What differentiation actually looks like in middle school ela
We hear talks of how important differentiation is in classrooms all the time. You might hear it from your administrator(s) if you’re a teacher, or if you are a parent that does homeschooling for your child, that may be something you are particularly cognizant of… and sensitive to. But what does differentiation actually mean for middle school ELA students who are navigating the transitional years between elementary and high school? Today, we will go over the definition of differentiation, and three ways you can implement it - regardless of where, or even how, you teach.
differentiation? what is that?
Differentiation, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is “the act of showing or finding difference between things that are compared.” In other words, this is how things are different. In the field of education, you may know all too well how challenging it can be to implement differences in instruction - especially when standards are very clear on what they want students to learn. Differentiating instruction can quickly become overwhelming for educators, especially when balancing standards, engagement, and varying student needs. So how can you make sure that your students are sticking to the proverbial script and keep things fun and engaging? Easy!
option a: topic selection
One of the best, and probably easiest ways, to differentiate instruction is to let students tell you what they want to talk about. Let’s say you are on a very riveting lesson, trying to teach W.6.1. Well, if you tell them to argue for and against late school start times, some may be interested in the topic, and others genuinely couldn’t care less. In such cases, you can typically tell who liked the subject matter and who didn’t based on the deliverable quality. Here is a helpful alternative: let students decide the topic. Give them clear argument expectations - perhaps you want them to use 12 pt font in sans-serif, and you want clear sentences with a nice and tidy introduction, paragraph, and a conclusion. Then, allow them to take the reigns and argue what they want to discuss. To filter out some concepts, you may wish to conduct a topic pre-approval process - but the ability to write about something meaningful to them is an invaluable experience that they will never forget.
option b: Use Technology to Support Engagement
A lot of classrooms have an amazing feature that was relatively lacking in the 90’s - almost every single one uses technology in some way, shape, or form. Maybe your district has student assigned tablets or computers, or if you are a parent, you may have a dedicated office with a laptop. There any many ways to use the internet and technology to provide new and exciting learning experiences. Gamification (the act of adding game-like elements to non-game things) can be a great way to keep students learning and engaged. You may know of a popular website that uses games to help students recall mathematical facts, for example. The same can be done for English language arts. What is nice about this method is that it is truly impervious to settings. In-person and online students can all join in on the fun. And if you only use a projector? It might be time to host a game show reviewing parts of speech.
option c: change the output
Many of us know and understand how strict school districts can be about standards. A common complaint is that standards can introduce a rigid feeling and decrease not just student engagement, but teacher engagement. A less discussed method is simply changing how students demonstrate that they know and can master the standard. For example, allow them to submit by presentation, a speech, or a drawing. Many students have complained of traditional homework requirements, and this method allows for a new change of pace.
bonus option d: educator’s differentiated lesson plan
At Midway Education, we believe that the pinnacle of differentiated instruction is using all three of these methods - a practice that we do all day, every day. Our approach is to allow students the ability to take their education into their own hands. We present three Options - A, B, and C, and students select the pathway they would like to follow. Each pathway is challenging in its own right, including analytical, technological-based, and creative options, ensuring that students engage in a way that is both interesting and meaningful to them. If this concept of built in differentiation is fascinating to you, we invite you check out our Educator’s Differentiated Lesson Plan journal (available both in physical and digital forms) which allows space for standard insertion, three pathways, and reflection for following lessons. And if you are looking for differentiated middle school ELA resources? Explore our printable worksheets, bell ringers, literacy workbooks, and Educator’s Differentiated Lesson Plan Journal in the Learn Your Way Store.
Regardless of which method you decide, careful planning and consideration of student interests can help create meaningful learning experiences in your classroom or educational space.