Differentiation

by
Investigation
L.I.S.A. conference
22 January 2010
Angela McCray
6
th
Grade Science Teacher
ACS Cobham International School
amccray@acs-england.co.uk
My Background
! Teaching since 1995 (14 years) in Georgia,
Michigan, and California -- 10 of those teaching
middle school math and science
! Experience as an assistant principal and a
curriculum director
! Second year at ACS teaching 6
th
grade Science
and Robotics
Differentiation by Investigation
AGENDA:
! Getting to know your kids
" Interest
" Learning Profile
! How to use the data
" Grouping
" Teaching strategies
" Assessment
! Have your students write 5 things about themselves in the following manner:
1. The first thing should be something almost everyone has in common (ex. I like to
learn)
2. The second thing most people should have in common (ex. I have brown hair)
3. The third thing many people should have in common (ex. I love dogs)
4. The fourth thing only a few people have in common (ex. I have travelled to
Malaysia)
5. The last thing should be unique to you! (ex. Im from Michigan)
! Collect the cards. Draw a card randomly and read the first statement. Everyone
for whom the statement is true stands up. Read the next statement. If it is no longer
true of you, sit down. Repeat this until the last statement when the person who wrote
the card should be the only one standing.
Who Is It Cards
Nanci Smith, 2007
Interest
! Scientific Method Me
! Introduce yourself and have students introduce
themselves using objects. Others will develop a
hypothesis about why it was chosen. Record one item
that deals with their interests on the back of their who
is it card.
! Pre-tests or KWL
! Add a question to a pre-test asking what they would
like to know about the topic; or use the W from the
KWL. The topic that is chosen the most is included in the
unit.




Learner Profile Card
Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic
Modality
Multiple Intelligence Preference
Gardner
Analytical, Creative, Practical
Sternberg
Personality
Array
Gender Stripe
Students
Interests
Nanci Smith,Scottsdale,AZ
4 Inventories
! Modality
! Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic
" Useful for instruction style or class centers
! Sternberg
! Analytical, Creative, Practical
" Useful for assigning partners for projects
! Personality Array
! Harmony, Production, Connection, Status Quo
" Useful for seating charts, small group learning
! Gardner
! Linguistic, Logical, Spatial, Musical, Bodily, Interpersonal,
Intrapersonal, Naturalist
" Useful for instruction, student choice
Grouping
! Seating chart/Group work
! Use Personality Array to arrange groups of students
one from each type, and mix boys and girls
! Partners for assignments
! Use Clock Partners to record data from inventories for
ease of partnering
Personality Array
Your personality is a critical element in the classroom dynamic. The Array Model (Knaupp, 1995) identifies four
personality types through the use of several personality descriptors. Take a look at the personality types, below,
and see which character you match up with.


CHARACTER
COOPERATIVE
(Positive Behavior)
Caring
Sensitive
Nurturing
Harmonizing
Feeling-oriented
Logical
Structured
Organized
Systematic
Thinking-oriented
Spontaneous
Creative
Playful
Enthusiastic
Action-oriented
Quiet
Imaginative
Insightful
Reflective
Inaction-oriented
RELUCTANT
(Negative Behavior)
Overadaptive
Overpleasing
Makes mistakes
Cries or giggles
Self-defeating
Overcritical
Overworks
Perfectionist
Verbally attacks
Demanding
Disruptive
Blames
Irresponsible
Demands attention
Defiant
Disengaging
Withdrawn
Delays
Despondent
Daydreams
PSYCHOLOGICAL
NEEDS
Friendships
Sensory experience
Task completion
Time schedule
Contact with people
Fun activities
Alone time
Stability
WAYS TO MEET
NEEDS
Value their feelings
Comfortable work place
Pleasing learning
environment
Work with a friend
sharing times
Value their ideas
Incentives
Rewards
Leadership positions
Schedules
To-do lists
Value their activity
Hands-on activities
Group interaction
Games
Change in routine
Value their privacy
Alone time
Independent activities
Specific directions
Computer activities
Routine tasks


Harmony Production Connection Status Quo

! 2 Modality
! 4 Choice
! 6 Sternberg
! 8 Choice
! 10 Gardner
! 12 Choice
Clock Partners
Teaching
! Vary teaching strategies
! Make spreadsheet per class for teaching/learning
! Process
" Song (EMS)
" Hands-on activities
" Lecture (use visual and auditory)
" Class discussions (student experiences)
" Small groups/partnering
" Student choice topics
" Online simulations
" YouTube videos

Assessment
! Products - Vary type of assessment
! Exams
" Vary question types/responses (Sternberg)
! Classwork
" Astroventure (modality, interest)
! Projects
" Lab Safety (Gardner, Sternberg, modality)
" Cell Models (interest, modality, Gardner)
Possible Products
Map
Diagram
Sculpture
Discussion
Demonstration
Poem
Profile
Chart
Play
Dance
Campaign
Cassette
Quiz Show
Banner
Brochure
Debate
Flow Chart
Puppet Show
Tour
Lecture
Editorial
Painting
Costume
Placement
Blueprint
Catalogue
Dialogue
Newspaper
Scrapbook
Lecture
Questionnaire
Flag
Scrapbook
Graph
Debate
Museum
Learning Center
Advertisement
Book List
Calendar
Coloring Book
Game
Research Project
TV Show
Song
Dictionary
Film
Collection
Trial
Machine
Book
Mural
Award
Recipe
Test
Puzzle
Model
Timeline
Toy
Article
Diary
Poster
Magazine
Computer Program
Photographs
Terrarium
Petition Drive
Teaching Lesson
Prototype
Speech
Club
Cartoon
Biography
Review
Invention
Questions?
Thank you for attending and have a safe journey home!