Appendix F: Differentiation
Throughout the lesson, teachers can differentiate through content, process, product, affect and learning environment according to students' readiness, interest, and learning profile. Teachers may incorporate a variety of differentiation strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles. Suggested strategies include:
- Divide students into small groups, jigsaw style, and assigning each group one or two resources to investigate. Next, facilitate a class discussion in which students summarize the resources they investigated.
- Streamline the meal development challenge by asking students to cut out magazine pictures or create a drawing of a healthy meal rather than actually making the meal from scratch.
- Have students conduct a more detailed nutritional analysis of a typical fast food meal and the healthy meal they prepare.
- In addition to investigating calories and food groups, students could consider whether levels of key nutrients like calcium, fiber and vitamins A, C and E are met, and whether meals are within acceptable limits for sodium, saturated fat and added sugars.
For more ideas on differentiation, read these tips: Working With Readers at Different Levels (PDF).
