Product Description

For education courses in Educational Psychology, Advanced Educational Psychology, Differentiated Instruction, Inclusion/Mainstreaming, Mild/Moderate Disabilities Methods, or General Methods (K-12). This brief Merrill/ASCD text provides guidance, principles, and strategies for teachers who are interested in creating learning environments that address the diversity typical of mixed-ability classrooms. The text will help educators understand what differentiated instruction is, why it is appropriate for all learners, how to begin to plan for it, and how to become comfortable enough with student differences to make school comfortable for each learner in the classroom.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11210 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author

Carol Ann Tomlinson is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Foundations and Policy at Curry School of Education, University of Virginia.

Customer Reviews

User friendly guide to differentiation
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.

A Good Place to Start for DI
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.

Well Worth the Purchase
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.