Differentiation

Daily review for mixed-ability classes

A shared routine can still give different students the right amount of challenge.

5 min read By Mr Heading
Pastel classroom setup with maths review cards, manipulatives and a whiteboard.

Mixed-ability classes make review tricky because the class needs a shared starting point, but students do not all need the same number of repetitions. A daily review works when the common routine is simple and the teacher has a clear way to extend or support.

Start with a shared core

The shared core should be accessible enough for most students to attempt independently. This keeps the room calm and gives the teacher a quick read on class readiness.

  • Use one common warm-up question.
  • Add one question that revisits a recent skill.
  • Add one visual or vocabulary question.
  • Finish with a stretch question that is optional or discussed together.

Differentiate by response, not by chaos

Instead of preparing three separate review decks every day, plan what students do after each question. Some students may explain a second method. Some may use a manipulative. Some may answer fewer questions but record thinking more carefully.

A practical rule

If a support changes the maths target, it is probably a different task. If it changes access to the same target, it is probably a useful scaffold.