Different Ways to Use Differentiation in Your
Special Education Classroom
Every student is unique, with different needs and different learning styles. As special education teachers with neurodivergent students, we want to make sure that we can deliver our lessons in a way that reaches everyone in class.
That’s where differentiation comes in. You’ve most probably heard about this method. Differentiation is a buzzword not just in special education but in general classrooms as well.
But if we are to be completely honest with ourselves, we might think, “Do I have the time to plan for each student’s needs? How am I supposed to be differentiating for all the students in my classroom with all the levels that they’re at?
It can seem overwhelming, but there are lots of different ways to use differentiation in your special education classroom. Let me show you these strategies!
What is Differentiation in Special Education?
Before we start listing down the ways to use differentiated instruction in your classroom, it’s important that we establish your understanding of differentiation.
How do we define differentiation in special education?
Differentiation is the practice of adjusting the instruction to fit the individual needs of each student. The teacher uses different teaching methods, materials, and assessment techniques for each student instead of using the same method for everyone.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines special education as “an instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.”
This means students with special needs should receive instruction that meets their unique needs and is in line with their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) goals. This is where differentiation comes in.
Each of your students has different IEP goals. When you use differentiation in your special education classroom, you are helping each of your students achieve their learning goals in the most e
The goal is to ensure that all students can access the same lesson in ways that suit their learning styles.
How Do You Practice Differentiation Effectively?
We all know how important differentiation is and how it really does help meet the unique needs of our students. But are you effectively differentiating for all the students in your classroom?
Before you can effectively differentiate, you need to determine what your students actually need instead of assuming what will work best. In short, you really need to know your students.
You can follow this five-step process suggested by the American University School of Education (SOE):
1. Identify the student’s needs.
Know your students. What part is going to be the most challenging for them and what can they do well?
You can do this through analysis of test scores, observation of their behavior and performance in class, and assessment of classwork.
2. Establish educational goals.
Look at your students’ IEPs and set their learning goals according to what they need. This means figuring out what each student should achieve, like improving their reading skills or mastering money math.
3. Adapt how and at what pace to provide instruction.
When you plan your class, change the way lessons are taught and how fast they move. Make a teaching plan that fits each student’s learning style and pace.
For example, some students might benefit from visual aids while others might need more hands-on activities.
4. Assign different types of work.
Differentiation means giving students different assignments based on their unique traits and needs.
But if you have new students, assigning them different types of work is a good strategy for figuring out their characteristics and needs. After doing different tasks, you’ll have an idea of which works well and which isn’t as effective.
5. Evaluate student’s progress toward achieving the lesson goals.
To determine the effectiveness of your instruction, regularly check how well your students are doing in reaching their IEPs.
Observe their work, tests, and overall improvement to see if the teaching methods are effective. If not, you can adjust your approach to better ensure their learning.
Easy Ways to Differentiate Your Curriculum
When it comes to teaching, one size definitely doesn’t fit all, especially for students with special needs. Differentiating the curriculum is all about making sure every student has the chance to learn and succeed.
Differentiation can be practiced in a variety of ways. There are different frameworks for this, such as American educator and author Carol Ann Tomlinson’s model. This is widely used in education to meet the students’ diverse needs in a way that connects with them. This model is divided into three — content, process, and product.
Let’s see how we can differentiate instruction in our Special Ed classroom through this framework!
Differentiating Content
Every student comes to the classroom with different levels of understanding and familiarity with the lesson content. Some might be completely new to the material, some may have a partial grasp, and others might already know it. So, how do you adjust the content for each student?
1. Present your lessons in different ways.
Present lessons in various ways: visually, audibly, and through hands-on activities. This approach caters to different learning styles and is particularly beneficial for special needs students. What’s more, engaging multiple senses enhances learning for all students.
You can have them watch a video lesson, or present visuals or diagrams. You can even use physical activities, and it’s not just for Physical Education subjects. For example, you can teach vocabulary in the form of an active game, where your students will race to arrange jumbled letters.
There are a lot more ways to present your lessons, you just have to think creatively! These activities help make learning more memorable and effective for everyone.
2. Use alternative forms of communication.
For students who are non-verbal or have difficulty speaking, provide other ways to communicate, such as sign language, picture communication systems, or assistive technology. This ensures they can participate and express themselves in class.
3. Adapt your materials.
Don’t just use the traditional board-and-chalk way to teach, use different materials!
Some of your students may have trouble reading or writing, and wouldn’t learn much if you rely on printed resources. Why don’t you use audio materials or read aloud instead? Reading materials aloud can help students who struggle with reading to better understand the content by providing a verbal explanation along with written instructions.
