Teachers who use 4MAT plan instruction for each of four learning preferences over the course of several days on a given topic.
Thus, some lessons focus on mastery, some on understanding, some on personal involvement, and some on synthesis.
As a result, each learner has a chance to approach the topic through preferred modes and also to strengthen weaker areas.
(McCarthy, B., 2007) found in Differentiation, Wormeli, R., P. 74, Stenhouse Publishers
These are personalized lists of tasks that a student must complete in a specified time, usually two to three weeks.
Student agendas throughout a class will have similar and dissimilar elements.
With this strategy, work assignments are written on cards that are placed in hanging pockets.
By asking students to select a card from a particular row, you target work toward student needs, while allowing student choice.
This strategy encourages you to assess students before beginning a unit of study or development of a skill.
Students who do well on the preassessment do not continue work on what they already know.
This strategy uses challenging materials, open-ended tasks, and small instructional groups.
You move among the groups as they work, asking students questions and probing their thinking.
Gardner (1995) proposes student exploration of a given topic through as many as 5 avenues:
- Narration (presenting a story)
- Logical-quantitative (using numbers or deduction)
- Foundational (examining philosophy and vocabulary)
- Aesthetic (focusing on sensory features)
- Experiential (hands-on)
These independent investigations, generally lasting three to six weeks, revolve around some facet of the curriculum.
Students select their own topics, and they work with guidance and coaching from you.
This strategy places students in the active role of solving problems in much the same way adult professionals perform their jobs.
Using stations involves setting up different spots in the classroom where students work on various tasks simultaneously. These stations invite flexible grouping because not all students need to go to all stations all the time.