMMARY

source

The persona speaks about the fact that today he is recapturing the beauty of the island of his birth. He reflects on the fact that he has travelled to the lands of the north, which appeared to be the very opposite of his island. The persona appeared, at that point, to be homesick for his island and resented the ease and comfort that the Northerners' felt towards their land. He then shifts back to the present where he appreciates certain features of the island, particularly those that remind him of his past on the island.

LITERARY DEVICES

1. ALLITERATION
•Stanza 1, lines 1-2: The sound that the alliteration illicits, when spoken, is a positive one. This is the case because the alliteration forces the reader to sound cheerful, thereby facilitating the interpretation that the persona is happy to be home.

•Stanza 1, lines 4-5: This alliteration, again, draws the reader through the sound that it illicits. One can almost hear the sound that the sea makes through the repetition of the 's' sound. It emphasizes the joy that the persona feels to be home.   

•Stanza 2, lines 13-14: This alliteration, when spoken, is staccato. It literally emphasizes the persona's discomfort, and dislike, of the new context that he is faced with. It is alien to him, as seen when contrasted with the scene that he describes in the first stanza.

•Stanza 4, line 33: This device gives the reader a visual image of the scene. It is simple image that highlights the persona's excitement at being home and seeing scenes, even seemingly inconsequential ones, that he knows and loves.   

•Stanza 5, line 43: This alliteration gives the reader a visual of what the persona sees as pleasant and calming, as opposed to the alliteration in stanza 2. The sound that the alliteration illicits is a calm one, implying that the persona is at peace.

2.PERSONIFICATION
•Stanza 1, lines 6-7: This device gives a beautiful impression of the effect that the island had on the persona. He felt whole when he was there, at peace.

•Stanza 2, lines 16-17: The shadows, in this context, represents his past life and experiences on the island. The memories of his island illicits feelings of sadness, even homesickness. These memories cast an oppressive shadow over his life in the north.  

3.SIMILE
The persona compares the flowing of the rivers, which represents the north, to his longing for his island home. This comparison indicates that his longing is an intense one, he is homesick.

IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES
4.'recapture' 
The word capture means to take possession of something or someone. Therefore, when the persona says that he is recapturing his island, it implies that he is taking back possession of what he once owned.

5.'Since then I have travelled' 
This line indicates that the persona did not  remain on the island of his birth.

6.'sojourned in stoniest cities' 
This highlights a contrast between the persona's island and the cities that he visited. His island has beaches and oceans, while the cities that he visited were concrete jungles made of stone.

7.'We who are born of the ocean can never seek solace in rivers'
The persona refers to the north, and its populace, as rivers, while the south, and his island, is the ocean. This line highlights the persona's discontent in the north.

8.'reproves us our lack of endeavour and purpose' 
Reprove is to reprimand. Therefore, the line is saying that the flowing river, the north, reprimands the ocean, the south, for its lack of effort and resolve. This implies that the persona might be homesick and, therefore, not functioning at full capacity in the new northern environment. 

9.'proves that our striving will founder on that.' 
The term founder literally means the owner or operator of a foundry. This has little to do with the context of the poem, therefore, it can be assumed that poetic license was utilized at this point. Contextually, the line can be interpreted as meaning that the persona's subsequent striving, or efforts, will be founded on the reprimand made by the river, or the north. 

10.'there' 
The emphasis placed on this word, through the use of italics, highlights the fact that the persona is both happy and excited to be home.

11.'and look!' 
The exclamation mark emphasizes the persona's enthusiasm, and excitement, when he identifies a scene that is reminiscent of his past. 

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE
The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona is thinking about his island home, as well as places that he has visited in the north.

TONE
The tone of the poem goes from being reflective, to being elated.

THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION
Patriotism, places, desires and dreams

Test Match Sabina Park by Stewart Brown

SUMMARY
The persona, a white male, proudly enters Sabina Park to watch a cricket match between England and the West Indies. The persona notices that the game is slow and that the crowd is not reacting well. He is, in fact, initially shocked that there is a crowd at all because this is usually not the case at Lords. By lunch, England is sixty eight for none, and the crowd gets abusive. They even state that maybe they should borrow Lawrence Rowe. The persona tries to explain the reason behind the slow pace of the British side, but fails to convince even himself. His embarrassment at England's performance has him eventually skulking out of the venue.

LITERARY DEVICES

1. RHETORICAL QUESTION
Stanza 2, lines 6-7: This question reveals that, despite the fact that cricket is a popular sport in England, the venues for the matches are not crowded. This question could also point to the fact that Sabina Park was very crowded.

Stanza 3, line 10: This question represents the general frustration of the West Indians in the crowd. They are annoyed that the cricket match is progressing so slowly.
Stanza 4, lines 16-18: These questions imply that the West Indian crowd's level of frustration has escalated. 

2. ALLUSION-The allusion to Lawrence Rowe, a very colourful and successful West Indian cricketer, emphasizes the fact that the match is slow and boring. 

3. SARCASM-  To 'boycott' is to abstain from, or to stop, doing something. Therefore, the persona is being sarcastic because excitement is a good thing. People usually boycott for something negative, therefore the persona is, again, highlighting the slow and boring pace of the cricket match.

IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES

4.'rosette of my skin' 
Rosette implies a reddish colour, or tint, to the skin, that sometimes resembles a rose. This description immediately identifies the race of the persona as caucasian. The persona is proud of his race, as he enters Sabina Park.

5.'strut
'This word means to walk proudly. It emphasizes the fact that the persona is proudly walking into Sabina Park.

6.'something badly amiss'  
The persona is jolted by the fact that the match is going slowly. The word 'amiss' implies wrong, the game should not be going so slowly.

7.'vociferous partisans'
Vociferous means to be very noisy and clamorous, while patisan is a person who shows biased, emotional allegiance. Therefore, the West Indian crowd was extremely noisy in their support of their team. They were also very unappreciative of the slow pace of the match.

8.'England sixty eight for none at lunch'
While this is a good score, it never-the-less highlights the slowness of the match, hence the fact that the experience, for the crowd, was far from exciting.

9.'the wicket slow'
The purpose of the wicket is to 'out' the opposing side. Therefore, no 'outing' is occurring, the wickets are standing. Everything about the match is going slowly.  

10.'sticky wickets'
This implies a sticky, or awkward situation. It highlights England's situation. 

11.'loud 'busin'
The English team was being loudly abused.

12.'skulking behind a tarnished rosette'
Skulking implies hiding in shame, and tarnished means tainted. Therefore, the proud Englishman is now embarrassed, and the rosette of his skin is making him stand out. Initially this was a very good thing, but now it is a disadvantage.  

13.'blushing nationality'. 
At this point, the Englishman admits to being embarrassed for his team, as well as himself.

*There is a distinct CONTRAST between the beginning of the poem when the persona is proud, and 'struts'. However, by the end of the poem, he is embarrassed and 'skulking'

VOICES
There are two distinct voices in this poem. The English man's and the West Indian's.

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE 
The mood of the poem is tense.

TONE
The tone of the poem is one of frustration (West Indian) and embarrassment (English man). 

THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION
Discrimination, places, culture and sports