One Task, Many Doors: A More Effective Way to Differentiate

2026-04-28

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It’s a mistake to assume that good differentiation always means splitting students up into small groups, says Michael McDowell, an author, coach, and former teacher. A more effective approach, he says, is to design rigorous learning routines that unite the whole class—from fast finishers to kids who need extra support—with shared strategies, structures, and thinking moves. Think: Same surface, different deep problems, much more time in the “we do” space, and a big emphasis on high-quality classroom discussion....

It’s a mistake to assume that good differentiation always means splitting students up into small groups, says Michael McDowell, an author, coach, and former teacher.

A more effective approach, he says, is to design rigorous learning routines that unite the whole class—from fast finishers to kids who need extra support—with shared strategies, structures, and thinking moves.

Think: Same surface, different deep problems, much more time in the “we do” space, and a big emphasis on high-quality classroom discussion.

In this episode of School of Practice, McDowell breaks down three low-prep differentiation strategies, explains how and when small groups fit into the picture, and makes the case for basketball over ping-pong question protocols.

Related resources:

Learn more about this episode
How to Differentiate Without Splitting Students Up
Teaching a Class With Big Ability Differences
AI Tool Demo: Differentiating Class Materials With Diffit (video)
A Starter Kit for Differentiated Instruction
4 Research-Backed Ways to Differentiate Instruction
Actionable Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide to Responsive Teaching and Student Growth

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