What are your first thoughts when you hear the word, “differentiation”? Some of you may be thinking about all the staff meetings you have sat in where that word has come up. Some of you may be thinking about all the extra work that you may think comes with differentiation. There may even be some of you that want to cover your ears and run the opposite direction. What I think we all can agree on though is that differentiation is important in helping meet the needs of ALL of our learners. I have good news for you! Differentiating in math rotations is a lot easier than it sounds and by following some of my simple tips, you may even start to like differentiating.
Check out my 3 Tips for Differentiating in Math Rotations:
- Start On Grade Level: Start by finding or creating an activity that addresses the standard you are teaching. Then, differentiate it by creating a version that is less difficult for students who need more support to get started (I often use smaller equations or less difficult word problems) and a version that challenges your students who have mastered the standard A great example of this is my Tic-Tac-Product multiplication practice activity. I started by creating the tic-tac-product board that was on grade level. Then, I created different tic-tac-toe boards to meet the needs of different students. Some of these boards just have equations, while some have word problems and then they are differentiated further by the amount of digits for each problem too.
- Color Code or Use Binder Clips: I used to spend time at the beginning of math rotations every day, handing out the correct activities and worksheets to each group to make sure they were working on the correct activity. I realized that this was a lot of time wasted and a lot more work on me. So, I started to color code everything for my different groups or use a binder clip for that group if I did not want to use so much color paper. TIP: Use the same color for each group with everything. For example, my square group was always yellow. The bucket I put materials in for them was yellow, the binder clip I used for them was yellow and the directions on the board had yellow by them. This makes it easier for you and much less confusing for your students.
- Use Different Problems, but the Same Strategies to Differentiate your Small Groups: Each week, I would print of different word problems to use in my small groups that week. I would generally use the same word problems for all of my groups (TIP: print out a couple less difficult and more difficult word problems to have on hand if you need them too). Then, I would plan my groups based on what the group needed. For example, I may do the same word problems with all 3 groups, but guide my group with more support using manipulatives or graphic organizers to help them get started and have my group who needs less support solve independently and then explain their answers to one another. Then, other days, I may use different word problems (sorted by difficulty) to teach the same strategy to each group. In my Upper El. Teacher’s Guide to Math Rotations, I will be going more in depth on how I differentiate in my small groups and giving some additional examples.
Would you like to hear more about these ideas and other ideas for easily differentiating in your math rotations? I will be talking a lot more in depth and providing some resources in my Upper El. Teacher’s Guide to Math Rotations that will be released soon. Click the button below to sign up for the waiting list.
