Differentiation and Working with Mixed attainment Groups
Sue Cowley has taught in the early years, primary and secondary phases, as well as with adults, and so she understands the needs and challenges of the different sectors in terms of differentiation and mixed attainment teaching. The differentiation course can be run as either a twilight (2 hour), a half day option (two sessions), or a full day course, allowing time for future curriculum planning. During this course, Sue uses a combination of training slides, practical demonstrations and group activities to help staff learn how to differentiate more effectively, supporting and challenging all their learners.
During the course, Sue covers the following topics:
During the course, Sue covers the following topics:
- Key principles of differentiation
- Start with the learners
- Getting to know your students
- How does it feel to struggle?
- One task: many levels
- What differing needs are there?
- Practical strategies for support
- Practical strategies for stretch and challenge
- Advice for supporting learners with EAL and SEND
- Making the most of group work
- Group work - rights, roles and responsibilities
- Developing higher order thinking
- Using Socratic questioning to stretch and challenge