Differentiation in Middle and High School: Strategies to Engage All Learners

by Kristina J. Doubet, Jessica A. Hockett

In this one-stop resource for middle and high school teachers, Kristina J. Doubet and Jessica A. Hockett explore how to use differentiated instruction to help students be more successful learners — regardless of background, native language, learning style, motivation, or school savvy. They explain how to

* Create a healthy classroom community in which students' unique qualities and needs are as important as the ones they have in common.
* Translate curriculum into manageable and meaningful learning goals that are fit to be differentiated.
* Use pre-assessment and formative assessment to uncover students' learning needs and tailor tasks accordingly.
* Present students with avenues to take in, process, and produce knowledge that appeal to their varied interests and learning profiles.
* Navigate roadblocks to implementing differentiation.

Each chapter provides a plethora of practical tools, templates, and strategies for a variety of subject areas developed by and for real teachers. Whether you're new to differentiated instruction or looking to expand your repertoire of DI strategies, Differentiation in Middle and High School will show you classroom-tested ways to better engage students and help them succeed every day.

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Education

295 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2015

Reviews

[Timothy Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical yet grounded in sound pedagogical principles, this is a book that walks secondary teachers through every aspect of a lesson with a design-based, differentiated approach. I’m looking forward to sharing these ideas with my pre service teachers and practicing them too. The authors and I had the same mentor - Carol Ann Tomlinson- while we attended UVA and her influence echoes throughout the pages of this book.

[Sky Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book serves as a great educational practice piece with good info and tools and strategies for you as well. However, I feel like I’ve been reading the same thing over and over again. So that’s why I gave it only 3/5 stars. But very informative and a fantastic read that should be on every educators shelf!

[Ms. Hull · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal for clearing up misconceptions and confusions about differentiation in the classroom. I feel as though the only thing that made it 3/5 instead of 5/5 was that it repeated information constantly for me and I would get frustrated. However, it gave ample strategies and tools to use in the classroom and I believe that every educator should have this on their shelf!

[Erin Acheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a text book, but it's readable and interesting. A great review as we're totally revamping how we teach. I've loved Tomlinson, Hattie, and the like and I actually enjoyed working through this one.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good source of information overall, with some great strategies and ideas. Most of what is brought up in this book are logical, well-defended, and easily implemented at many grade levels. I can't wait to bring some of the strategies to the attention of some of my team!

[Rene Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, easy to read trade book about meeting the needs of students in secondary education. Each chapter is divided into 2 parts, concept and strategies. I highly recommend teachers or those working in teacher education or professional learning to add this text to your toolkit.

[Matt Sautman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource of differentiation strategies—while some of the opening chapters feel a bit more general, high school teachers should find plenty to work with in regard to differentiation with this book.

[Leslie Truax · Rating 5 out of 5]

A staple for my classroom library for sure! :) This book saved my bacon during my first year of teaching.

[Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of great strategies.

[Amanda Gilles · Rating 2 out of 5]

My district required staff to read it. It was noting eye opening that we didn't already see/know as a teaching team. A few nuggets and ideas to take.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

You too will be able to differentiate in your classroom after reading this book!

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very readable, helpful textbook.

[Valerie Biggam · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍎Some helpful suggestions and activities.
🍎I appreciated how many of the strategies gave examples from multiple content areas.

[Rebecca Thomason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful. Has plenty of examples in multiple topics to aid with ideas and content creation.

[Kate Mixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will continue to read and use for many years to come. Absolutely love the practical bits at the end of each chapter.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful and practical!

[Carrie Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more practical books I've read on differentiation. Applicable strategies and FAQs.