How to engage in differentiated instruction

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 A teaching practice I have implemented is having weekly small group rotations. In this small group instruction students are divided into 3 groups including a technology, group-led activity, and teacher-led assignment. Each student spends approximately 15-20 minutes at each station. Technology including students completing ExactPath, an individualized online platform aligned to Florida Benchmark standards. A group activity aligned with the reading to further develop the knowledge outside of an assessment. Along with my personal favorite, teacher-led group. Where I as an instructor can pull 3-6 students who may need more assistance with understanding the objective. Small group instruction offers several advantages for students. The central focus is to foster a personalized and engaging learning experience. At the beginning of the year, I introduced my students to this idea with explicit instruction, various practices, and an accountable classroom. Mid-semester I received feedback that students really enjoyed the opportunity. It helps create space where students who needed more help could receive individualized instruction from the instructor. Along with students who were excelling in the benchmark being able to lead groups in understanding the material. It has also taught me how to tailor certain needs for my students. The new teaching practice helps match the diverse needs of the group while adding flexibility based on individual learning styles. Typically, I group students base on formative assessments (Ex. Exit Tickets, Class Discussions, Table Talks). In the future, I want to implement dividing students base on learning styles (Ex. Kinesthetic learning, audio, or visual learners). Specifically, in teacher-led group it provides immediate feedback with fewer students. The best part of this teaching practice is building positive reinforcing relationships. Being a teacher at a Title 1 school, the goal is to make the student feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment. The personal connection can positively impact the learning experience and contribute to a learning environment. Overall, small group instruction creates a personalized and interactive learning experience. It caters to the diverse needs of students, encourage collaboration, and allows focused support.