How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed Ability Classrooms 2nd Edition ASCD

Customer Reviews

Differentiating Instruction

2007-11-15
I cannot review this item because AMAZON SCREWED UP THE ORDER - NEVER RECEIVED THE ITEM, AFTER 15 years of business - Could not get any satisfaction when trying to resolve the issue. The address on my order was correct, the same address that I have received MANY other orders at - Sorry - can see it, can't review it!!

Excellent resource and easy to read and apply...

2007-08-13
Tomlinson presents the material in an easy to read and use format. The book is easy for the teacher to use immediately, either read one chapter at a time or all the way through. A great resource. Now if we could just get the regular education teachers to give it a try!!

Pedagogy Made Plain

2007-08-11
Carol Tomlinson is a master at making sense out of pedagogy, making what is complex, clear, and making the principles inspirational. She is excellent at weaving together all the best practices in education to give 21st century teachers what we've been dying to hear -- that all approaches we've been taught have some merit, somewhere, for some child. The art is in the weaving it all together, which is what differentiated instruction is all about. This book is essential. Read also Understanding By Design Expanded 2nd Edition and then search for any book that differentiates specifically for your content area. Amy Benjamin is wonderful at not only English instruction and Social Studies but sampling other subjects (see Differentiated Instruction: A Guide for Middle and High School Teachersand then there's Tomlinson's and Strickland's Differentiation in Practice: A Resource Guide for Differentiating Curriculum, Grades 9-12. If you have these on your shelf, you have great foundational principles plus great specific models to work from. NCTE has also just released the first book of differentiated lessons that I've found on Shakespeare, Teaching Romeo and Juliet: A Differentiated Approach. We've still got a long way to go as a profession to providing ready-made models that teachers don't have to invent on their own, but we're getting there. If you're in English, Benjamin and the NCTE book should get you started.

a perfect match with constructivist theory!

2007-01-18
How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms is essentially a very watered down version of constructivism. This is not a bad thing, in fact constructivist theorists knew others would catch on as the accountability movement grew. The book talks specifically about student centered learning and authentic assessment as well as disposes myths about what differentiated learning is and is not.

As the accountability movement matures, I believe we will see that Tomlinson and others who discuss differentiation are really part of the larger strain of constructivist theorists who are rooted in the idea of making learning meaningful through authentic class explorations of knowledge as well as authentic assessment.

A Good Place to Start for DI

2006-12-16
Meeting all students' needs is more than a conversation and Carol Tomlinson shows the way with this book. As a staff developer for the largest county in Michigan, I use many books and resources that I keep listed on storywind. This book is great for those new to Differentiated Instruction (DI) and are seeking both a basic understanding, what DI looks like, and strategies to begin.

I must include that if you want a deeper understanding of how DI fits into curriculum, pedagogy, what DI looks like for students and teachers, and strategies with examples--get the book, Fulfilling the Promise of Differentiation. I sue it when facilitating staff in professional learning groups. It's good for doing independent research for a department, grade level team, and school implementation.

How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms is a quick read that you'll want to reread with a highlighter and pen. Carol Tomlinson is a great communicator and teacher. She provides in this book a beginning understanding of how DI is good for students, and varied ways that teachers can implement into curriculum. I especially recommend chapter two which makes the case of DI for struggling and advanced learners, and address the areas teachers teach: content, process, and product, and how students respond for successor failure: readiness, interest, and learning profile. The appendices contain strategies described in a page for each.

This book should be in every school's professional library. Its information is essential for getting a basic understanding of Differentiated Instruction and examples. Also consider Fulfilling the Promise of Differentiated Instruction.

A must for every good teacher

2006-11-05
Just as students come in different sizes and shapes and with differing cultural backgrounds, interests, and abilities, so do teachers face challenges in "fitting" instruction to the students in their classrooms. This book provides practical guidance in addressing the diverse needs of students in mixed- ability classrooms. Differentiated instruction provides multiple approaches to content, process, and product; and it is a blend of whole-class, group, and individual instruction.

The author states: "My goal here is to help teachers determine what differentiated instruction is, why it is appropriate for all learners, how to plan for it, how to manage it, how to help parents and students prepare for differentiated classrooms, and how to assess student progress." She describes actual classrooms that use strategies for managing differentiated classrooms and provides detailed how-to's for lesson planning. An appendix lists strategies, including pretesting for competence ("compacting"), independent projects, interest centers, and tiered assignments.

Well Worth the Purchase 2006-03-15
This book is a great place to start for individuals who already have some teaching experience, have a general familiarity with differentiated learning, but need help with the scope and implementation. This is not for someone who wants linear how-to manual. This book begins with a rationale for differentiated learning and then provides a framework for understanding the process, content, and structure for setting up your classroom. There is plenty of practical advice and examples. If you already know that this is the direction you want to take, I highly recommend this purchase.

excellent choice for learning about differentiation 2005-09-12
This would be an excellent resource for all classroom teachers and reading coaches. With much emphasis on differentiating instruction, many teachers are at a loss as to what it really is. This book explains the idea of differentiating instruction in simple easy to read chapters. You will be glad you purchased it and will want to share it.

Fantastic Book 2005-07-11
Wonderful book, easy to read book about differentiation. The book covers all areas of differentiation a simple way. Does not read like a textbook! Great book to refer back to.

User friendly guide to differentiation 2000-05-19
This book was an excellent "how to" guide for teachers to use to improve the quality of instruction for their students. The text is clear and to the point. Scenarios are given for elementary as well as secondary mixed-ability classrooms to give you a picture of what differentiation looks like in a variety of settings. In our very diverse schools, knowing how to accommodate the varied learning needs of our students is no longer an option - it's what successful teaching is all about.