Differentiated Instruction in the Pottery Classroom

The strategy of using choice boards could be used in all content areas. Specific to my pottery room, I use this idea as I introduce surface design on clay. Students are able to choose a plate, mug, or tile to complete using a minimum of 2 of the 6 surface design techniques that I show them. I actually began using choice after a conversation with a student. I am able to utilize the ideas of Choice Boards and Learning Menus in my classroom. The standards are basic for learning the techniques. I evaluate using a rubric based on the project that they complete in class. The basic challenge with this learning strategy is the same issue that I seem to run into with all differentiation of projects in my classroom, and that is making sure that I have the materials ready for multiple tasks. Because the basic concept with all projects is the same, students will be able to choose the project that they are most interested in and therefore their participation and enthusiasm is usually high.