MODULE 5: DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION TO MEET THE NEEDS

OF STUDENTS WITH ASD IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM

Module Overview

Defining differentiated instruction Framework for differentiating instruction Differentiating content Differentiating process Differentiating product

Defining Differentiated Instruction

Differentiated instruction is an approach to teaching a diverse group of students that meets the unique needs of each learner within the group

The rationale for differentiating instruction is that all students benefit from a variety of instructional methods and supports (Lawrence-Brown, 2004)

Differentiating Instruction(Tomlinson, 1999)

Differentiate Across…

Content

Process

Product

To address…

Readiness Level

Interests

Learning Profile

Definitions

Content: What students are learning Process: How students are learning Product: How students demonstrate what they

learned Readiness Level: The level of learning that is

developmentally appropriate for the student Interests: What the students like Learning Profile: Understanding the different

ways students learn best (learning styles)

Differentiating Content

There are a variety of ways to differentiate what students learn to address their readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles

The table on the next slide shows some examples

Differentiating ContentReadiness Level Interests Learning Profile

Identifying the “Big Ideas” Embed the students’ special interests when learning new content

Select content that students can learn visually if they difficulties with understanding oral presentations

Embed instruction related to IEP goals

Allow students to make choices when learning content (choice boards, task cards with different options, cubes they can roll with different options)

Integrate content across curriculum areas and the fine arts to access the students’ strengths

Use curriculum compacting

Allow students to select topics of study

Alter the pacing of the delivery of content

Provide note-taking organizers, highlighted print materials, digests of key ideas

Provide tiered lessons

Identifying the “Big Ideas”

Identifying the “big ideas” entails pinpointing what you want all the students to learn. You then provide opportunities for students to learn additional information based on their readiness levels.

For example, if you are teaching a geometry lesson on area and perimeter in third grade, your “big ideas” may be: All students will measure the length of the sides of a rectangle/square All students will add up the sides of a rectangle/square All students will indicate that adding up the sides of a

rectangle/square is called finding the perimeterIn this example some students may also: Identify the area of a rectangle Measure items in the classroom to determine the area and perimeter

of the itemsA few students may also learn to: Create a floor plan of their bedroom and figure out the area and

perimeter of their room Figure out how much carpet they will need to cover the floor in their

room and determine how much it will cost based on a flyer with prices

Embed Instruction Related to IEP Goals

As often as possible, try to embed instruction related to the students’ IEP goals into instructional lessons and activities.

For example, while the content for the class as a whole may be related to learning the phases of matter, a student with ASD may also be working on communication or social interaction skills during those lessons as well by: Handing out materials to groups of students Asking for materials from a peer Sharing materials with others Asking for help from a peer or teacher Responding to comments and questions from a peer Responding to comments and questions from the teacher

Curriculum Compacting

When compacting curriculum, you streamline the curriculum to allow students to move at a quicker pace and then have time to pursue an alternate topic or go into greater depth in an area of study.

This is for students who may get bored engaging in lessons in which they already know the material.

For example, if a student with ASD already knows all of the addition facts, but the majority of the class does not, you can provide a quick probe so the student can demonstrate mastery and then work with the student on learning how to add two digit numbers while the other students are working on basic facts.

Tiered Lessons

Providing tiered lessons means that you provide different activities for students to learn the designated content based on the readiness levels of your students.

For example, if you are teaching the concept of discrimination you may have three tiers such as:

1. Students engage in an activity or lesson in which they learn about the similarities and differences of different groups of people.

2. Students engage in an activity in which they learn the meaning of discrimination and how it effects individuals.

3. Students write a persuasive paper related to discrimination..

Embed Students’ Special Interests

When teaching academic content, it may be helpful to embed the students’ special interests into the learning activities when appropriate.

For example, if a student is passionate about trains, you can use an analogy of the cars on a train to explain the concept that all stories have a beginning, middle, and end.

Allow Topic Selection

When appropriate, allow students to select topics of study to demonstrate mastery of the content.

