Differentiation in Practice
Saturday August 3, 2024 9:00am - 1:00pm
Iles School, Springfield IL
Registration closes July 26, 2024
This 4 hour in-person workshop will focus on the Tomlinson model of differentiation with special emphasis on using Tomlinson's Equalizer to develop tiered learning tasks to meet varied levels of student readiness. Teachers who have advanced learners in the general education classroom will develop learning tasks that will challenge advanced students as well as tasks that are appropriate for typical learners and students in need of more support. Teachers who provide instruction primarily to gifted/talented learners will develop learning tasks that are designed to provide a high level of cognitive challenge to G/T students.
The workshop will begin with a brief overview of the Tomlinson model of differentiation and then delve more deeply into an analysis of standards-based tiered tasks that have been differentiated using Tomlinson's Equalizer. Sample tasks at all grade levels - kindergarten through grade 8 - and in all core subjects - math, social studies, ELA, and science - will be provided.
Significant workshop time will be devoted to supporting teachers in applying this learning to either the analysis and remodeling of existing learning tasks aligned to the participant's curriculum and/or designing new learning tasks aligned to the participant's curriculum. Participants will have an opportunity to provide and receive "critical friends" feedback for improvement from other participants regarding the learning tasks that they remodel or design.
Teachers will leave the workshop with well-designed, standards- based tiered learning tasks that can be readily implemented with their students.
Participants Should Bring:
1. Lessons, units that can be reviewed and remodeled.
2. Curriculum materials that can guide the design of differentiated, tiered learning tasks, including high-level tasks to challenge G/T learners.
3. Documents that will be sent to participants - download to your computer or print out.
4. Snacks and drinks to enjoy.
Be sure to dress in layers for your comfort during the workshop.
Workshop Presenter Biographies:
Denise Kuchta - Denise Kuchta is the Coordinator for Gifted, as well as the Mathematics Instructional Coach at Queen Bee School District 16, where she re-established the gifted program in 2015-2016. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with students in grades 3-8, specializing in mathematics, gifted education and acceleration for math and English/Language Arts, and special education and interventions.
Kenyatta Revelle - Kenyatta Revelle is the Principal of Iles School (Gifted Magnet School Grades 1-8 and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Grades 1-5) in Springfield Public Schools District #186. She has 19 years of experience working as an educator and administrator of gifted children.
Kim Freitag - Kim is a retired educator currently working as a consultant and serving with Denise and Kenyatta as an IAGC Education Committee Tri-Chair. Kim earned her BA from Marquette University and MSEd and EdD from NIU. She has worked as a classroom teacher, building administrator, district administrator, and gifted program coordinator in US public and parochial schools and in international schools in Berlin, Germany and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Kim enjoys travel, playing steel pan, ringing hand bells, and pickleball.
