One of the most spectacular tools teachers have at their disposal is the use of graphic organizers. Every subject that is presented has the ability to be differentiated. If we ask our students to use a graphic organizer we have many different options when it comes to differentiation.
1) Assistance from their peers.
When appropriate teachers may ask that one student work along side another in an attempt to complete their graphic organizer. This provides both a learning and mentoring environment benefiting both parties.
2) Assistance from the teacher.
Some activities may lend to the teacher assisting a student in completing their graphic organizer. This may be best when a student needs the additional personal instruction to understand a concept.
3) An Answer sheet.
Though this is not the best option in all cases it may be appropriate based upon the student.
As a teacher we know the tools each student should know we often forget about the tools that help us teach. Differentiation tools change by the day based upon the students and their abilities.
Will you also be investigating the strategy of providing different graphic organizers for getting at the same target objective? For instance, teaching group of students how to use a simple venn diagram to compare and contrast, adding on another concentric circle to the simple venn diagram of a more advanced group, and giving a different type altogehter, of a "compare & contrast" graphic organizer to the most advanced group. If you are in this group, please be sure to extend your presentation to assigning different graphic organizers to different kids, based on readiness, or on interest. 5 pts.
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