Getting to Know Your Students

Overview:
This lesson helps teachers to become familiar with the different ways in which their
students can differ. The goal is to help teachers understand the three areas: readiness,
interest, and learning profile and how they can get to know this about their students.
Learning Targets:

Understand the three areas that students can differ: readiness, interest, and
learning profile

Materials:
Readiness on Differentiation Video by Carol Tomlinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MMvCd5Xafag
Table on Readiness, Interest, and Learning Profile
Get to Know Your Students Page by
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/di/cresource/q2/p03/#content
Lesson Menu
Poster partitioned into thirds with the headings: Readiness, Interest, and Learning Profile
Time needed: 30 minutes
Procedure:
1. Give teachers the menu options for today and have them make choices for each
section to earn a total of 10 points.
2. After teachers complete the menu, give them each three sticky notes. Teachers will
write down one thing about each of the following: readiness, interest, and learning
profile, and then add to the chart in the front of the room. This could be something
they learned, a question they still have, or an idea to help address these during our
math instructional block.
3. Before teachers leave, they should complete the Professional Development
Evaluation (See Appendix C).
Lesson 2 Getting to Know Your Students

Name ____________________________________
___________________________

Lesson 2 Getting to Know Your Students

Date

What is the difference between readiness and ability?

Readiness

Interest

What I already
know

New Learning

Name ____________________________________
___________________________
Lesson 2 Getting to Know Your Students

Date

Learning
Profile

Getting to Know Your Students Menu

Select an activity from each of the three sections. Make sure you earn a
total of 10 points.
Appetizer (3 points)
Fill in Chart with what you already know about each of the 3 areas
students can differ: readiness, interest, and learning profile.
Main Course (5 points) pick one
Watch the video by Carol Tomlinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=MMvCd5Xafag and complete the rest of the chart from the
appetizer.
Read the page Know Your Students Page by
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/di/cresource/q2/p03/#content and complete the
rest of the chart from the appetizer.
Dessert (2 points) pick one
Learner Profiles-Give One, Get One: On your own, list all the
differences between students which may account for the various ways
we should match the learning to them. After you have brainstormed
your list, share it with another until you land on one the other person
didnt have (thats your give one). Have the other person share his or
her list with you until you hear one you did not have; write it down
(thats your get one). Do this with at least 3 partners.

Explore on-line to find an interest survey that you might use in your
classroom with your students.

Lesson 2 Getting to Know Your Students

Know Your Students

http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/di/cresource/q2/p03/#content

As discussed previously, when they differentiate instruction, teachers design lessons to address the needs of
groups of students. Before teachers can do this, however, they must first get to know their students in terms of:
Readiness

Interest

Learning Profile

Readiness
Readiness refers to a students knowledge and skill level regarding given content. A students readiness level
might vary across subjects or content areas. For example, a student may have extensive knowledge about
ancient Egypt but have little knowledge about the Incan civilization. Additionally, a students readiness may be
influenced by his or her background knowledge, life experiences, or previous learning. Teachers can determine
the level at which a student is working in a given subject area by:

Did You Know?

Learning occurs when a student is asked to complete a task that is just beyond what he or she can do
independently, or, in other words, in his or her proximal zone of development.

Examining the results of formal or informal tests (e.g., standardized test, unit pre-test)

Viewing a students academic record

Examining work samples

Administering a student self-report measure (click here for sample questions)

Asking students to complete a KWL chart (click here for an example KWL chart)

Interest
Lesson 2 Getting to Know Your Students

Interest refers to topics, skills, or activities that pique a students curiosity or inspire him or her. Teachers can
discover their students interests by determining what topics they enjoy or which activities they engage in
outside of class. They can do so by asking students to:

Discuss their interests

Complete an interest inventory (click here for a sample inventory)

Write a journal entry about themselves

Participate in classroom ice-breaker activities (click here for sample activities)

Learning Profile
Learning profile refers to a students preferred method of learning new information or skills (e.g., visually,
hands-on, through deductive means) and to environmental factors that influence a students learning (e.g., small
group, bright lights, no distractions). A students profile can also be influenced by gender and culture. For
example, students from cultural backgrounds that value cooperation over competition may perform better in a
small group versus working independently. Teachers can assess a students preferred method of learning by:
Differentiation doesnt ask teachers to begin by individualizing instruction. It asks teachers to look for
patterns of need.
Carol Ann Tomlinson (2010)

Administering an inventory or questionnaire (click here for sample questions)

Observing the student during class

For Your Information

When they collect information to better understand a students learning profile, teachers should also take note of
each students affect, or emotions and feelings. Teachers should strive to understand how students feel about
themselves and what makes each of them feel successful or discouraged.

Lesson 2 Getting to Know Your Students