Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom: How to Reach and Teach All Learners, Grades 3-12

Some children learn easily, while others struggle. How can teachers make sure that every child has opportunities to develop his or her talents? The answer is differentiation: changing the pace, level, or kind of instruction in response to learners' needs, styles, and/or interests. In this timely, practical guide, Diane Heacox presents a menu of strategies for any teacher faced with a spectrum of student needs and styles. Some are quick and easy-differentiating discussions, creating tiered assignments. Others are more comprehensive-matrix plans for designing curriculum units, "one-sentence lesson plans" that encompass content, process skills, and evidence of learning. Individual chapters focus on evaluation in a differentiated classroom and how to manage both behavior and work tasks. Diane describes ways to get to know your students and recognize that all have strengths and limitations. Not every gifted student is always ready for higher-level thinking; not every child with learning differences is always incapable of succeeding in a "higher group." Any curriculum can be differentiated-even a standard or mandated curriculum. Drawing on Bloom's Taxonomy, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, other experts in the field, and her own experience in the classroom, Diane explains how to differentiate instruction in a wide variety of scenarios to provide variety and challenge in how teachers teach and in how students learn. Templates and forms simplify planning; examples illustrate differentiation in many content areas. Recommended for all teachers committed to reaching and teaching all learners. Includes reproducibles.