GATE in Redlands Unified School District

What is differentiated curriculum?

Classroom instruction begins with the grade level core curriculum and is differentiated based on student needs and ability. The development of critical thinking is emphasized. Each elementary school's goal is to provide unique learning opportunities for the gifted learner to develop individual potential, explore interests, and develop sensitivity and responsibility, ethical standards, and a healthy realistic self-concept.

GATE students will be supported with their unique learning needs through differentiated curriculum. While the curriculum is the same as that taught to all students, a differentiated curriculum is a process of adapting the curriculum according to the different ability levels of the learners in the classroom. This may look like the following: 

• Acceleration/Pacing
  Students are permitted to move faster through the curricular content and are given credit for what they already know.
• Depth
  Students are given opportunities to study aspects of the curriculum in greater depth. They become experts in fields of study that link to the core curriculum.
• Complexity
  Students are given opportunities to make connections between content areas. Students are taught using an inter-disciplinary approach in order to see the relationships between all areas of study.
• Novelty
  Students are given opportunities to share what they know creatively. They are encouraged to present projects that reflect their interests, talents, and abilities.