Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners

A Multiple-Day Workshop Series

In order for all students to achieve academic success and for schools to achieve and maintain adequate yearly progress (AYP), it is essential that high standards for all and differentiation of instruction be seen as the perfect pair.

This multiple-day workshop series is designed for teachers who teach in districts with clearly articulated student learning standards, who have mastered their content and developed an extensive repertoire of instructional strategies, and are ready to focus on the diverse needs of their learners. During the workshop series teachers explore ways to provide multiple pathways to learning so that both advanced and struggling learners are challenged yet not frustrated and ways to scaffold instruction for struggling learners, divergent learners, and second language learners.

Areas of Focus

• Refinement of instructional repertoires and data-driven decision making about the use of instructional strategies
• Practical issues of materials, organizational systems, curriculum mandates, and pacing

Refinement of Instructional Repertoire

• How to use pre-assessment and task analysis to plan differentiated instruction
• How to gather and use on-going assessment data
• How to make data-driven decisions about what to reteach, when, and to whom
• How to capitalize on learner strengths and minimize learner deficiencies
• How to scaffold and extend instruction
• How to shelter and extend instruction for second language learners
• How to build in student choice
• How to teach students to self-assess and self-adjust

Practical Issues

• How to obtain appropriate resources
• How to structure the classroom so that all students are engaged in meaningful learning
• How to differentiate the use of programs and kits purchased by the district
• How to use pacing guides and curriculum maps and differentiate at the same time
• How to grade in differentiated classrooms
• How to explain differentiation to students and parents

Resources

Instruction for All Students and Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Participant Manual by Paula Rutherford.