Today's teachers are often challenged by the wide variety of student's ability levels and backgrounds in inclusive elementary classrooms. Many educators strive to differentiate instruction to address their students' individual interests, ability levels, and learning profiles. They attempt to adapt their content (what will be taught), process (how it will be taught), and the product (the assessment of the content through culminating projects). Teachers who differentiate instruction engage in curriculum and instruction which considers each student's learning strengths and needs in order to maximize the learning capacity of all the students (Tomlinson, 1999; Tomlinson & Eidson, 2003). This course will teach practical strategies for aspiring classroom teachers to differentiate lessons in order to meet the needs of all students which includes students with exceptional needs to students who are English Language Learners (ELL students). Some of the differentiated instruction strategies that will be taught will include: flexible grouping, RAFTS, WebQuests, anchor activities, tiered instruction, and learning contracts. The current special education legislation, utilizing the Individualized Education Plan (IEP), technology for differentiating, and techniques to make modifications in specific content area classes will be taught as well.

Prerequisites: ECED2100 or Concurrent and Candidacy status

Co-requisite: SPED0302