Each of your students is unique—and so is the way they learn! Some kids might like to experience lessons with their hands, while others just can’t seem to pay attention unless they’re singing and dancing their way through the school day. Find out how to make learning successful (and fun) this year for all students using differentiated instruction.

What is differentiated learning?

ASCD defines differentiated instruction as an approach to teaching in which educators actively plan for students' differences so that all students can best learn. In a differentiated classroom, teachers divide their time, resources, and efforts to teach students with various backgrounds, skill levels, and interests effectively.

What are the different learning styles?

• Visual 
• Tactile
• Auditory
• Kinesthetic
   

It’s all about holding your students’ interest! Children learn best when they are having FUN. Here’s how to apply differentiated instruction to your handwriting lessons:

Visual – Visual learners need colorful illustrations to keep them motivated to learn. Show your students our letter formation videos in the Integrated Print and Digital Solution, keep your classroom walls plastered with posters and decorations that keep with your classroom theme, and try our Color Print & Number Wall Cards. Our K–5 handwriting student editions include simple, black and white illustrations that allow visual learners to use their imaginations to color and add detail to the pages.  

Tactile – Tactile learners want to roll up their sleeves and get their hands working! Provide your tactile learners with manipulatives like play dough to form their letters and numbers.

Auditory – Do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti! Auditory learners are stimulated by music and fun noises. Try using different, silly voices to teach letter formation. Auditory learners will be sensitive to your vocal changes in the high, deep, raspy, and goofy voices you can come up with and will better absorb the material this way. 

Kinesthetic – Kinesthetic learners want to get moving! These active learners want to move their body. Music and dancing are effective for these learners. Try our Door Tracing and Stomp Your Feet activities to get these students standing up and excited to learn.

School-to-Home Connections

Differentiated instruction means reaching all learners—and their families!

Communicate with Families

Back to School Night shouldn’t be the only time you communicate with families. Whether it’s sending home letters or using technology to share progress reports, quick, yet frequent, updates about your students’ progress will keep everyone informed and involved.

Reach More Students With Free Resources

Share our free resources with your students’ families to support differentiated learning at school and at home! Whether you watch a webinar to get ideas on how to differentiate your instruction or you explore our activity downloads, you’ll find inspiration to meet the needs of every student in your classroom.

Formative Assessments for Differentiated Learning 

Part of successful differentiated instruction is to identify each student’s unique strengths to meet them where they are developmentally. The Screener of Handwriting Proficiency is free and provides insightful data on students through formative and summative assessments. In 10–15 minutes, you’ll receive personalized learning strategies targeted to your students’ areas of need. You can then use this information to differentiate your instruction.

Find the products you need to support classroom instruction here.