Differentiated Instruction: What It Is, Tips, Tools, How to Do It

I don’t think I need to tell you there’s a lot that goes into differentiated instruction.

You have to understand the diverse needs and learning styles of your students.

Then there’s planning and implementing various instructional strategies tailored to those needs.

And you have to do ongoing assessment and adjustments to ensure effectiveness and student growth.

It’s enough to make you want to say, “Ready, Set, Run.”

But here’s the thing:

When you really nail it, differentiated instruction presents an incredible opportunity to meet the individual needs of all your learners and foster a truly inclusive classroom environment. And I’m going to give you a blueprint for success.

In this differentiated instruction guide, I’ll be answering 9 common questions people ask me. And I’ll give you the real scoop – based on years of trial and error – so you can rest assured you’re getting answers from an expert.

Having successfully implemented differentiated instruction strategies in my own classroom, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact it can have on student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement.

These are the answers I wish I had in the early days of my time in the classroom, and my hope is that they will clear up any confusion you have around differentiated instruction so you can maximize your results.

Before we dig in, I created this FREE guide with all the steps to differentiating your instruction.

Download your free Differentiation Guide now

#1. What’s the best way to approach learning about the unique needs and interests of your students?

There are loads of different ways to approach getting to know your students, and the key is to find one that resonates with you. At the end of the day, the best approach is the one you can stick with and be consistent.

That said, here are some approaches I recommend:

Approach #1 – Student Interest Surveys

This approach involves creating and administering interest surveys to students to gather information about their hobbies, preferences, learning styles, and personal interests.

It’s a straightforward method that provides valuable insights into what motivates and engages your students beyond the classroom.

My take: To make this approach even more effective, consider incorporating open-ended questions that allow students to express themselves freely. For example, instead of asking what their favorite subject is, ask them to describe a project or activity they enjoyed in the past and why.

This deeper level of inquiry can reveal nuanced insights into students’ interests and preferences.

For example:

I remember one student who seemed disengaged in class, but on his interest survey, he mentioned a passion for building model airplanes. I incorporated this interest into a hands-on project where he researched and constructed different types of airplanes, and his enthusiasm for learning soared.

Most people overlook the potential of interest surveys because they assume they’re time-consuming or not worth the effort.

However, with online tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey, creating and administering surveys can be quick and easy.

Approach #2 – Student Interviews

This approach involves conducting one-on-one interviews with students to gain a deeper understanding of their backgrounds, interests, strengths, challenges, and goals.

It’s a more personalized method that allows for meaningful connections and insights into individual students’ needs.

I didn’t start doing this until I noticed that some students were hesitant to share their interests in a survey format.

Conducting interviews allowed me to build rapport with students and uncover valuable information that wouldn’t have surfaced otherwise. It made every difference in the world in terms of personalizing my instruction and fostering a supportive classroom environment.

Most people avoid student interviews because they perceive them as time-consuming or intimidating.

However, with proper planning and a genuine interest in getting to know your students, interviews can be a powerful tool for building relationships and informing your teaching practice.

To get started with this approach, follow these steps:

Schedule individual meetings with each student in a comfortable and private setting.
Prepare a list of open-ended questions that prompt students to share about their interests, goals, challenges, and learning preferences.
Actively listen to students’ responses and ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into their experiences and perspectives.
Use the insights gained from the interviews to inform your instructional planning and differentiation strategies.

Approach #3 – Learning Style Inventories

This approach involves administering learning style inventories or assessments to students to identify their preferred ways of learning (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic).

Understanding students’ learning styles can help you tailor instruction and activities to better meet their individual needs.

I’ve found learning style inventories to be particularly useful in understanding how students process information and engage with content.

By recognizing and accommodating diverse learning styles, I’ve been able to create a more inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.

To get started with this approach, follow these steps:

Select a learning style inventory or assessment tool that aligns with your instructional goals and preferences.
Administer the inventory to students and collect their responses.
Analyze the results to identify patterns and preferences among your students.
Use the information to adapt your teaching methods and materials to accommodate different learning styles in the classroom.

