Differentiating a maths worksheet for mixed ability
In a mixed-ability class one sheet rarely suits everyone. Writing three separate sheets takes hours, though. The aim of differentiation is to give everyone a fair chance to meet the same idea, so there are quick ways to adapt one sheet that keep the topic constant and change the demand.
Change the difficulty, keep the topic
Every topic has a five-step difficulty scale, shown on the topic page. Start from a sheet at the usual level, then make a copy with every question one step lower for pupils who need support and a copy one step higher for those ready for stretch. In the editor you can select all questions and nudge the difficulty, or edit individual ones. Because the topic stays the same, the whole class can join the same discussion afterwards.
Change the support
Support can be added without changing the numbers. Insert a text block with a worked example above the first question. Add a heading that names the method. Switch the format from short answer to multiple choice for pupils who benefit from a prompt, or to fill-the-blank where the structure of the answer is given. For stretch, switch to show-working and ask for explanation.
Change the amount
Fewer, well-chosen questions are often better than the whole sheet. For pupils who work slowly or find writing hard, remove questions rather than speeding them through. Choose which to keep by looking at the zone letters in the margin and the marks: keep a spread of difficulty and drop duplicates. Remember a removal is one step in the revision strip, so you can bring a question back.
Change the presentation
Large print, wider spacing and one column help pupils who are overwhelmed by a dense page. Squared paper helps pupils who struggle to line up digits. These are settings, not new sheets, and they take seconds. Print one copy in each style and label them with a neutral name rather than a level.
Add a challenge rather than a worksheet
A fast finisher does not need another page of the same. Add a custom question at the end that asks them to create their own example, find a mistake, or apply the idea to a context. These open tasks can be added in the editor as a text block with a mark, and you can give your own answer in the key.
Keep the dignity of the sheet
Pupils notice when their sheet looks different. Using the same title block, layout and fonts for all versions, and naming them A, B and C rather than easy and hard, avoids labelling anyone. Let pupils move between versions as they gain confidence.
A worked plan
Take a Year 5 sheet on equivalent fractions. For support, use difficulty 2, multiple choice for half of the questions and a worked example on top. For core, difficulty 3 with short answers. For stretch, difficulty 4 with two show-working questions and a final custom question: "Explain how you know that two fractions are equivalent without drawing." Total preparation: about five minutes.
Try it with the Year 5 equivalent fractions page, then see the worksheet writing guide.