Ashley Trivitt

ELED300
Dr. Isbell
November 15, 2015
Module 4 writing

A. Define and identify the principles of differentiation.

Differentiation is the foundation of instruction that is equipped
to meet individual needs. Teachers can differentiate in many
different ways. They can manipulate content, process, products, or
learning environments. Teachers use ongoing assessment and
flexibility to create a warm environment for students where they are
able to use differentiation as a meaningful approach to learning.
B. Ask your mentor teacher about how he/she
uses differentiation in his/her classroom.
When discussing with my mentor teacher about differentiation,
she mentioned the literacy groups and reading partners that she
does with her class. The first part of the day is literacy and reading.
The students break up for individual reading while the first group is
called to the back table for group assessment. The students read
together as a group while Ms. Koepp assesses where they are at on
the reading level. Then she has the groups read in pairs which she

calls shoulder partners. While observing, I also noticed that Mrs.

Koepp has centers all around her room which consist of an audio
learning center for books that are read aloud to them. There is also
an I-pad and computer station where the students are able to play
interactive learning games. She also has time during the day for the
students to read in their just I right reading spot which is a spot
that the students choose themselves around the room. I also noticed
that the students have the ability to choose which strategies they
would like to use for math and reading, and its amazing how they
are able to come up with an abundance of strategies all by
themselves. The students are also up and moving around the
majority of the day but are also back and forth between floor and
chair.
C. Then explain how you plan to differentiate instruction in
your own classroom.
When I become a teacher I hope to be able to teach
kindergarten. In my kindergarten classroom, I will have centers set
up around the room that have a variety of technology, as well as
quiet space for the students to go. I would like a comfortable center
time with a carpet for the class. During reading, the students will

have their individual levels and will be assessed regularly. I will have
a group roundtable as well as the individual tables. I would like my
students to be able to learn different strategies for learning so they
are able to choose which one works best for them when learning
numbers and letters. I would also like to have a classroom that is
based upon positive reinforcement where students are held
accountable individually by the progress that they have made and
the individual goals that we have set together at the beginning of
the year. I would like all students to have a cubby for personal space
as well as a take home folder.