Spotlight: Differentiation

November 2007

Spotlight: Differentiation

Classrooms are filled with an increasing number of students who have been identified as having "special needs"--from English language learners, to children with behavioral problems, to those with learning disabilities--as well as some who are labeled "gifted and talented." Experienced teachers know, though, that every student has special needs on some days, and will sometimes be gifted and talented. Part of the skill of teaching involves being able to respond to those needs in a way that helps each student learn. These days, with the increasing diversity of classrooms coupled with pressure to cover more curriculum in less time and have all students perform at a standard level, even the best teachers can benefit from having a collection of best practices for differentiating instruction at hand.

Making the Most of Small Groups
Debbie Diller
In her previous books, Literacy Work Stations and Practice with Purpose, Debbie showed teachers how to productively occupy the "rest of the class" while meeting with small groups. Now Debbie turns her attention to the groups themselves and the teacher's role in small-group instruction.

Listen to Debbie discuss literacy work stations
Read Debbie's biography

Fair Isn't Always Equal
Rick Wormeli
Rick offers the latest research and commonsense thinking that teachers and administrators seek when it comes to assessment and grading in differentiated classes. He tackles important and sometimes controversial assessment and grading issues constructively.

Differentiation
Rick Wormeli
In this practical and accessible book, Rick shows middle-level teachers how to plan a differentiated lesson from start to finish, detailing the steps to take before, during, and after to deepen connections for students.

Read Rick's biography

Student Diversity
Faye Brownlie, Catherine Feniak, and Leyton Schnellert
From ESL learners and children with disabilities to students with different learning styles, and with a range from relationship-building exercises to lessons that meet specific curriculum expectations, this book offers practical strategies and organizational frameworks to help teachers reach all students.

Read more about Faye Brownlie.
Read more about Debbie Diller.
Read more about Catherine Feniak.
Read more about Leyton Schnellert.
Read more about Rick Wormeli.

Sign up for Newslinks!

A free e-mail newsletter featuring PD articles and resources

Read the November 19 Issue

>>About Newslinks
>>Browse our archives

College Professors

Request an exam copy. Click to fill out a form, or email examcopy@stenhouse.com to have the form sent to you.