Differentiated Lesson Design for High School
Create tiered assignments and scaffolded materials for diverse high school learners
What You Can Do
You can systematically design differentiated lessons that serve students across multiple readiness levels, learning preferences, and interests within the same classroom. Claude helps you analyze your specific student population, generate assignments at 2-3 readiness tiers, create multiple versions of reading materials with varied complexity, develop targeted scaffolds for struggling learners, and design flexible formative assessments that reveal where students need support—all while keeping students focused on the same grade-level standards.
Features
input student data and receive a diagnostic framework that segments your class by current understanding and skill gaps
create parallel tasks at foundational, proficient, and advanced levels that target the same standard but vary in complexity and cognitive demand
develop step-by-step support structures including graphic organizers, sentence frames, worked examples, and prerequisite skill mini-lessons
generate simplified and enriched versions of source material, articles, and primary documents at matched reading levels
build flexible menus of learning activities that let students choose entry points while meeting the same learning objectives
receive guidance on how to form temporary, purposeful groups and rotate students as their mastery increases
create multiple ways to demonstrate mastery of the same standard (written tests, performance tasks, presentations, projects)
generate student interest inventories and learning preference surveys to inform your differentiation decisions
Example Output
Example 1: Tiered Reading Assignment on The Great Gatsby
Tier 1 (Below Grade Level): Simplified 2-page summary with vocabulary pre-taught, comprehension check with sentence frames ("The character's motivation was ___ because ___"), and guided note-taking template.
Tier 2 (Grade Level): Original text excerpts (Chapters 1-2), discussion questions requiring textual evidence, and analytical chart comparing Gatsby's persona vs. reality.
Tier 3 (Advanced): Full chapters with critical essay prompt analyzing Fitzgerald's use of symbolism and narrative reliability, plus supplementary historical context.
Example 2: Choice Board for U.S. History Unit on Civil Rights
- Research primary source + create annotated timeline
- Conduct mock interview with historical figure (written or recorded)
- Design protest poster with persuasive messaging
- Analyze Supreme Court decision and write policy brief
- Create multimedia presentation comparing two movements
All choices address same standards; students select based on learning preference and readiness.
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file: Complete skill documentation and usage guidelines
- Student readiness assessment template: Diagnostic tool to categorize students by entry point
- Tiered assignment framework: Step-by-step guide for creating 3-tier lessons across subjects
- Scaffold library: Pre-built graphic organizers, sentence frames, and support structures
- Learning profile survey: Student questionnaire for identifying interests and preferred modalities
- Differentiated assessment checklist: Tracker for ensuring assessments align with tiers and standards
Who It's For
- High school English/Language Arts teachers managing mixed-readiness classes
- Social studies and history teachers serving inclusive classrooms with special needs students
- STEM teachers seeking to challenge advanced learners while supporting struggling students
- Special education inclusion specialists collaborating with general ed teachers
- New teachers building differentiation practices for the first time
Best For
- Multi-week unit planning where students enter with different background knowledge
- Classes with significant readiness gaps (students reading 2+ grade levels apart)
- Creating flexible station rotations or learning centers
- Designing alternative assessments for IEP/504 accommodations
- Building choice boards and menus that maintain rigor while allowing autonomy
- Developing scaffolded materials for vocabulary, reading, and concept introduction
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