Differentiation

Differentiated Instruction

This part of the Franklin system helps teachers move students through support, core, and extension pathways without losing clarity, structure, or high expectations.

Back to Full System Menu Boards Implementation Calendar

Support Path

Use visuals, modeling, reduced complexity, guided notes, sentence stems, and teacher conferencing.

Core Path

Students complete grade-level tasks with structured discussion, accountability, and active practice.

Extension Path

Students analyze, create, justify, compare, critique, or apply skills in more open-ended ways.

Teacher Planning Guide

Element Support Core Extension
Directions Short, chunked, modeled Clear and standard Open-ended, student-led
Content Reduced complexity, visuals Grade-level target Additional challenge or transfer
Output Guided response, oral or scaffolded Standard task completion Extended written, creative, or analytical product
Teacher Role Coach closely Monitor and redirect Confer and deepen thinking

Best Practices

  • Color-code pathways so students can recognize their task set quickly.
  • Use menu boards to deliver multiple levels of rigor without isolating students.
  • Connect each pathway to one shared learning goal so the class remains unified.
  • Use Clock Buddy talk before independent tasks to increase access and confidence.