Differentiation Techniques for Mixed-Ability Classes

1. Use Varied Instructional Methods

Not all students learn in the same way, so using a range of instructional methods is essential for reaching diverse learners.

• Primary Schools: Incorporate a mix of hands-on activities, storytelling, group work, and visual aids to engage different learning styles, from kinaesthetic to auditory.
• Secondary Schools: Use a combination of lectures, discussions, multimedia presentations, and project-based learning to cater to students with varying abilities and interests.

Tip: Think about incorporating multimedia resources like videos, podcasts, or interactive games to help explain concepts in different formats.

2. Tiered Assignments

Tiered assignments allow students to work on tasks that are tailored to their ability levels, ensuring that everyone is challenged at the right level.

• Primary Schools: Offer different versions of the same task, such as varying levels of difficulty in a maths worksheet or providing a choice between drawing, writing, or verbally explaining a concept.
• Secondary Schools: For more complex tasks, such as essay writing or science projects, provide scaffolding for students who need more guidance while encouraging advanced students to extend their thinking with higher-level questions or deeper analysis.

Tip: Clearly communicate that the goal is progress, not comparison, so students focus on improving their own skills rather than competing with peers.

3. Flexible Grouping

Group work is a great way to support differentiation in the classroom. By using flexible grouping, you can assign students to different groups depending on their needs for each task or subject area.

• Primary Schools: Rotate between ability groups for targeted support and mixed-ability groups to encourage peer learning. In reading sessions, for instance, higher-level readers can help struggling students.
• Secondary Schools: For group projects, mix abilities so students can take on roles that suit their strengths, whether that's leading a discussion, conducting research, or creating visuals.

Tip: Regularly change groupings to give students the opportunity to work with different classmates and learn from each other’s strengths.

4. Differentiated Questioning

Questioning is a simple but powerful way to differentiate on the spot. You can adjust the complexity of questions based on the student’s ability level, ensuring everyone is involved in class discussions.

• Primary Schools: Ask open-ended questions to higher-ability students to encourage critical thinking, while offering simpler, more concrete questions to others.
• Secondary Schools: Use Bloom’s Taxonomy to guide your questioning, with recall questions for foundational knowledge and more complex "why" or "how" questions for deeper understanding.

Tip: Give students some time to think before they respond to questions. This gives lower-ability students the confidence to answer while encouraging everyone to engage.

5. Personalised Learning Goals

Each student can have individual learning goals that cater to their specific needs, helping them focus on areas of improvement at their own pace.

• Primary Schools: Create simple learning goals for each student, such as improving spelling or mastering times tables, and regularly review progress.
• Secondary Schools: For older students, offer opportunities for self-assessment and goal-setting to foster independence. Personalised targets might include specific improvements in writing, subject knowledge, or problem-solving.

Tip: Encourage students to take ownership of their progress by involving them in setting and reflecting on their goals.

6. Differentiated Resources

Not every student will benefit from the same resources, so providing a variety of materials is an important differentiation strategy.

• Primary Schools: Use different reading materials that are graded by reading level. For instance, give more advanced readers chapter books while offering simple picture books to those who need more support.
• Secondary Schools: Offer a choice of research sources or reading materials for projects, such as articles, podcasts, or videos, to suit different preferences and learning styles.

Tip: Provide students with graphic organisers, visual aids, or simplified instructions to help them access the learning materials at their level.

7. Choice Boards

Choice boards give students autonomy over their learning by allowing them to choose from a variety of activities or projects that suit their interests and abilities.

• Primary Schools: Create a choice board with options such as writing a story, creating a poster, or performing a role play to demonstrate understanding of a topic.
• Secondary Schools: For more advanced classes, allow students to choose how they present their learning—whether through essays, presentations, videos, or creative projects.

Tip: Make sure the choice board offers activities with varying levels of challenge, so students can select tasks that match their ability.

8. Use Technology to Support Differentiation

Technology offers endless possibilities for differentiation, from adaptive learning software to online resources that cater to different levels of ability.

• Primary Schools: Use apps like Kahoot! or Quizlet to create interactive quizzes with varying levels of difficulty, ensuring all students are engaged in the lesson.
• Secondary Schools: Leverage platforms like Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams to provide personalised feedback, set different assignments for groups, and share differentiated learning materials.

Tip: Use adaptive learning tools such as IXL or Khan Academy, which automatically adjust the difficulty of tasks based on the student’s performance.

9. Offer Scaffolded Support

Scaffolding involves breaking down a task into smaller, more manageable parts and gradually removing support as the student gains confidence and independence.

• Primary Schools: Provide sentence starters or word banks for students who struggle with writing, and gradually reduce these supports as their skills improve.
• Secondary Schools: For complex tasks, like essay writing or research projects, offer structured outlines or templates that guide students through the process step by step.

Tip: Model the process of completing a task, whether it’s solving a problem or writing a paragraph, so students can see what success looks like before attempting it themselves.

10. Ongoing Assessment and Feedback

Assessment is not just about grades—it’s a vital part of differentiation. Regularly assessing student progress allows you to adjust your teaching methods and resources to meet their needs.

• Primary Schools: Use formative assessments like quick quizzes, peer assessments, or exit tickets to gauge understanding and adjust your teaching accordingly.
• Secondary Schools: Provide personalised feedback that highlights each student’s strengths and areas for improvement. This helps students know where to focus their efforts.

Tip: Offer verbal feedback during lessons to provide instant guidance and encouragement, especially for students who need more support.

Conclusion

Differentiation techniques are essential for ensuring that mixed-ability classes provide an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. By employing strategies such as tiered assignments, flexible grouping, personalised goals, and the use of technology, teachers and support staff can help every student reach their full potential. With thoughtful planning and a flexible approach, you can make your classroom a place where diverse learners can thrive, no matter their starting point.

What differentiation techniques have you found effective in your classroom?