🧩 MTSS + Diffit Toolkit

MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is about keeping strong instruction at the core while adding the right scaffolds at the right time. With Diffit, you can maintain grade-level rigor while making content accessible to students in Tier 1, 2, and 3. This collection highlights Diffit activities that work across tiers for both academic and SEL needs.

How to Use This Toolkit

Start with your data—screeners, observations, or formative assessments—then select activities that fit your learners’ needs. Many of these are flexible and repeatable across subjects. Use them consistently so students build confidence and fluency with the structure.

🔍 Tier 1: Universal Instruction

Inclusive, high-access strategies that strengthen core instruction for all students and reduce the need for intervention.

• 3-2-1 What I Learned: Quick reflection routine to reinforce comprehension and self-monitoring.
• Group Discussion: Build background knowledge and practice academic talk with a shared passage.
• Social Media Summary: Encourage students to distill a text into a short, creative summary.
• Reading Passage (leveled): Provide the same text at differentiated levels to increase access.

🧠 Tier 2: Targeted Supports

Small-group or short-term interventions for students needing extra support in specific skills.

• Frayer Model: Explicit vocabulary support with student-friendly definitions and examples.
• Cloze Reading: Scaffold comprehension by filling in missing words from leveled texts.
• First, Then, Finally: Scaffold sequencing and summarization skills.
• RACE Short Answer Question: Support evidence-based responses with structured frames.

🎯 Tier 3: Intensive Intervention

Individualized, high-frequency support with adapted materials and explicit scaffolds.

• Reading with Image: Pair simplified text with visuals to support comprehension.
• Key Vocabulary with Images: Use visuals and definitions for targeted word learning.
• Paragraph Rewrite (using Read & Take Notes): Break down a section of text and restate in simpler language.
• Sentence Stems (Answer & Explain): Provide structured frames for academic responses.

🗣️ Supporting SEL within MTSS

Build social-emotional skills alongside academics with Diffit activities that encourage connection, confidence, and reflection.

• One Thing I Learned: Self-reflection to notice progress and effort.
• Notice & Wonder: Encourage curiosity and perspective-taking while reading.
• Character Traits (Says/Feels/Does): Help students practice empathy by analyzing characters.
• TAG Peer Feedback: Structured peer responses to short answer questions to build collaboration.

💡 Tips for Differentiating with Diffit in MTSS

• Match Diffit text levels to student readiness using screening or observational data.
• Pair leveled passages with graphic organizers (e.g., Flow Chart Map, Bubble Map with Image).
• Use formatting-based activities (Vocabulary Matching, Drag & Drop) to support processing needs.
• Repeat familiar routines across tiers for consistency and confidence.
• Track student growth by revisiting the same activity with increasing independence.