Excerpt from Differentiating Instruction w/ Technology in K-5 Classrooms. By: Grace E.

Smith and Stephanie Throne

The Nine Categories of Instructional Strategies most likely to help student learn

1) Recognizing Similarities and

Differences. I. Graphic organizer such as the Venn Diagram and Comparison matrix. II.Represent similarities and differences in graphic or symbolic form. III.Sorting , classifying , using metaphor and analogies.

2) Summarizing information and taking notes. I. Beginning , middle , end. II.Clarifying information. III.Teacher prepared and student prepared. IV.Webbing.

3) Reinforcing effort and providing recognition. I. Effective praise and rewards. II.Effort and achievement rubrics and charts. III.Personalizing recognition. IV.Success stories of people who persisted during difficult times..

4) Homework and Practice. I. Planners and organizers. II.Vary student and teacher feed back.

5) Non linguistic representations. A. Creating graphic representation. B. Drawing pictures and pictographs. C. Engaging in Kinesthetic activity. D. Generating mental pictures. E. Making physical models.

6) Cooperative and Collaborative learning groups by ability , interest and other criteria. I. Flexible groups by interest , learning style and readiness. II.Individual and group accountability. III.Vary groups by size and objectives. IV.Think pair share strategy.

7) Setting objectives and providing feedback. I. Learning contracts for achieving specific goals. II.On going assessment. III.Praise IV.Rubrics. V. Self assessment. VI.Student led feedback. VII.Teachers feedback timely , specific and constructive.

8) Generating and Testing Hypothesis. I. Decision making. II.Historical investigation. III.Invention. IV.Making predictions. V. Problem solving.

9) Questions , cues , advanced organizer. I. Advanced organizers. II.Anticipation guides. III.Cubing and think dots activities. IV.KWL charts. V. Pause after asking questions