Differentiation in Physical Education: Practical Strategies to Support Learners Thief River Falls Staff Development Day Monday, January 18 th, 2010

To download the powerpoint presentation for this workshop, go to: Click on “TRF Differentiation in PE”.

Workshop Objectives Reflect on your own instructional practices Understand what differentiated instruction is and why we use it Know the role of the teacher in a differentiated setting Understand some ways to differentiate instruction

Reflect on Your Own Classroom Practices Reflect upon the results of your “Classroom Practices Inventory”. In what ways have you already done some differentiation in your classroom? In what areas could you do more?

What is Differentiated Instruction? Allowing students choices and options for: Completing a task or performing a skill Showing what they can do or what they’ve learned

Why Differentiate? Your students are very diverse! Students have different skills, preferences, strengths, and needs. It’s our job to make sure everyone is given the means to learn the most they can and achieve to their fullest potentials!

The Role of the Teacher in the Differentiated Classroom You are a Facilitator! Provide and prescribe different learning opportunities for students Organize the students Use time flexibly You are a Collaborator! Form partnerships with others to assist you

Ways to Differentiate Instruction You can differentiate by: Abilities, strengths, and needs Learning styles Interests and preferences

How Do I Differentiate by Abilities, Strengths, and Needs? Give students a pretest or self-assessment option before engaging in the unit. Try a variety of lesson structures: Tiered Lessons Independent Work/Contracts/Compacting Group Work Activity Menu/Tic-Tac-Toe/Hopscotch Contract

Differentiation by Learning Styles Differentiation by Learning Styles Learning Styles = student preferences for how they learn…the ways they process and understand information Three categories of Learning Styles: Personality (i.e. extrovert vs. introvert, what motivates you) Information Processing (i.e. concrete/abstract, visual/auditory/kinesthetic) Instructional Preference (i.e. lecture vs. hands on, group work vs. working alone)

Why is Differentiation by Learning Styles Important? Why is Differentiation by Learning Styles Important? Poor performance may not necessarily indicate lack of knowledge, but rather a difficulty with a particular style of learning. Teachers who acknowledge student learning styles are better able to appropriately adapt teaching methods. Students are more positive, motivated, successful, and engaged if taught through learning style strengths.

How Do I Differentiate by Learning Styles? How Do I Differentiate by Learning Styles? Find out what your students’ preferred learning styles are. Conner: “What’s Your Learning Style?” and “What’s Your Motivation Style?” Gardner: “How Are You Smart?”

How Do I Differentiate by Learning Styles? How Do I Differentiate by Learning Styles? Teach with a variety of learning style supports. Activity Menus/Tic-Tac-Toe Hopscotch Contract Variations within a Lecture Encourage students to understand their own learning styles and know what works best for them.

Differentiation by Interests Differentiation by Interests Interests = student preferences for what they learn and what they like Student interests can provide a basis for curriculum development, extension exercises, and independent studies.

Why is Differentiation by Interests Important? Why is Differentiation by Interests Important? Interest leads to motivation, which leads to learning! If something is interesting to a student, it also probably has relevance to the student, which means s/he will connect with the learning. Students are more positive, motivated, successful, and engaged if allowed to explore interests.

How Do I Differentiate by Interests? How Do I Differentiate by Interests? Find out what your students’ interests are. General Interest Inventories Unit Interest Surveys Incorporate independent projects and extension activities based on these interests in your units.

Have fun!! Phrases that come to mind: Choice Flexibility Organized Chaos Assessment Variety