#2. What should I be doing every week?

The best way to ensure effective implementation of differentiated instruction is to set daily goals and activities and review your progress each week. Then adjust your plans based on your progress.

Here are some specific focus areas that will help you implement differentiated instruction:

Daily: Plan and prepare differentiated lessons and materials tailored to meet the diverse needs of your students. Incorporate various instructional strategies, such as small-group activities, independent work, and hands-on learning experiences, to address different learning styles and abilities in your classroom.
Weekly: Reflect on the effectiveness of your instruction and student progress throughout the week. Review assessment data, anecdotal notes, and student work samples to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement. Use this information to adjust your instructional plans for the following week and provide additional support or enrichment as needed.
Monthly: Collaborate with colleagues to share insights, strategies, and resources for differentiated instruction. PLCs are a natural place to discuss how well instructional strategies are impacting student learning and outcomes. Reflect on your overall progress and student growth over the month, and adjust your long-term instructional goals accordingly.

To help you stay on track, I recommend using Trello, a productivity and project management tool that allows you to organize and prioritize tasks in a visual and collaborative way.

Here are three ways you can use Trello to for lesson planning:

Task Management: Create separate boards for each subject or unit of study, with lists representing different stages of the instructional process (e.g., planning, preparation, implementation, assessment). Within each list, create cards for specific tasks or activities, such as lesson planning, creating differentiated materials, and assessing student progress. This visual organization helps to stay focused and ensures that you address all aspects of differentiated instruction.
Collaboration: You can invite colleagues to collaborate on Trello boards, allowing you to share resources, ideas, and feedback related to differentiated instruction. I’ve used comments, attachments, and checklists within Trello cards to communicate and track progress collaboratively. This collaborative approach fosters a supportive learning community and enriches our collective understanding of effective differentiation strategies.
Goal Setting and Reflection: Set long-term goals for differentiated instruction and break them down into smaller, actionable tasks. The cards allow you to regularly review progress and update goals based on ongoing reflection and assessment of student needs and outcomes. Trello’s visual interface makes it easy to track progress and celebrate achievements along the way, keeping you motivated and accountable in implementing differentiated instruction effectively.

#3. How long will it take to plan differentiated instruction?

I know you’re pumped about implementing differentiated instruction and want to see results quickly, but you can’t rush the process.

You need to ensure that your instructional plans are well-thought-out and tailored to meet the diverse needs of your students. Cutting corners in planning will only result in ineffective instruction, which ultimately leads to student disengagement and decreased academic achievement.

You’ll have much better results if you focus on one or two small goals each week. For example, setting a goal to identify the learning preferences of two students or incorporating differentiated activities into one lesson per week.

By taking incremental steps, you’ll gradually build a strong foundation for differentiated instruction.

Before you know it, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come in implementing differentiated instruction effectively.

As John Dewey said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Instead of focusing solely on the end result or how long it will take, focus on the process of continuous improvement and growth as an educator.

Here’s how you’ll know when you’ve made significant progress in planning differentiated instruction:

You notice increased student engagement and participation during lessons.
Students demonstrate improved understanding and mastery of content through varied assessment methods.
You receive positive feedback from students, colleagues, or parents about the effectiveness of your instructional strategies.

#4. Is there a faster way to differentiate instruction?

I get it. Planning differentiated instruction can take a long time. You have to assess student needs, design individualized activities, and adapt materials—all while juggling other responsibilities.

It’s hard to stay focused and motivated, especially if you have a demanding schedule or minimal planning time during the school day.

Here’s what you can do to save time:

Utilize pre-made resources: Explore educational websites, online platforms, or teacher resource libraries for pre-made differentiated activities and materials. These resources can provide a great starting point and save you time on creating everything from scratch.
Collaborate with colleagues: Share ideas, resources, and strategies with your fellow teachers. Collaborating with colleagues allows you to leverage each other’s expertise and experience to exchange insights, troubleshoot challenges, and collectively brainstorm solutions.
Use technology tools: Explore educational technology tools and platforms designed to support differentiated instruction. These tools often offer features such as adaptive learning, personalized feedback, and progress tracking, which can streamline the differentiation process.
Implement flexible grouping: Instead of reorganizing your entire classroom for each lesson, consider implementing flexible grouping strategies that allow students to work in various configurations based on their needs and interests.
Streamline assessment practices: Focus on formative assessment techniques that provide timely feedback on student progress and understanding. Utilize tools such as rubrics, checklists, and exit tickets to gather data efficiently and inform instructional decisions.

