The Importance of Differentiation in Math
Differentiation is a process that teachers use to tailor and deliver instruction to students so that it meets their individual needs. When differentiating instruction, teachers acknowledge that students within a classroom learn at different paces and in different ways and maybe at very different levels when it comes to understanding skills and concepts. The goal of differentiation is to have all students be successful at acquiring skills, meeting standards, and developing deep mathematical concepts.
Examples of Differentiated Instruction in Math
Teachers can use a variety of strategies to differentiate instruction for students who are below-level, above-level, and learning English within the same classroom. Teachers need to ensure that students’ instructional and conceptual needs are being met while exposing them to skills and content at grade-level. A variety of tools and resources can be helpful in providing choices to teachers and students to make sure the various needs of all learners are being met within a classroom, whether students are below-level, on-level, or above level. Examples for each are provided in the sections below.
Differentiating for Below-Level Students
When below-level students receive undifferentiated grade-level instruction, they can experience frustration. But receiving lower-level instruction at a slower pace may prevent students from accessing the grade-level skills they need to succeed on-level and develop across the grades, continually setting them back in their academic careers! To meet these students’ needs, teachers can differentiate instruction and modify expectations of learning outcomes during whole-class instruction while providing targeted instruction to address deficits during small group instruction or intervention. Small group time can be used for more intensive targeted instruction for those students who need additional support or have skill gaps. During guided and independent practice time, support below-level students with a variety of representations of the concept being taught. Visual representation is important as well as classroom discourse and partner work. Be sure to fill the learning gaps with reteaching pre-request skills first if needed. Modeling with manipulatives is an excellent tool for all students to grasp a new concept.
Differentiating for English Language Learners
English language learners may benefit from some of the interventions for below-level students, but they also need specific support. Students whose primary language is not English may need modifications or additional instructional support in breaking down skills, contexts, or text and may need extra help with vocabulary. When possible, provide additional auditory support for English learners and/or additional context for vocabulary words and word problems.
Assessment and Differentiation in Math
Assessing is a critical tool to help teachers differentiate for students, allowing them to gather information about students’ learning progress and set the direction for future learning. Diagnostic assessments and customizable online assessments will help with goal setting for very targeted instruction and identify each students’ strengths and weaknesses, allowing teachers to formulate specific instructional plans. Utilize a combination of formative and summative assessments to continually gauge progress and differentiate and rely on the measures included in your mathematics programs to help you!
In Summary
Differentiating instruction is essential to support students in developing the skills they need to be successful mathematicians and problem solvers. Rely on assessment and these suggestions to differentiate instruction successfully for all the learners in your math classroom, whether below-level, above-level, or those learning English.
