Early Language & Literacy KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Early Language and Literacy KnowledgeBase is an online resource supporting language and literacy development in early learners from birth through age eight. Its focus is to support parents and caregivers in helping early learners with their language and literacy development, and teachers in enhancing their instruction for early learners from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3.

Task 2: Differentiate Instruction

Guideline: As noted by the Council for Exceptional Children, "Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach in which teachers adapt their instruction to student differences." Educators of early learners should be aware of strategies associated with differentiated instruction. This task provides resources on differentiating instruction for early learners.

resources

PRACTICAL TIPS

A Look at Differentiating Instruction: Tips for Teachers

This link to the Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement's February 2009 Newsletter provides differentiated instructional tips for teachers. Educators of early learners may find the content useful in gaining an understanding of differentiated instruction.

TOOLS

Differentiated Instruction/Responsive Teaching

This link to the Tennessee Early Grades Reading Toolkit provides resources on differentiated instruction/responsive teaching.

REFERENCES

Differentiating Instruction

Authored by Scott Willis and Larry Mann, this article describes how differentiated instruction provides manageable ways to meet individual student needs.

Differentiating Instruction in the Preschool Classroom: Bridging Emergent Literacy Instruction and Developmentally Appropriate Practice

This article is adapted from Purcell, T., & Rosemary, C. (2007), Differentiating instruction in the preschool classroom: Bridging emergent literacy instruction and developmentally appropriate practice explores adapting differentiated instruction in the preschool classroom.