Karen Harris: How to Differentiate Students in Your Classroom

https://SRSDonline.org Transform writing instruction with SRSD Online. The evidence-based Science of Writing framework by Dr. Karen Harris and Dr. Steve Graham. Explore classroom demos, teacher training, and strategies that help students plan, write, and self-regulate with confidence.

Differentiating writing instruction is one of the most common — and most challenging — questions teachers ask.
In this session, we explore how Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) supports effective differentiation in writing without creating a separate lesson plan for every student. The focus is on using formative assessment, flexible grouping, and explicit instruction to maximize progress for all writers.
You’ll hear practical guidance on how to:
Use early writing samples to guide differentiation
Group students strategically based on what they already know
Support struggling writers while still challenging advanced writers
Adjust expectations and goals without lowering standards
Differentiate within whole-class SRSD instruction
Use peer planning, peer feedback, and stations to support writing growth
Navigate Stage 5 (supported practice) with confidence
Address student motivation, writing anxiety, and self-belief
Use rubrics and progress monitoring to guide instruction
A central idea throughout this session is that practice makes progress, not perfection. Students do not all reach the same endpoint at the same time — and that’s expected. The goal of SRSD writing instruction is to help every student make meaningful growth through explicit strategies, self-regulation, and guided practice.
This video is especially helpful for:
Teachers using SRSD Online
Instructional coaches and literacy leaders
Educators looking for evidence-based writing interventions
Schools implementing a structured writing process
Teachers seeking practical writing strategies for students
SRSD is an evidence-based framework for teaching writing that supports planning, drafting, revising, and self-regulation. It aligns closely with the Science of Writing and helps teachers deliver high-impact writing instruction in real classrooms with real constraints.
Learn more about SRSD Online and our writing courses at srsdonline.org

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