For example, if the content goal is related to learning research skills, the students can select topics for research in which they have a strong interest.

Another example is if the content goal entails learning how to collect data and graph, the students can select a topic for data collection based on interests.

Note-taking Organizers

Note-taking organizers (guided notes) provides the students with a document that is structured in a way that easily allows them to follow along with instruction and fill in important information throughout the lesson.

This is a good strategy for students with ASD because it is a way to keep them actively engaged.

For more information on guided notes visit: http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/interventions/study/gnotes.php

Differentiating Process

There are a variety of ways to differentiate how students learn to address readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles

The table on the next slide provides some examples

Differentiating ProcessReadiness Level Interests Learning Profile

Provide reading materials on different levels to provide access to content

Allow students to use learning materials they enjoy (computer, books, drawing materials, videos)

Students can work with a peer or a group of peers to learn the content/problem-based learning/project based learning

Enlarge text/read information aloud to students who cannot read

Group students based on similar interests for a topic of study to learn together

Provide visual material (graphic organizers, pictures, print, videos)

Use scaffolding to provide access to general education content (tap into what the students already know and help them “build bridges” to new content)

Set up learning centers based on student interests

Provide auditory material (talking, singing, rhyming, music)

Use a variety of resource materials at different cognitive levels (books, music, magazines, videos, websites, audio tapes)

If a student does better attending to instruction while fidgeting with an object or hold a special item, allow it

Provide opportunities for active engagement/hands-on learning experiences/allow movement/role play/literature circles

Eliminate or explain abstract material as necessary

Differentiating Product

There are a variety of ways to differentiate how students demonstrate what they have learned to address readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles

The table on the next slide provides some examples

Differentiating ProductsReadiness Levels Interests Learning Profile

Students can create logs/journals to demonstrate what they have learned

Allow students to demonstrate learning in a variety of formats (writing, talking, singing, drawing, creating models, acting)

Give a timeline for when product assignments are due

Use a variety of options for answering questioning (open ended, yes/no, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, picture/card responses)

Allow students to demonstrate learning with the use of computers and other technology if they have a strong interest in using them

Put directions on audio tapes so students can re-visit the explanations as often as necessary

Allow oral presentation of learned content/Use of assistive technology

Provide samples/models of assignment expectations

Provide support needed in helping students locate appropriate resources

Provide templates that guide students through each step of completing the assignment

Provide group/individualized rubrics so students understand expectations.

Choral/group response opportunities

Writing Assignment Rubric

20 points each Points

Generates ideas independently during the prewriting phase

Uses prewriting work to guide the writing of a rough draft

Expresses ideas using at least 3-4 word combinations for each idea

Uses at least 5 “sentences” (ideas) in the rough draft

Maintains on-task behaviors during the writing activity

Total Points:

Websites Containing Information on Differentiating Instruction

http://www.paulakluth.com/differentiating-instruction.html

http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_diffinstruc.html

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/di.htm

Summary

It is important to note that you can differentiate instruction for task completion within a single lesson or across a unit of instruction (McLesky & Waldron, 2000)

Learning to differentiate instruction is a process. It is important to be reflective in your present abilities to differentiate and continually strive to enhance your capabilities to differentiate while not expecting too much of yourself at first.

Module 5 Activity

Select a lesson or a unit of study that you will be teaching to your whole class of students.

Provide a plan for how you will differentiate across content, process, and product to address readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles.

In addition, discuss how you will differentiate your content to embed IEP objectives for a student with ASD.

The next slide provides a sample worksheet you can use, or you can create your own.

Differentiating Instruction Plan

Readiness Level Interests Learning Profile

Content

Process

Product

Lesson/unit of study topic:________________________________________

References

Lawrence-Brown, D. (2004). Differentiated instruction: Inclusive strategies for standards-based learning that benefit the whole class. American Secondary Education, 32, 34-62.

McLeskey, J., & Waldron, N. (2000). Inclusive schools in action: Making differences ordinary. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Tomlinson, C. (1999). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development