5 Tips for Creating a Differentiated Math Classroom

Differentiation is a HUGE buzzword in education right now. Math instruction is constantly changing and teachers are always adapting to keep up. As an undergraduate student, my professors and mentor teachers pushed for us to create differentiated lessons as much as possible. When I started my teaching experiences, I was at the elementary school level. Then, I transitioned to teaching high school math and realized that differentiation is COMPLETELY different at this level. My first year teaching, I struggled to figure out how to reach all of my students. These strategies are the ones that have worked for my classroom. 

1. Differentiated Group Work

This is one of the best ways that I have been able to differentiate in my classroom. My school has block scheduling, so I am able to split my class into three groups. Each group rotates through different stations and I am able to work with one group at a time. During this time, I am able to get an idea of my students strengths and weaknesses. This way it’s easy for me to address each student’s needs!

2. Guided math instruction

Guided notes are a game changer for differentiating in my classroom. They really help the students who have poor fine motor skills. It eliminates the stress of writing the problems down quickly and then trying to follow along. With these notes, the students can either follow along with the problems or move ahead if they understand the concept.

3. Differentiated Activities

All students and classes are different. In one semester, I could teach the same class twice, but have two entirely different paces and structures. I like to use resources that are leveled for different abilities. This Real World Application has one level with prompting questions and structures and another level that leaves more room for interpretation. If I know that an entire class will need the prompting questions, then I will only use one format. However, when students work in small heterogeneous groups, I can give each group the same paper with altered questions. This keeps the differentiated subtle, yet effective.

4. Alternative assessments

Not all students do well with typical tests and quizzes. Finding alternative assessments that are grade level appropriate can be a challenge. For some units, I will give my students a choice of completing an assessment or doing a project. Allowing for choice, gives the students a sense of ownership and increases their engagement. With these alternative projects, the students have the opportunity to show their understanding through a different means. They can also use their resources to help them through the more challenging problems. 

5. Work for early finishers

So often, differentiation is associated with students who are struggling. However, it is so important to consider the students who are excelling as well. If the majority of your class works at a slow pace, but there are a few students who work quickly having a few challenging assignments makes a huge difference. These students are self-sufficient, so you can give them an assignment with little to no explanation and they are good to go! One of my favorite early finisher activities is Math in the Real World: Writing Linear Equations Project. With this assignment, the students use their understanding of linear equations to plan a vacation. It is challenging enough, so that they are engaged, but not too hard that they ask a ton of questions. Here are some of my favorite activities for early finishers:

When differentiating at the high school level, subtlety is key. Teachers need to prevent the opportunity for comparison and shaming as much as possible. Hopefully, some of these strategies will work as well for you classroom as much as they have for mine. 

If you have other strategies, I would love it if you dropped a comment below!