Differentiation in the Classroom
Differentiated instruction is the way in which a teacher anticipates to a variety of students' needs in the classroom. To accommodate each student's needs, I will differentiate by modifying the content, the process, and the product.
7 Critical FActors in Brain-Based Learning
Engagement- Engaging each student creates better learning within the classroom.
Repetition- Students need repetition of the content before comprehending it fully. Repetition includes pre-exposure, previewing, priming, reviewing, and revising.
Input Quantity- The amount of information given to students must be given in chunks. This will help the students retain the information better.
Coherence- Activating prior knowledge before introducing new content.
Timing- Understanding that students go through high and low energy cycles helps the teacher plan activities for optimum learning.
Error Correction- According to Jensen, "Making mistakes is key to developing intelligence." Teachers should encourage error correction for students to learn from their mistakes.
Emotional States- Understanding students' emotional states affect their ability to learn is imperative. Jensen says, "The more intense the emotional state, the more likely we are to remember the event."
Example Classroom Floor Plan
I have designed this example classroom floor plan with brain-based learning and differentiation in mind. Ideally, there are many windows allowing for great natural light to come through. I chose to have my door by my teacher work area/small group table to be immediately aware of visitors as well as monitor my students coming and going from the classroom. The student’s desks are in the center of the room, grouped together for optimal cooperative learning. Towards the front of my classroom, I have my smart board and large group meeting rug. With that, I also have my teacher chair and easel for reading books together as a class, and teaching. I placed the cubbies next to my small group table for students to easily access their things at appropriate times. Next to the cubbies, I have storage for other materials, which is directly next to the sink area, in case of needing to get materials to the sink quickly. Next to the sink, I have placed the science/discovery center. This has a water/sand table along with cubbies for science materials. Next to the science/discovery center, I have placed the math center, due to noise. Understanding both centers are particularly loud in noise, placing them next to each other will ensure other learners in quieter centers are not disturbed.