Students benefit from student grouping arrangements that vary. The intrapersonal child prefers working alone, but should, at different times, be a part of a group. Groupings of two, three or four students work best because each child is allowed to be a contributor. When students work in groups, jobs should be assigned so that everyone knows what their responsibilities are. For example, the recorder writes down the groups' thoughts while the reader reads the necessary material to the group.
Teach students how to think by using different levels of instruction. Go beyond the knowledge and comprehension levels of instruction and teach students critical thinking through application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Bloom's taxonomy verbs encourage teachers to differentiate learning through the use of make, design, draw, discover, solve and compare. After reading a passage in a book, second-graders could draw a picture, make a diorama or write a paragraph recalling their favorite scene.
Products can be visual, kinesthetic or auditory. Use concentration cards, trading cards, scrapbook ideas, murals, songs and flipbooks to teach students. Teach science with experiments and social studies with hands-on projects. Videotape students and play tapes back to the class. Provide students with clay, Play-Doh and paper to use while they learn. Games, DVDs and PowerPoints aimed at young students help differ instruction. Dress in character to present lessons to capture the attention of students.
Differentiated learning encourages students to display what they have learned by allowing choices. Students should vary their activities by writing, telling stories, drawing pictures and creating projects. They should participate in large and small group activities, make an art project or share their ideas. Second-graders are able to learn through plays, skits and reader's theaters. Students can also make picture cubes or produce paintings to show what they have learned.