DIFFERENTIATION

Meeting the Needs of All Students

INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS MAY REQUIRE SUPPORT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Auditory Kinesthetic Visual

AUDITORY SUPPORT

ELIMINATING AUDITORY DISTRACTIONS This idea works well for students who

are easily distracted. Try using noise-suppressing ear

protection. This will block out distracting sound that take them off task.

Available at most hardware stores.

VOCAL IMMERSION A helpful technique for students who

have attention problems and for those with difficulty distinguishing sounds.

When parallel reading, use an old stethoscope.

PHONICS PHONE Great for students who have difficulty

discriminating among different phonemes.

Immediate feedback assists the student in making the correct sound as spoken by the teacher or a mentor.

Make your own or buy ready-made.

LANGUAGE PIPELINE A great way to help English Language

Learners learn formal English. A version of the “Phonics Phone”. The teacher or mentor student speaks into

the funnel, and the ELL learns the correct pronunciation/enunciation.

Advantage – the ELL is immersed in the teacher or mentor student’s voice while any distracting classroom sounds are blocked out.

TALKING TUBE A way to facilitate student-to-student

support. Allows students to quietly work together

without disturbing their neighbors. A great tool for ELL students who need

the support of a nearby student interpreter.

KINESTHETIC

SUPPORT

WIKKI STIX These hands-on teaching tools made

from wax allow kinesthetic learners use manipulatives in their learning.

Students can form letters, numbers, and shapes with Wikki Stix.

Can be used in all subject areas.

MAGNETIC BINGO CHIPS A very unique math manipulative. Can be purchased as most discount or

party stores. Great for use on the overhead projector

or by individual students at their seats. Magnetic wands (anything that is metal)

keep cleanup time easy, efficient, and fun.

VISUALSUPPORT

HIGHLIGHTING TAPE This colored, transparent tape comes in

many different widths, including full sheets. It can be placed over print, and is reusable.

It helps students find and focus on skills and is an excellent alternative form of responding for students with fine-motor difficulties.

POST-IT NOTES A very versatile teaching tool that can

be used during writing, reading, math. Can be used as a focusing tool, to help

students respond to text, and for revising and editing writing.

Also allow the teacher to assess without permanently marking the paper.

MEET “SPOT” Small plastic ants or other insects are

highly motivational hands-on tools to help students focus on learning.

“Spot, the focused ant” “Spot, the word-finding ant” “Spot, the world traveler” Plastic insects can be found at most

party stores.

FOCUS FRAME Allows students to focus on one task at

a time – in both daily work and test-taking situations.

Help by sliding words, sentences, or problems into focus, eliminating other potentially distracting text or pictures from the student’s view.

Easy to make.

FINGER POINTER A means to communicate non-verbally

(and humorously) with the students. Handy for pointing to information on the

chalkboard, charts, and screens without blocking the students’ view.

Can be purchased or you can make your own.

SLIDING MASK This easy to make tool enables students

to focus on numbers, letters, and words. Blocks out the surrounding print. Assists with:

left-to-right flow breaking down of words

Easy to make.

CATCH THAT WORD A way to isolate words or details for

students who have difficulty focusing. Ideal for students with attention

problems. Easy to make.

Word

OVERHEAD TOOLS A means for the students to be

interactive while practicing skills and concepts.

Advantage - the teacher faces the students.

Can be purchased or teacher made. Look to the SMART Board too!

PAGE PROTECTORS These inexpensive tools enable students

to complete worksheets and learning-centre activities without pens and pencils.

They use rags, socks, or tissues to erase and clean up.

Colored page protectors add variety.

TIME TOOLS Help students with time orientation. Challenge students to “beat the clock” –

a great way to help students improve their work pace.

Sand timers, Teach Timer, SMART Board timers

ENLARGED PRINT Eliminates distraction – makes materials

more visually accessible for struggling learners.

Use the photocopier to enlarge the print.

Eliminate distracting designs and artwork.

Reading is fun!