A Simple Hack to Differentiate Your Lessons
When teachers hear the word differentiation, it often sounds like more work.
More groups.
More lesson plans.
More prep.
More things to manage at the same time.
And that’s exactly why so many teachers avoid it.
Not because they don’t care.
Not because they don’t want to support students.
But the version they were taught doesn’t feel realistic in a real classroom.
That’s why this episode offers a much simpler way to think about differentiation.
Instead of creating completely different lessons, you can keep the same standard and the same skill, then adjust the cognitive demand by changing the verb.
That’s where Bloom’s Taxonomy comes in.
In this episode, we walk through how to use Bloom’s Taxonomy as a practical classroom tool, not just a theory from teacher prep courses. If you’ve ever wanted a way to support struggling learners and challenge advanced students without doubling your planning time, this episode gives you a clear starting point.
HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
1️⃣ Differentiation does not have to mean different lessons
You can keep the same standard and skill while adjusting the task by moving up or down Bloom’s Taxonomy.
2️⃣ The verb changes the rigor
A small shift in wording can create the support or enrichment students need without creating more work for you.
3️⃣ This becomes easier with practice
Once you start using Bloom’s Taxonomy consistently, it becomes a natural part of how you plan and teach.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Bloom’s Taxonomy Pyramid
Schmoop standards breakdown tool
MORE FROM EB ACADEMICS
Grab the free Bloom’s Taxonomy download in the show notes so you can keep it nearby and start differentiating on the spot during your lessons.
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