What Does It Mean To Differentiate?

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Differentiation is one of those buzz words in education that can be hard to understand. But to put it simply, differentiation is about making a lesson accessible to every single student in the classroom. Sometimes that means lowering the standard to close a gap in a child's learning ability, but most of the time it simply means providing scaffolding that allows the child to reach the standard. Other times--in the case of Gifted and talented students--it also means stretching a state standard to the very furthest point, its highest branches and its deepest caverns. 

Think of it like this: 

Your class is sitting at the dining table. Everyone is expected to be able to reach the table. Everyone has the same level chair. But not everyone reaches the table. Those who can't reach are your ELLs, your IEP students, those with 504 plans, and some with behavioral concerns or a mixture of struggles. But no matter what the cause, the result is the same: the standard (or table) isn't being reached. 


So, what is to be done? Do you remove the table for everyone? No, because that causes everyone to fail at the expectation. Therefore, booster seats--or scaffolding--must be employed. Your ELL students might need a booster seat made of language dictionaries, podcasts, speaking tapes, and more. Your IEP and 504 students' booster seats will be comprised of everything in their files, plus whatever supplies they might need otherwise. Behavioral students may need an IEP or 504, any testing required, and documentation. 

And then there's the Gifted students.

They're too tall for the table, and they can't replace their chair or otherwise modify it. Instead, they might be moved to a taller table. Or maybe the floor beneath the standard (table) is dug lower, so that the students can explore the lessons deeper. 

No matter what, though, know this: It's always going to be imperfect, and that's okay. Differentiation might take trial and error. Someone might fall off their chairs a few times. Some boosters might fall apart. Sometimes the floor breaks too low, and the Gifted students are off into a niche passion project with no foreseeable end. When that happens, it's okay. Take a deep breath and remember that you are at the table too. You might need a booster seat too. Or a cup holder. Or any number of things that could make teaching go smoother. And that's okay. You've got this.




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