Using a multi-sensory approach can help all students retain information better. You can use real objects, interactive software, videos, or music for your lessons.
4. Provide hands-on activities.
In education, we have the term “learning by doing.” This is where hands-on activities come in. Some lessons are easier to learn when you’re practicing it. Do you think a mechanic learns how to fix a car by just watching a YouTube video and not applying the techniques to an actual car?
Hands-on activities can help students remember what they’ve learned, see it in action, and understand concepts on their terms.
Why not use physical objects like counting blocks to explain math problems? Or set up science experiments that allow your students to explore the topic physically.
5. Use concrete examples.
Speaking of physical objects, another way to differentiate your content is by using different concrete examples, like using real coins when teaching money, or bringing rocks when discussing geology.
Concrete examples can make abstract concepts easier to grasp.
6. Break down lessons into small chunks.
This concept is what we call “chunking.” You provide a step-by-step approach when teaching a lesson, and this helps the students better understand the material.
If you’re teaching about history, you can divide it into smaller segments, focusing on one event at a time. For math, you can break down a complex problem into simpler steps.
7. Use leveled materials.
Create or provide materials at different levels of complexity to meet each student’s needs. For instance, you can make a reading material with different levels. Each will have the same content but with varying levels of difficulty.
This Pharmacy & Reading Prescriptions Lesson is a good example. With three levels, it’s made for differentiated use. This way, all your students can learn the same lesson about pharmacy at their own pace and ability level.
Differentiating the Process
Different students have different learning styles, and it’s important to deliver material in ways that meet these styles. Whether they prefer visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning, giving them options can enhance their understanding and interest!
1. Incorporate different learning styles.
Aside from using different methods in presenting the lesson, you can also mix up the activities using visual aids, auditory instructions, and hands-on activities. This keeps learning fun and interactive for everyone.
You can incorporate visual aids, mind maps, graphic organizers, group discussions, and role-playing. Moreover, you can use technology tools like interactive online lessons to engage various learning styles.
2. Scaffold.
Scaffolding is when a teacher gradually removes their guidance and lets the students learn on their own as they become more competent.
Provide temporary support to help your students reach beyond their current skill level. One way to do this is by modeling how to solve a problem step-by-step before letting the students try it on their own.
3. Provide a to-do checklist.
A to-do checklist can help students stay on task and manage their time effectively by breaking down assignments into smaller, more manageable steps.
4. Use manipulatives.
Manipulatives give students a concrete, hands-on experience, and as explained above, these methods are very helpful for the students’ learning.
After teaching the concept of the lesson, you can let your students continue using these objects until they gain mastery.
5. Collaborate activities.
Do you know that many people learn through social interactions? If you have social students, why not pair or group them for different activities?
Having collaborative work helps your students learn from each other. This is also a great way to practice peer coaching, where you pair a student with a higher understanding of the lesson to someone who needs more support.
6. Allow flexible grouping.
When doing collaborative activities, organize groups by skill level, interest area, or even by random, and don’t stick to the same groupmates for the whole year! Mix up groups often to prevent labeling and allow for different learning experiences.
Differentiating Resources
The product is what students create at the end of a lesson to demonstrate their understanding. Differentiating the resource means offering various ways for students to show what they have learned.
1. Offer multiple options.
Allow students to choose how they complete projects and present their work. Some might prefer creating a poster, while others might prefer writing a report.
Offering them choices allows them to work in a way that suits them best. It also gives them a sense of ownership.
2. Adapt the complexity level.
Break down projects into smaller steps for students who need extra help, or provide more challenging tasks for those who need more of an extra push.
3. Allow Alternative Assignments
Different students have different strengths. Offering alternative assignments gives everyone a chance to showcase their knowledge in a way that works best for them.
For example, let students create a comic strip about their dream job or vocational interests instead of writing an essay. This way, you reach the same learning goal even if they use a different method.
4. Use Varied Assessments
Instead of just using the same-old tests, use different methods to assess your students’ learning progress.
You can use rubrics to assess projects based on clear criteria. Additionally, a portfolio where students can compile different types of work to show their learning progress is also a good idea!
By differentiating your curriculum through the content, process, and product, you can create a more inclusive and effective learning environment for all your students. Each of these strategies helps ensure that every student, regardless of their needs, has the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Remember, differentiation doesn’t mean creating entirely different lessons for each student. It’s about making small adjustments to meet the diverse needs in your classroom.
