Resources for the Classroom Teacher

Flexible Grouping
	Similar-Readiness Groups	Individual Work
What is it?	Students with comparable readiness levels work mutually	Students work, usually at desk, to accomplish activities that concentrate on mastery or expansion of particular concepts
What does it emphasize?	Preassessment and social skills	Content, individual differences
Advantages	Instructional rate can match readiness level; Students use same material and become skilled at same rate	Matches students’ level and pace; permits individual answers
Disadvantages	Could result in labeling students if misused	Can be isolating
Implementation Guidelines	Evade one group working on fun assignment while another completes worksheets	Assignments must differ according to individual readiness levels. Allows for some students working individually, while others receive direct instruction

Tiered Instruction
What is it?	Provides various levels of learning responsibilities within the same unit/topic
What does it emphasize?	Complexity of activities is varied to guarantee that all students discover ideas based on what they already know
Advantages	Students are more successful academically and find it fulfilling
Disadvantages	Resentment from students
Implementation Guidelines	Fair does not mean all students should do the same thing. Begin instruction at the readiness level of the students. Offer assistance at every tier. Encourage high-level thinking at each tier.

Kingore, B., Ph.D. (2008). Differentiation: Simplified, realistic, and effective. Professional Associates Publishing: Austin, TX.

For further investigation, please visit the following sites:

Prufrock Press Inc http://www.prufrock.com/client/client_pages/Modfying_Curriculum.cfm

KidSource Online http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/challenging_gifted_kids.html

Hoagies' Gifted Education Page http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/materials.htm