Differentiating Instruction With Menus for the Inclusive Classroom

by Laurie E. Westphal

Differentiating Instruction With Menus for the Inclusive Classroom: Science for grades 6–8 offers teachers who have multiple ability levels in one classroom everything they need to create a student-centered learning environment based on choice. For each topic covered, there are two menus that look similar but contain differentiated content: one menu for students working on grade level and the other for students working below grade level. Using the creative, challenging choices found in Tic-Tac-Toe menus, List menus, 2-5-8 menus, and Game Show menus, students will demonstrate their knowledge with unique, exciting products. Also included are specific guidelines for products, assessment rubrics, and teacher introduction pages for each menu. These menus can also be used in conjunction with the Differentiating Instruction With Menus series (for students working above grade level) for three tiers of complementary menus.

Genres: Teaching, Education

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

I learned science, as well as most other subjects, in the same manner as other students—through the use of chapter reading and questions, and copying notes. I made the decision NOT to teach that way when I went into the classroom. My first job, 5/6 Grade Science in Monterrey, Mexico, I was given the freedom to develop engaging, product-based lessons and activities, which encouraged choice, the kind of teaching I missed as a student.

I continued this method of teaching science for 14 years, both overseas (after Mexico, I went to Porto Alegre Brasil), and in the U.S. I currently work as an independent gifted education and science consultant. I currently reside in Houston, TX and I have made it my goal to share my vision for real-world, product-based lessons that help all students become critical thinkers and effective problem solvers. Stop the drill and kill and plug and chugs!!

Reviews

[Suzannah Hoppe-washburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of Differentiating Instruction with Menus-Science, Advanced Level menus grades 6-8 by Laurie Westphal. This book is separated into two different parts: Part 1 is All About Menus and Choice and Part 2 is The Menus. Part 1 discusses the importance of choice, how to use menus in the classroom, guidelines for products and rubrics. Part 2 has menus for process skills, life science, earth science and physical science. Current teacher evaluations require differentiation in the classroom for the students and menus are an excellent way of doing that. This book demonstrates how menus allow students to feel more in control, while the teacher is still controlling the choices. There is a lot of work up front if you decide to create your own menus, but if the students are taught how to use the menus, it is a great way to keep the students engaged in the subject matter. This book gives excellent examples of menus and rubrics to use immediately. This book is very teacher-friendly, engaging, and inspiring. I am interested in reading some of the additional titles by this author. As an experienced teacher in many grade levels, I highly recommend this book to any teacher interested in introducing choice and differentiation into their classroom.

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good base to start using menus from. You may have to adjust some of them since not all topics are covered in the grade you may be teaching. It would be better if there was a digital version so you could easily substitute one activity for another in the menu.

[Rob Slaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a rather odd FirstReads drawing on GoodReads. Entering, as I did, on behalf of someone else it's not something that I read but I did pass it along to a friend who is a science teacher in this grade level.

While I haven't collected a great deal of detailed feedback on the book itself the response of the recipient was relatively positive. It apparently has great potential for usefulness in her classroom. This is no minor statement since she's been teaching this subject matter for upwards of 15 years. To have found something new and useful to one who has been in the trade this long seems significant. I will update this review as new information comes to light but at least initially the response is reasonably positive.