[SENco-forum] differentiation inset

Differentiation in my view should be tailored to give independent access to  
education and the role of the TA, where applicable depending on the level of 
the  child, is to support pupils in learning to use these resources when they  
are not there to access the curriculum alone.

Things like:

pre-printed lesson text as used on OHP, takes no time to photocopy frpm the  
OHP film and the pupil can follow while the teacher is speaking...essential 
for  thiose with APD/hearing problems; can also be printed on whichever colour 
paper  suits the child with Irlen/visual perceptual problems with extra 
spacing; can be  magnified for those with vision problems

pre-printed charts to fill in instead of having to waste time drawing them-  
for those with dyspraxia/perceptual/planning difficulties, 

multiplication squares (not allowed in exams I know but the act of just  
using therm may aid reinforcement and help a child remember them, especially if  
colour coded), and helps the child focus on the aspect of maths being  studied 
instead of getting upset by the inability to do tables

story planners, to help them organise their thoughts and not have to wate  
time drawing them

IT skills (have to be taught)

visual/pictorial timetables each year and a school map 

no needless dictation if they cannot do it or copying from books- photocopy  
it for them (these skills, if necessary, can be practised elsewhere, not in a  
hurried mainstream classroom situation where the child gets diostressed and  
falls behind)

As well as  these are the things like cloze procedures instead of answering 
in sentences or  paragraphs (which can be pre-prepared from set texts but can 
be kept on file as  photocopiable masters for future years) these can be used 
in  English,  Science, History and Geography- I know because  I've prepared and 
used them with consecutive years. All it needs is a copy  of each text for 
the resource base/SEN room and someone to type them  out.

Quality not quantity is, to me, a key feature of  differentiation and time 
wasted time drawing and copying "stuff" is time these  children cannot afford. 
Give them accessibility without tears.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Aly

Chair Auditory  Processing Disorder in the UK/APDUK

www.lacewingmultimedia.com/APD.htm 
www.apduk.org