Appendix E: Differentiation
Throughout the lesson, teachers can differentiate through content, process, product and learning environment according to students' readiness, interest and learning profile. Teachers may incorporate a variety of differentiation strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles.
Activity 2: Endangered Animals Research
Endangered Animals Graphic Organizer (Engineering Portfolio page 1)This activity can be completed in cooperative groups (jigsaw strategy). Keep in mind the strengths of students as you create both the STEM and expert groups. Divide students into their STEM groups of four. (See Working with STEM Teams)
Assign each member of the group one of the four resources from the Endangered Species Research activity. At this point the groups will split into expert groups. Members of each STEM team who were assigned, for example, the Why Save Endangered Species? Brochure, will meet together. Together, those members will become experts on their research and take notes in their own graphic organizer. (Engineering Portfolio page 1)
When the research is finished, the experts will return to their STEM groups. Each expert should share what he/she learned from their research. Consider having each STEM team create a master graphic organizer with each member adding facts. Each member of the STEM team should ensure that they understand the impacts of all the environmental issues. If there are questions that cannot be answered, the STEM member can regroup with their expert group to find the answer.
Activity 10: Identify Constraints
Your Challenge: Design a Nest Box (Engineering Portfolio page 6)For students who may have difficulty, you may provide them with a set of minimum dimensions for building their nest boxes rather than asking them to obtain this information through research.
For more ideas on differentiation, read these tips: Working With Readers at Different Levels (PDF).
