We understand that tailoring learning experiences to meet individual student needs is a priority for teachers. Writable has easy-to-use prompt differentiation options to adjust lessons with the student in mind.

Prompt differentiation adapts one assignment to meet a wide range of student abilities. You can customize prompts with different readings, graphic organizers, and questions. Each prompt has a designated level from 1 (least supports) to 5 (most supports). While assigning, you can match students with the right prompt for their needs.

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Before You Begin

We recommend deciding how what assignment differentiation will meet your specific students' needs. Some examples are below:

  • Modified Instructions: Tailor differentiated prompts to suit the needs of your different students. This is a good option for writing assignments that don't include a reading passage, or in addition to other differentiation.

  • Modified Texts: Include different reading passages at varying levels of difficulty based on the reading proficiency of your students. You can add multiple readings to an assignment, and even add a video to support struggling readers.

  • Additional Writing Support: Add graphic organizers and sentence stems to help support students. You can also enable AI-driven supports for individual students to provide additional guidance while they are writing and revising.

Note: All students will have access to read-aloud support for the prompt, readings, and their own writing on the assignment.


Create an Assignment With Differentiated Prompts

1. Click 'My Assignments' and find the assignment you’d like to edit.

Picture of My Assignments Page.

Note: If you don't have an assignment, follow these directions: Create an Assignment or Customize an Existing Assignment.

Tip! It's best to edit 'Inactive Assignments'. To help avoid invalidating work in 'Active Assignments', we've disabled some editing features. If assignment edits are necessary, please keep in mind how your changes may impact existing content.

2. Click on the assignment you would like to edit.

3. Then click the 'Edit' button.

4. In the Prompt section, click the pencil icon to edit the prompt.

5. Make adjustments to your prompt. Keep in mind that this will be your Level 1 prompt with the least amount of scaffolds and support. Click 'Done' to save your changes.

6. In the Prompt section, click the '+' icon and select 'Duplicate this Prompt'. Then confirm that you want to duplicate the prompt.

7. In this duplicated copy, you will add additional supports for your students. Some examples of differentiation are listed below. Click here for more information on editing a prompt.

8. After you have edited all the desired content for this level, select 'Prompt Differentiation', include a short description, and click 'Done'.

Note: Each prompt should have a designated level from 1 (least supports) to 5 (most supports).

9. Repeat the above editing process for each of the prompt levels you want to include in the differentiated assignment.

10. Preview your assignment to see your differentiated levels. Click 'Change Prompt' to choose from the different levels of support.


Assign Differentiated Prompts

1. Once you have created your differentiated assignment, find and click the assignment on the 'My Assignments' page.

2. Click 'Assign'.

3. Check the boxes next to the class(es) you want to assign to, then click 'Next'.

4. Select the assignment options you'd like to use. Be sure to check 'Assign with differentiated prompts'. Then, click 'Next'.

5. You will select a level for each student in the class. Click 'Assign' when you're ready.

Tip! Hover over the i-icon to see the description of a level. Click on the level title to open a preview of that prompt.


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