Final 2 lesson plans

REVIEWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENTIATION, ACCOMMODATIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS

Differentiation is not the same as accommodations or modifications. It means intentionally planning and delivering instruction in ways that address the diverse readiness levels, learning preferences, and interests of all students. You might vary how students engage with the lesson (e.g., flexible grouping, tiered tasks, varied questioning), but the learning goals stay the same for all students. Refer to TL 410 Differentiating Instruction and CR 303 Special Populations in the classroom for more support.

���� Accommodations

Accommodations are supports that change how a student learns or shows what they know, without changing the learning expectations. They are designed to reduce barriers caused by a disability or language need and are matched to the student’s specific skills or access needs. Examples include: learning aids, graphic organizers, oral administration, extra time, or assistive technology.

���� Modifications Modifications change what a student is expected to learn. This could involve simplifying content, reducing the number of tasks, or using alternate materials at a lower grade level. Modifications are used when a student’s disability significantly impacts their ability to meet grade-level expectations, even with accommodations and differentiated instruction.

Each lesson is scored based on how you plan for differentiation, accommodations, and modifications to meet the needs of different types of learners. This means considering:

• Process – How students learn: Adjust your teaching to support different learning styles, English learners, and students with learning disabilities.

• Content – What students learn: Provide support or challenge based on student readiness.

• Product – How students show learning: Allow students to demonstrate their understanding in different ways.

• Environment – Where and with whom students learn: Make changes to the physical or social learning space—like offering quiet areas, flexible seating, or strategic grouping—to help students feel comfortable and focused.