Differentiated reading comprehension is important now more than ever. Without differentiation, students will struggle (or be bored) and may have difficulty in paying attention to instruction. By differentiating, we can provide each student the support they need.

Understanding Differentiated Reading Comprehension

Differentiated reading comprehension means that you are providing each student what they need to be successful and show growth. You are providing scaffolds and supports that help each learner show what they have understood from the material. As students get older, it can be challenging to find (or make) differentiated reading comprehension activities that aren’t ‘baby-ish’. No 10 year old wants to be reading short stories about a ‘fat cat on a mat’ while his peers are reading full page passages.

Meeting Diverse Skill Levels in the Classroom with Differentiated Reading Comprehension

We know there are tons of students in our rooms, each with their own needs. What if I told you, you could have materials that were all on the same topic but differentiated for each students individual needs. Students would all be completing similar work, which allows them to boost their confidence.

But, how do I do that? You’re wondering.

I get it. It’s hard. Small groups are by far the best (and easiest) way for me to do differentiation. It takes classroom management and organization to get there, but once you do, it will make your life so much easier. By working in small groups, I can work with students at their level. Plus, as an upper elementary teacher, it builds independence in the groups NOT working with me.

Increasing Student Engagement and Motivation

Pretend you are in an organic chemistry class taught entirely in Chinese. I’m willing to bet you would have 0 idea of what was going on in that classroom. Would you be focused? Or, would you be off task and/or disruptive? Be honest.

Better yet, would any amount of the instructor threatening you with a consequence or offering an incentive make you suddenly understand the topic? Probably not.

And yet, that’s what we do to some of our kids. No amount of bribing (or punishing) is going to suddenly make Johnny understand cause and effect. We have to explicitly teach it in language that he understands.

Differentiation provides that student engagement because we can use vocabulary that makes sense to the group and provide more (or less support).

Integrating Assessment with Differentiation

Ok, so you’ve taught your unit. You’ve done all of the things. Now it’s time for data, right?

So after we did all of the differentiation, do all of your students still take the same assessment?

In my room, the answer is “no!”.

Ready to give differentiated reading comprehension a try, but now sure where to start?

I’ve got you. Try starting with this freebie – it has everything you need for one whole week of reading small groups. It is perfect for students in fourth or fifth grade. I think you’ll find it super easy to use (it’s no prep!) and that your students will look forward to reading small groups again. And, you might start looking forward to them, too!

Looking for more? Don’t worry, I’ve got you there also! Check out the year round bundle of reading comprehension packets. This has everything you need for 48 weeks of differentiated reading comprehension. Just print and go!