Table of Contents

The Authors v

Acknowledgments vii

Preface xv

Introduction 1

Section 1 Understanding Differentiated Instruction 5

• List 1.1. A Vision for the Differentiated Instruction Classroom 6
• List 1.2. One-Size-Fits-All Teaching Versus Differentiated Teaching 7
• List 1.3. Small Things That Make a Big Difference 8
• List 1.4. Common Misconceptions 10
• List 1.5. Differentiate the Materials 12
• List 1.6. Differentiate the Task 14
• List 1.7. Differentiate the Homework 15
• List 1.8. Differentiate Checking for Understanding 16
• List 1.9. Differentiate the Outcome 17
• List 1.10. Are You Ready for Differentiated Instruction? A Few More Examples of What Is Expected 18
• List 1.11. Definitions of Concepts Commonly Associated with Differentiated Instruction 20

Section 2 Teaching with the Individual in Mind 25

• List 2.1. Building Relationships 26
• List 2.2. Strategies to Determine Individual Strengths 28
• List 2.3. Interest Inventories 30
• List 2.4. Planning with Learning Styles in Mind 32
• List 2.5. Multiple Intelligences and Differentiated Instruction 34
• List 2.6. Tips for Raising Students’ Comfort Level 35
• List 2.7. Tips to Help Struggling Students 37
• List 2.8. Tips for Motivating All Students 39
• List 2.9. Class Discussion Strategies 41

Section 3 Planning the Differentiated Curriculum 43

• List 3.1. Where to Begin and What to Do 44
• List 3.2. Tips for Keeping Records for Differentiated Lesson Plans 46
• List 3.3. How to Create Differentiated Lesson Plans with Bloom’s Taxonomy 48
• List 3.4. Differentiated Assessments 50
• List 3.5. Curriculum Compacting: Why and How 53
• List 3.6. What Are Authentic Choices? How to Plan with Them 55
• List 3.7. General Planning Tips for the Differentiated Classroom 58

Section 4 Most Commonly Used Differentiated Instruction Techniques and How to Use Them 61

• List 4.1. Tiered Lessons 63
• List 4.2. Scaffolding Tools 66
• List 4.3. Project-Based Learning 69
• List 4.4. Learning Contracts 73
• List 4.5. Graphic Organizers 77
• List 4.6. Flexible Grouping 83
• List 4.7. Learning Stations 86
• List 4.8. Rubrics 88

Section 5 Differentiated Classroom Management 91

• List 5.1. Arranging the Classroom for Optimal Differentiated Instruction Management 93
• List 5.2. Strategies for Differentiated Classroom Management 95
• List 5.3. Why Students Misbehave 97
• List 5.4. Discipline Strategies 100
• List 5.5. Strength-Based Discipline: An Individualized Approach 102
• List 5.6. Examples of Strength-Based Versus Deficit-Based Labels 104
• List 5.7. Classroom Management and Parental Communication Tips 105

Section 6 Roles and Responsibilities 109

• List 6.1. Classroom Teacher 110
• List 6.2. Students 111
• List 6.3. Administrators 114
• List 6.4. Parents 117
• List 6.5. Support Staff 119

Section 7 Using Differentiated Instruction Techniques at Different Grade Levels 121

• List 7.1. Kindergarten 123
• List 7.2. Grades 1–5 125
• List 7.3. Middle School 128
• List 7.4. High School 130

Section 8 Strategies for Differentiating Language Arts 133

• List 8.1. What Exemplary Reading Teachers Do to Differentiate Reading Instruction 135
• List 8.2. Strategies to Improve Reading 136
• List 8.3. Tips for Differentiating Small-Group Reading Instruction 138
• List 8.4. Assigned Reading: Dealing with Low Interest 139
• List 8.5. Differentiated Writing Assignments and Strategies 141
• List 8.6. Examples of Exciting Differentiated Language Arts

Assignments 144

• List 8.7. Tips for Differentiating Instruction for English Language Learners 145
• List 8.8. Tips for Differentiating Writing Assignments 146

Section 9 Strategies for Differentiating Math 149

• List 9.1. Using Reading and Writing to Differentiate Math Instruction 150
• List 9.2. Five Specific Ways to Integrate Writing in the Math Curriculum 152
• List 9.3. Group Work as a Way to Differentiate the Math Class 155
• List 9.4. Ways to Integrate Group Work in the Math Curriculum 156
• List 9.5. Math Manipulatives 158
• List 9.6. Project-Based Learning Ideas and the Math Class 161
• List 9.7. Beyond Traditional Quizzes and Tests: Differentiated Assessments in Math 164
• List 9.8. Math Anxiety and Differentiated Instruction 168

Section 10 Strategies for Differentiating Science 171

• List 10.1. General Differentiated Strategies for Science 172
• List 10.2. Inquiry-Based Instruction and Science 174
• List 10.3. Multimedia Projects, Science, and Differentiated Instruction 176
• List 10.4. Practical Advice for the Laboratory 177
• List 10.5. Technology, Differentiated Instruction, and Science Class 179

Section 11 Strategies for Differentiating Social Studies 181

• List 11.1. Gallery Walks 182
• List 11.2. Time Lines 185
• List 11.3. Political Cartoons 186
• List 11.4. Authentic Civic Projects 187
• List 11.5. Multimedia Presentations 190
• List 11.6. Research Methods 193
• List 11.7. Class Discussion 195

Section 12 Strategies for Differentiating the Arts 199

• List 12.1. Group Work in the Arts 200
• List 12.2. Ways to Help All Students Feel Successful in Art 203
• List 12.3. Technology, Differentiated Instruction, and Visual Arts 205
• List 12.4. Technology, Differentiated Instruction, and Performing Arts 207

Section 13 Strategies for Physical Education and Health 209

• List 13.1. Tips on Using Differentiated Instruction in Physical Education 210
• List 13.2. Strategies for Differentiating Skill Training 212
• List 13.3. How to Encourage Everyone’s Participation 214
• List 13.4. Ideas for Coaches 217
• List 13.5. Physical Education and the Unhealthy Student 219

Section 14 New Media Strategies that Naturally Differentiate Instruction 221

• List 14.1. How Online Tools Can Help Organize and Differentiate Instruction 223
• List 14.2. Ways to Use Facebook in the Classroom 224
• List 14.3. Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom 226
• List 14.4. Using Ning in the Classroom 228
• List 14.5. Blogging in the Classroom 230
• List 14.6. Wikis in the Classroom 234
• List 14.7. Cultivating a Positive Digital Footprint 237
• List 14.8. Administrative Considerations When Using New Media in the Classroom 239
• List 14.9. New Media Uses That Are Not OK 241

Section 15 Special Considerations 243

• List 15.1. Differentiated Instruction and the Gifted Student 244
• List 15.2. Differentiated Instruction and the Advanced Placement Curriculum 246
• List 15.3. Differentiated Instruction and the At-Risk Student 247
• List 15.4. Differentiated Instruction and Diversity Inclusion 248

References 249

Index 257