The art and science of becoming a flexible and effective teacher of all students.
This is a three-day course running on Wednesday 3 April, Wednesday 8 May and Thursday 15 August 2019.
Differentiation is a vital skill for all teachers in Australian classrooms, where the range of student abilities, interests and needs are so varied, including students with disability and those who may be gifted and/or talented. Teachers are now expected to differentiate and personalise learning to cater for the full range of abilities in their classrooms, however many are asked to this with limited training, or without knowing how to connect differentiated practice to other aspects of teaching. Teachers who are highly skilled in differentiation are those who can ensure all students are learning and making progress. In order for differentiated practice to be effective, it must be systematic and the lens through which other teacher tasks, such as assessment and program design, are practiced.
Who should attend?
This course is appropriate for primary and secondary teachers, coordinators and curriculum leaders who want a comprehensive understanding of the evidence for and how to differentiate for diverse abilities, and how to do this effectively and efficiently. Participants will look at the practical aspects of differentiation including how to ensure it is systematic, and closely connected to assessment, program design and classroom practice. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and share ideas, participate in practical planning, and have the chance to implement goals in between each day. In order to effectively promote and lead differentiation, school leaders need to have a clear understanding of differentiation and what it looks like in practice. All workshop activities will be differentiated for difficulty/confidence levels and area of teaching, and participants are encouraged to attend with a school leader or colleague from their teaching team.
What to expect.
Day One
Exploring definitions, the research, ACARA advice and Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Understanding levels of thinking and models of differentiation. Understanding students and their needs - what different students need from differentiation (gifted & talented, disability etc). Pre and formative assessment (including ongoing and flexible assessment).
Workshop activity: Designing pre and/or formative assessment, data collection strategies, and using pre and formative data to adjust teaching and learning.
Day Two
Applying key principles in the classroom – flexible grouping and respectful language. Strategies to plan differentiated activities & tasks – tiered tasks, learning objectives, success criteria. Using available resources including SCSA Judging Standards to plan differentiation. Making it work in the classroom - behaviour management and working independently.
Workshop activity: Embedding differentiation into your class, lesson, success criteria, task, project, assessment, and so on.
Day Three
Exploring barriers to differentiation. Strategies to engage learners at all levels – essential questions, inquiry and Passow’s Rule. Designing differentiated programmes and units of work. Assessment, student feedback and reporting. Collecting, recording and communicating measures of student growth.
Workshop activity: Designing a differentiated program for a unit of work.
Cost.
$495 per person OR $2,025 for a group of five. Morning tea and lunch provided. Contact us for a custom quote for groups larger than 10.
Contact.
For more information, contact admin@growingupgreatness.com or call 0432 179 629.