Tiered Instructions


Subject Grade Differentiated: Tiered Instruction Samples:
Ethics HS

Content, Product 

Ethical Decision Making 
Language Arts MS Content, Product

Biographies 

Language Arts MS Process, Product

Persuasive Essay 

Independend writng Rubric

Math MS Process 

Algebraic Word Problems

Algebraic Word Problems2

Math MS Process Vacation Math 
Math MS Content, Process Measurement 
Math-Statistics HS Process, Product Statistics-ConsumerData
Math & Science MS Process Math with Force, Motion, Energy 
Physics HS Content, Process Physics in Everyday Life 
Science MS Product  MammalsEvolution
Science MS Process  DNA
Science MS Content, Process, Product Matter
Science MS Product Dinosaurs
Science  HS Process  Chemistry 
Science HS Content, Process Physics
Science  HS  Process  Structured_Matter 
Social Studies Elem Process,Product Pioneers 
Social Studies MS/HS Content, Process, Product  Primary Sources
Social Studies  HS  Process, Product  Constitution With Rubric
Social Studies HS Process, Product Cold War with Rubric

 

Tiered Instructions:

Based on work by Carol Ann Tomlinson

Powerpoint from: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/.../TieredInstr.ppt

Basic Information from http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/dvs/staff/cmccallum/differentiation/tiered.pdf

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Tiered Assignments

In a differentiated classroom, a teacher uses varied levels of tasks to ensure that students explore ideas and use skills at a level that builds on what they already know and encourages growth. While students work at varied degrees of difficulty on their tasks, they all explore the same essential ideas and work at different levels of thought. Groups eventually come together to share and learn from each other.

Tiered assignments should be:

Basic Tiered Activity

Example: Completing a Character Map

 

Tier 1. (Low)

Describe:

-How the character looks

-What the character says

-How the character thinks or acts

-The most important thing to know about the character

 

Tier 2. (Middle)

Describe:

-What the character says or does

-What the character really means to say or do

-What goals does the character have

-What the character would mostly like us to know about him or her

-What changes the character went through

 

Tier 3. (High)

Describe:

-Clues the author gives us about the character

-Why the author gives these clues

-The author’s bottom line about this character

 

Tiered Activities

Tiering can be based on challenge level, complexity, resources, outcome, process, or product. (Heacox, 2002)

 

1. Tiering by Challenge Level:

Use Bloom’s taxonomy as a guide to develop tasks at various

challenge levels.

Example:

Elementary activities for book talk presentations.

 

Lower levels of Blooms:

 

Higher levels of Blooms:

 

2. Tiering by Complexity:

 

When you tier by complexity, you provide varied tasks that address a student’s level of readiness, from introductory levels to more abstract, less concrete, advanced work. Be careful to provide advanced work to the higher level student, rather than just more work.

 

Example:

After whole group class reading of a current events issue in the Time for Kids magazine such as global warming, students complete a related activity differentiated by complexity.

 

Tier one:

using jingles, slogans, or art to convey why global warming is a problem

and what people can do to prevent it.

 

Tier two:

questions and decide how to report their results such as with charts or in a newscast.

 

Tier three:

credible evidence to support their opinions and arguments.

 

3. Tiering by Resources:

 

Use materials at various reading levels and complexity to tier by resources. Students using tiered resources may be engaged in the same

activity, (such as find five examples of contributions made by Native Americans ), or they may be working on a different, but related activity. (such as one group researching plants of the desert, while another

researches animals of the desert).

 

4. Tiering by Outcome:

 

Students all use the same materials, but what they do with the

materials is different.

 

Example: Pattern block Math

 

Tier one:

Tier two:

Tier three:

 

5. Tiering by Process:

 

Students work on the same outcomes, but use a different process to get there.

Example: What are the characteristics of a hero?

 

Tier one:

Tier two:

Tier three:

6. Tiering by Product:

Groups are formed based on learning preference, using Gardner’s multiple intelligences.

Example: For a unit on the solar system, Study of rotation and revolution

of the earth.

 

Tier one:

Tier two:

the moon and sun. (bodily-kinesthetic)

Tier three:

 

References:

Heacox, D. (2002). Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing Inc.

Tomlinson, C. (1999). The Differentiated Classroom, Responding to the Needs of All Learners. Alexandria, VA: Association for

Supervision and Curriculum Development, (ASCD).

 

Tiered Activity Resources:

For more ideas and specific tiered activities that you can use in your classroom, check out the following resources, available in the PACE

department at Derry Village School:Coil, C. (2004). Standards-Based Activities and Assessments for the

Differentiated Classroom. Pieces of Learning.

 

Davidson, K. and T. Decker. (2006). Bloom’s and Beyond: Higher Level Questions and Activities for the Creative Classroom. Pieces

of Learning.

 

Heacox, D. (2002). Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing Inc.

Tomlinson, C. (2003). Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and

Curriculum Development, (ASCD).

 

Witherell, N. and M. McMackin. (2002). Graphic Organizers and Activities for Differentiated Instruction in Reading. New York, NY:

Scholastic.

 

The following web sites can provide further information and examples.

 

Best Practices: Instructional Strategies and Techniques

http://www.saskschools.ca/curr_content/bestpractice/tiered/index.html

 

Tiered Lesson Plans

http://www.doe.in.gov/exceptional/gt/tiered_curriculum/welcome.html 

 

Tiered Instruction

http://www.derry.k12.nh.us/dvs/staff/cmccallum/differentiation/tiered.pdf