3 Questions with Gina Byrd-Phelps
What is Differentiated Instruction?
@gina_phelps
Dr. Mike Robinson, host of 3 Questions interviewed Gina Byrd-Phelps, Peer Assistance and Review Consulting Teacher, Office of Employee Performance and Evaluation for Prince George's County Public Schools.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is differentiated instruction?
Gina Byrd-Phelps: In EdSpeak: A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzwords, and Jargon, Diane Ravitch defines differentiating instruction as a form of instruction that seeks to "maximize each student's growth by recognizing that students have different ways of learning, different interests, and different ways of responding to instruction. "In practice, it involves offering several different learning experiences in response to students' varied needs. "Educators may vary learning activities and materials by difficulty, so as to challenge students at different readiness levels; by topic, in response to students' interests; and by students' preferred ways of learning or expressing themselves" (p. 75).
Dr. Mike Robinson: Please share a few strategies for differentiated instruction.
Gina Byrd-Phelps: I immerse myself in research-based practices in order to build the professional capacities of my teachers, my students and myself. There are several strategies to use when differentiating instruction. First and foremost, you must know your students and how they learn best. When teaching any content area, there is no one approach to reach all students. Teachers can create flexible grouping based on interests and or skill level so that students are working in a group on topics that are relevant to their interests and at a pace that is comfortable to them. Choice boards are another strategy. Throughout the day, students should be presented with a choice with respect to specific content-based learning activities suitable to students’ various modalities. For example, a student is being taught poetry. A teacher can present a myriad of ways in which students can express themselves for assessment. One student may want to write a poem, another student may want to perform a rap version of their poem, and another students may want to paint a poem. All methods would be acceptable based on the learner.
Dr. Mike Robinson: How or what ways does differentiated instruction improve student achievement?
Gina Byrd-Phelps: Differentiated instruction improves student achievement through motivation and relevance. Students should advocate for their learning and how they choose to approach content. Traditional methodology and the days of standing in front of a classroom talking to students are long gone. Students require a teacher who is a facilitator and can be savvy in bringing the content to students in a way that spans the multiple intelligences and meets students where they are. Individualized and intentional instruction taught with fidelity becomes purposeful and relevant to students.
Works Cited
Differentiated Instruction for Reading | Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/differentiated-instruction-reading
Jones, L. (n.d.). 6 Differentiation Strategies For New Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2015/04/01/6-differentiation-strategies/
Miller, A. (n.d.). Six Strategies for Differentiated Instruction in Project-Based Learning Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/differentiated-instruction-strategies-pbl-
andrew-miller
Walker-Wied, J., Forjan, K. M., & Strike, K. (0). Ravitch, Diane. Edspeak A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzword and Jargon. Alexandria, Va: Association
for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2007.
BIO:
Mrs. Gina Byrd-Phelps was born to teach! As a product of the Prince George’s County Public School System, she takes pride in returning to pave the way for future scholars. She is a transformational teacher leader and charismatic educator who is a champion for teachers and students in the Prince George’s County Public School System. Mrs. Byrd-Phelps seeks to transform education with innovative ideas in leadership, digital learning, cultural relevancy in curriculum design, and building teacher capacity. Mrs. Byrd-Phelps is passionate about advocating for equity and access in education for all students. She currently works in the Office of Employee Performance and Evaluation as a Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Consulting Teacher. She has been making a difference in the lives of students for over fourteen years. You can reach Mrs. Byrd-Phelps, also known as “PDLady”, on Twitter by using the handle @gina_phelps.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What is differentiated instruction?
Gina Byrd-Phelps: In EdSpeak: A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzwords, and Jargon, Diane Ravitch defines differentiating instruction as a form of instruction that seeks to "maximize each student's growth by recognizing that students have different ways of learning, different interests, and different ways of responding to instruction. "In practice, it involves offering several different learning experiences in response to students' varied needs. "Educators may vary learning activities and materials by difficulty, so as to challenge students at different readiness levels; by topic, in response to students' interests; and by students' preferred ways of learning or expressing themselves" (p. 75).
Dr. Mike Robinson: Please share a few strategies for differentiated instruction.
Gina Byrd-Phelps: I immerse myself in research-based practices in order to build the professional capacities of my teachers, my students and myself. There are several strategies to use when differentiating instruction. First and foremost, you must know your students and how they learn best. When teaching any content area, there is no one approach to reach all students. Teachers can create flexible grouping based on interests and or skill level so that students are working in a group on topics that are relevant to their interests and at a pace that is comfortable to them. Choice boards are another strategy. Throughout the day, students should be presented with a choice with respect to specific content-based learning activities suitable to students’ various modalities. For example, a student is being taught poetry. A teacher can present a myriad of ways in which students can express themselves for assessment. One student may want to write a poem, another student may want to perform a rap version of their poem, and another students may want to paint a poem. All methods would be acceptable based on the learner.
Dr. Mike Robinson: How or what ways does differentiated instruction improve student achievement?
Gina Byrd-Phelps: Differentiated instruction improves student achievement through motivation and relevance. Students should advocate for their learning and how they choose to approach content. Traditional methodology and the days of standing in front of a classroom talking to students are long gone. Students require a teacher who is a facilitator and can be savvy in bringing the content to students in a way that spans the multiple intelligences and meets students where they are. Individualized and intentional instruction taught with fidelity becomes purposeful and relevant to students.
Works Cited
Differentiated Instruction for Reading | Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/differentiated-instruction-reading
Jones, L. (n.d.). 6 Differentiation Strategies For New Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2015/04/01/6-differentiation-strategies/
Miller, A. (n.d.). Six Strategies for Differentiated Instruction in Project-Based Learning Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/differentiated-instruction-strategies-pbl-
andrew-miller
Walker-Wied, J., Forjan, K. M., & Strike, K. (0). Ravitch, Diane. Edspeak A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzword and Jargon. Alexandria, Va: Association
for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2007.
BIO:
Mrs. Gina Byrd-Phelps was born to teach! As a product of the Prince George’s County Public School System, she takes pride in returning to pave the way for future scholars. She is a transformational teacher leader and charismatic educator who is a champion for teachers and students in the Prince George’s County Public School System. Mrs. Byrd-Phelps seeks to transform education with innovative ideas in leadership, digital learning, cultural relevancy in curriculum design, and building teacher capacity. Mrs. Byrd-Phelps is passionate about advocating for equity and access in education for all students. She currently works in the Office of Employee Performance and Evaluation as a Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Consulting Teacher. She has been making a difference in the lives of students for over fourteen years. You can reach Mrs. Byrd-Phelps, also known as “PDLady”, on Twitter by using the handle @gina_phelps.