Differentiated Learning: Language and Literacy Projects That Address Diverse Backgrounds and Cultures

Lori A. Dunn is an ESL teacher and an event coordinator, with a
background in linguistics and education in Okanagan, B.C.

In today’s typical urban classroom, the students reflect diverse
backgrounds and abilities, and all of their needs must be accommodated.
In Differentiated Learning, Kathy Paterson identifies nine common
diversities (Cultural, Linguistic, Religious, Motivational,
Intellectual, Physical, Socio-economic, Behavioural, and Gifted), and
provides today’s overwhelmed teachers with some tools for overcoming
them.

Aimed at diversified classrooms from kindergarten to Grade 9, the
project-based activities in this useful guide are designed to allow all
of the children to interact with both the subject matter and each other
to the best of their individual abilities. Divided into four categories
(comprehension, application, analysis, or synthesis), the activities are
interesting and flexible, allowing teachers to adapt each one to their
specific situation.

For each activity, Paterson recommends curriculum connections, ways to
deal with the various diversities and developmental levels, and ideas on
how to draw on “students’ own diverse, multicultural experience to
enhance every project.” She also includes practical checklists for the
materials needed and the steps required. Differentiated Learning would
be a great tool in any teacher’s arsenal.