The experts view of differentiation.

The following I took from an article I reviewed "Visible Improvements" Roy Blatchford

Top 10 tips for differentiation

1.Knowing pupils’prior attainment and knowledge of a subject

2. Meticulous tracking of pupils’progress in different skills

3. Thinking through which pupils work best with others, and the optimum size for effective group work

4. Judging when independent learning will best deepen knowledge and understanding

5. Knowing when best to harness the library, Mlm, internet to expand pupils’ thinking

6. Setting up one-to-one catch-up and intervention sessions, before, during and after school

7. Setting meaningful homework, well scaffolded for individual needs

8. Knowing what factor inhibit progress and seeking to remove those barriers promptly

9. Identifying special needs such as poor hand-eye co-ordination, delayed cognitive development,

temporary medical problems

10.Practising‘diKerentiation down’ to ensure higher attainers are extended in their learning

Notes on an Observation.

The following are notes from a lesson I observed looking for different types of differentiation.

Looking into the minds of children...

Horrible teacher.

Nice Teacher

I asked my Drama group who are aged 5-7 to draw their perfect idea of a teacher and their worst nightmare of a teacher during my focus groups...

Nice Teacher

Horrible Teacher 

Elements of an outstanding lesson:

Last Wednesday (17/04/2013) I attended further career devolopment where we discussed the elements of an outstanding lesson. For all you teachers with no ‘formal’ training ill post it up for you.

1. Pupil Engagement
2. Pupils to be aware of their progress/targets-Pupils should know specifically what they have to do.
3. Clear Objectives for the lesson- Possibly write up a learning question.
4. Behaviour for learning being demonstrated- How engaged are the students?
5. Differentiation
6. Assesment/marking up to date
7. Pupil questioning
8. Peer Tutoring

Consent forms..

I thought i'd post my consent form that I used for my Thursday/Saturday school children. I hoped I got all the information accross I needed too but any feedback would be great,
Thanks.

Survey says.........

I have decided to post the response from one of my surveys, the person who filled it in will remain anonomous... I think it is interesting to gain others perspective so i intentionally only sent this to "non-teachers". I also kept it light-hearted, casual and 'fun' to encourage engagement.

1) Did you have a favorite teacher at school? If so why were they your favourite? . Yes I did, although I loved a lot of my teachers. Mrs Lucas, my Art teacher as she was approachable and you could talk to her about anything. She would always have a laugh and when you was down she would pick you up.
 
2) Did you have a better relationship with the teachers that taught your favourite subject?  My favourite subject was Art because of the teacher I think although. My best subject was maths although I didn’t always get on with my teachers; we had a lot of supply teachers. My Dance teacher Miss Payton certainly because who she was, she made the class so good to attend and you looked forward to going.
 
3) was your favourite teacher strict or did they let you gat away with bad behaviour?. My teachers were all strict and you did have respect for them. Firm but fair ones were OK but I did have a chemistry and music teacher that lost control of the classes and we never learnt anything.
 
4) Did you have a teacher who helped you a great deal in a matter outside their subject area?. Yes Mrs Lucas my Art teacher, she made you think about what you wanted to be and if you had fallen out with your best friend or having grief she would advise you. I had my purse nicked at school and I know who did it. And she helped me to cope with it in the proper way instead of just punching the girl’s lights out! And getting myself into trouble.
 
5) What features made you dislike a school teacher? Ones that couldn’t control the classroom
 
6) Did you improve more personally from encouragement or discipline. Encouragement as I didn’t have a lot of confidence at school. But discipline helped as there were a lot of bullies at my school 
 
7) Do you feel that your teachers could of made more effort to encourage you to achieve more. Not that I knew of at the time. But Mrs Lucas defiantly sticks out as she used to do this,
 
8) Did your strict teachers make you nervous to take risks in lesson for fear of failure/getting it wrong, some times if they were too strict you lived in fear of them
 
9) If you were to be a teacher what would your priority be? Firm but fair but Encouragement all the way
 
10) Do you think you excelled in the subjects where you prefered the teacher/ did you take a subject for GCSE/Alevel simply because of the teacher?. No I chose my subjects because of what I was best at but Have to say I was good at them because of the teachers mostly. Maths being the exception, I never liked any of my teachers but I had to do maths anyway as it was compulsory!

Essay Essay Essay....

I tam now tying to piece everything i have learnt and all the information i have gained into this essay.. and its hard. 

In a way i feel that when it comes to invstigating a subject it is best to so something that you're passionate about but when it comes to essay writing it makes it hard to structure. I have posted the following from the handbook for me to keep refering back too.

Part 1: A Critical Review 

Introduction - relevant to the context of the inquiry 

and how it relates to your workplace or community of 

practice 

Evaluation of the Inquiry Process - practitioner 

research tools used (observation, surveys, 

interviews, focus groups), the literature review, the 

ethical implications and other activities undertaken 

as a part of the process (e.g. performances, 

workshops, trying out new strategies, etc.) 

Analysis of Findings - referencing relevant findings 

and significance of inquiry including a discussion of 

the literature in relation to the findings and the 

benefits or implications of any activities undertaken  

Critical Reflection - a critical self-analysis of the 

learning journey based on your learning journal 

The Critical Review should consist of 1 paper spiral 

bound document (11pt, e.g. Ariel, double or 1 and ½ 

spacing) with indicative word counts listed below:  

Title Page 

Introduction – 500 words 

Evaluation of the Inquiry Process – 2500 words 

Analysis of the Findings – 2500 words 

Critical Reflection – 500 words 

Bibliography and Appendices 

Supporting Evidence could consist of appendices 

including: blog texts, visual evidence, blank consent 

form, blank questionnaires, interview questions, 

observation grids, etc. Please note: each appendix 

should be cited (e.g. Appendix 1) in the Critical 

Review (hyperlinks in digital version). Any online 

materials must be accessible (e.g. Word or Pdf) or 

available for download (dated prior to submission 

date).