SHOW NOTES

Key Takeaways

• Fair does not mean equal. Differentiation ensures every student gets what they need to succeed.
• Traditional ability grouping and tracking are outdated. Inclusive educators create classrooms where all students engage in meaningful learning experiences together.
• Pushback against differentiation is common. Whether it’s students, parents, or fellow educators, having clear ways to explain differentiation is essential.
• The Emergency Room Analogy helps clarify fairness. Just like medical care is based on need, instruction should be tailored to individual learners.
• Students, educators, and even families need this conversation. Differentiation should be explained early and reinforced often.

Episode Download/Handout

Get the Differentiation Activity & 21 Ways to Talk About It at inclusiveschooling.com/download42. Inside, you’ll find:

• The “What’s Fair?” Emergency Room Activity— A ready-to-use lesson for explaining fairness and differentiation​
• 21 simple ways to talk about differentiation with students, families, and colleagues​
• Examples of how to adapt the activity for younger learners or professional development​
• A step-by-step guide for facilitating meaningful discussions on fairness​

Highlights from the Handout

• Julie’s Favorite: Fairness means giving each person what they need to succeed, not giving everyone the same.​
• Kristie’s Favorite: Learning is like climbing a mountain— some of us take different paths, but we all reach the top.​