"DI is mostly about what we do ahead of time, not how we interact or conduct the lesson at the time. There are some good aspects going on in the classroom, but that facilitation can only occur with purposeful and thoughtful planning. I can make flexible decisions because I've already prepared the resources or other avenues in anticipation of student needs. Am I always prepared for everything? No way. I get better with time, however."   Rick Wormeli

• Differentiated instruction is a philosophy of teaching that is based on the premise that students learn best when their teachers accommodate the differences in their readiness level, interest, and learning profiles.
• To differentiate instruction is to recognize students varying background knowledge, readiness, language, preferences in learning, interests, and to react responsively. Differentiated instruction is a process to approach teaching and learning for students of differing abilities in the same class. The intent of differentiating instruction is to maximize each student’s growth and individual success by meeting each student where he or she is, and assisting in the learning process. –Tracey Hall, Ph. D., Senior Research Scientist, NCAC
  
• Differentiated instruction is a teaching philosophy based on the premise that teachers should adapt instruction to student differences…. Teachers should modify their instruction to meet students’ varying readiness levels, learning preferences, and interests.
• A BLEND of whole class, group, and individual instruction

• Just modifying grading systems and reducing work loads
• More work for the "good" students and different for the "poor" students
• A replacement of quality curriculum