Differentiation can be defined as a way of teaching in which teachers proactively modify curriculum, teaching methods, resources, learning activities, and student products. The needs of individual students and/or small groups of students are addressed to maximize the learning opportunity for each student in the classroom. ~Tomlinson, et al.

"Differentiation is changing the pace, level, or kind of instruction you provide in response to individual learner needs, styles, or interest." ~Heacox

When learning tasks are consistently too hard, students become anxious and frustrated. When tasks are consistently too easy, boredom results. Both boredom and anxiety inhibit a student’s motivation to learn, and – eventually—harm achievement as well. Differentiated instruction helps teachers avoid student anxiety and boredom that can be evident in a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

Differentiation Is...

• Having high expectations for all students.
• Adjustment of the core content.
• Assigning activities geared to different learning styles, interests, and levels of thinking.
• Providing students with choices about what and how they learn.
• Flexible because teachers move students in and out of groups based upon students’ instructional needs.
• Acknowledgment of individual needs
• Articulated, high-level goals reflecting continuous progress.
• Assessment to determine student growth and new needs.
• Adjustment of the curriculum by complexity, breadth, and rate.
• Educational experiences that extend, replace, or supplement the standard curriculum.

Differentiation Is Not...

• Individual learning plans for each student.
• More problems, questions, or assignments
• Get it on your own
• Recreational reading
• Independent reading without curriculum connections
• Free time to draw or practice your talent
• Cooperative learning groups where the gifted kid gets to be the leader
• Activities that all students will be able to do
• Interest centers unless linked to core content and at a complex level

• Asking teachers to specify ways in which differentiated instruction will be provided.
• Understanding that teachers can not (and should not) differentiate all assignments and materials every day.
• Encouraging students to let teachers know when assignments are a good fit and when they are not.
• Encouraging students to compete against themselves rather than comparing themselves to peers.
• Volunteering in the classroom.