But the most important thing you should do?

Adopt a growth mindset. Embrace the idea that differentiation is a continuous learning process, and each small improvement contributes to the overall success of your students.

Stay open to trying new strategies, reflecting on your practice, and refining your approach over time.

#5. How do I know what to focus on next?

Sometimes it’s hard to know if THIS strategy or THAT strategy will work best for your classroom. Should you try incorporating tiered assessments? Or explore flexible grouping techniques?

It all depends on where you’re at in your differentiated instruction journey:

If you’re in the beginner stage, focus on building a strong foundation by getting to know your students’ interests, strengths, and learning needs. Implement strategies such as interest surveys, learning style inventories, and student interviews to gather data and inform your instructional planning.
If you’ve started implementing differentiated instruction, focus on refining your differentiation strategies and expanding your repertoire of instructional techniques. Experiment with tiered assignments, flexible grouping, choice boards, and learning centers to provide diverse learning experiences that cater to individual student needs.
If you’re more advanced in your differentiation strategies, focus on fine-tuning your differentiation practices and maximizing their impact on student learning. Dive deeper into data analysis to identify trends and patterns in student performance, use student feedback to inform your instructional decisions, and collaborate with colleagues to share best practices and innovative approaches.

Remember, more than anything else, what should steer the course of your classroom is your students’ needs. Stay attuned to their interests, strengths, and challenges, and continuously adjust your instructional strategies to meet their evolving needs.

#6. What tools or resources should I use to support differentiated instruction?

If you’re ready to level up your differentiation game, you’ll need to invest in the right tools for the job. Tools that help you plan, implement, and assess differentiated instruction faster and easier so you can meet the diverse needs of your students effectively.

The best differentiation tools will help you personalize learning experiences for each student without overwhelming you with complex processes or excessive preparation.

Here are three of my favorites and how teachers can use them:

Magicschool.ai. This new AI platform has multiple tools to support teachers in lesson planning, differentiation, and more. Try out the Choice Board Generator or Assignment Scaffolder to help you personalize your lessons to student needs and interests.
Teacher Resource Libraries – like TeachersPayTeachers. Teacher resource libraries offer a wealth of pre-made materials and templates specifically designed for differentiated instruction. They include differentiated worksheets, graphic organizers, task cards, and rubrics that can be easily customized to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Collaborative Planning Tools – like Google Workspace. Collaborative planning tools allow teachers to collaborate with colleagues in real-time to plan and implement differentiated instruction. These tools facilitate communication, resource sharing, and lesson collaboration among educators, enabling them to leverage each other’s expertise and streamline the planning process.

There are other tools and resources available as well.

Just remember when you’re searching for tools, make sure they offer customizable features and comprehensive support for differentiation strategies. That way, you’ll be able to personalize learning experiences and student engagement more efficiently.

#7. What am I doing wrong with assessing student learning in differentiated instruction?

If you’ve been assessing student learning in a traditional manner for a while but not seeing the desired results, don’t worry.

It’s one of the biggest challenges teachers face when implementing differentiated instruction, so take a deep breath. It’s not you.

What’s likely at fault here is using assessments that aren’t aligned with the principles of differentiated instruction.

Traditional assessments often focus on uniform, standardized testing methods that may not accurately measure the diverse skills, abilities, and learning styles of all students.

The way to fix it is to implement formative assessment practices that are tailored to the individual needs of your students.

Formative assessment is the way to address challenges in assessing student learning within differentiated instruction because it provides ongoing, real-time insights into individual student progress.

Unlike traditional summative assessments, formative assessment methods allow teachers to adapt their instruction dynamically, tailoring it to the diverse needs, strengths, and learning styles of each student.

Here’s how to get started:

First, incorporate varied assessment methods.

Use a combination of formative assessment techniques such as exit tickets, quizzes, observation checklists, and student self-assessments to gather real-time data on student understanding and progress.

Next, adjust instruction based on assessment data.

Analyze the assessment data to identify areas where students may need additional support or enrichment. Modify your instruction, materials, and activities to meet the diverse learning needs of your students effectively.

Finally, provide timely and specific feedback.

Offer personalized feedback to students that is targeted to their individual learning goals and needs. Highlight their strengths, address areas for improvement, and provide actionable suggestions for growth.

#8. How do I avoid stigmatizing struggling learners?

Every time I try to support struggling learners, I worry about inadvertently stigmatizing them or making them feel singled out.

Sound familiar?

It’s a common concern among educators who want to provide effective support while maintaining students’ dignity and self-esteem.

To avoid stigmatizing struggling learners, focus on creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and respected.

Here’s how:

Tailored Learning: Tailor your teaching strategies, materials, and activities without drawing unnecessary attention to their challenges. Try providing discreet one-on-one support during independent work time, offering personalized learning opportunities through technology platforms, or incorporating choice-based assignments where students can select tasks aligned with their abilities and interests.
Individualized Interventions: Implement individualized interventions for struggling learners discreetly and sensitively. Offer additional support, resources, or accommodations based on each student’s specific needs, preferences, and learning goals. Work collaboratively with students and their families to develop personalized plans that address their areas of difficulty while leveraging their strengths.
Positive Reinforcement: Focus on students’ strengths and progress rather than their difficulties. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and provide positive reinforcement to build their confidence and motivation. Emphasize a growth mindset and encourage a culture of continuous improvement where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for learning and growth.

#9. How can I manage differentiated instruction in a mixed-ability classroom?

Managing differentiated instruction in a mixed-ability classroom requires a thoughtful approach to balance the diverse needs of students while maintaining a supportive learning environment.

Here are some strategies:

Flexible Grouping

Utilize flexible grouping strategies to organize students based on their readiness levels, interests, or learning preferences. Rotate groups regularly to ensure students have opportunities to collaborate with peers of varying abilities and learn from each other.

Tiered Assignments

Provide tiered assignments that offer different levels of complexity or support based on students’ readiness levels. This allows all students to engage with the content at an appropriate challenge level while addressing individual learning needs.

Individualized Learning Plans

Develop individualized learning plans (ILPs) for students with specific learning goals, accommodations, or modifications. Collaborate with students, parents, and support staff to create ILPs that address their unique needs and outline strategies for differentiation.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Implement principles of Universal Design for Learning to create flexible learning environments that accommodate diverse learners. Provide multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to support students with varied learning styles and abilities.

Peer Tutoring and Collaboration

Encourage peer tutoring and collaboration where students can support each other in their learning. Pairing students of different abilities allows for reciprocal learning experiences and promotes a sense of community within the classroom.

Ongoing Assessment and Feedback

Use formative assessment techniques to monitor student progress and provide timely feedback. Adjust instruction and differentiation strategies based on assessment data to ensure all students are supported in their learning journey.

Scaffolded Instruction

Scaffold instruction by breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps and providing support as needed. Gradually release responsibility to students as they demonstrate mastery, allowing them to work independently at their own pace.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage differentiated instruction to ensure that all students are challenged, engaged, and supported in their learning journey.

Wrapping it Up

Now you have the real scoop on differentiated instruction, addressing the unique needs of all learners, and managing a mixed-ability classroom.

By implementing strategies such as flexible grouping, tiered assignments, and ongoing assessment, you can create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.

If you stay consistent and prioritize the individual needs of your students, you’ll see improved engagement, academic growth, and a more inclusive classroom community.

Did I answer all your questions? Let me know in the comments.

Take a first step at putting this into action by downloading my FREE Differentiation Guide. This comprehensive, actionable guide will help you implement differentiated instruction quickly.

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