Strategies for Differentiating Instruction

by Julia Link Roberts, Tracy Ford Inman

This easy-to-use book offers practical strategies for teachers to use in the classroom--strategies that allow all students to learn at appropriately challenging levels and make continuous progress by focusing on their various levels of knowledge and readiness to learn. Strategies address the interests and learning preferences of students in order to motivate them to produce their best work. Written in a teacher-friendly manner, "Strategies for Differentiating Instruction" presents strategies that can be used in any classroom to ensure that each student's needs are met. Designed specifically for teachers new to the differentiation adventure, the book offers sound, practical advice for preassessing students, implementing differentiation strategies, managing student learning, and assessing student learning. This book is full of the essentials that any educator needs to know in order to differentiate instruction and address all students' needs, interests, and abilities. Educational Resource

Genres: Education, Teaching

222 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

Julia Link Roberts, Ph.D., is the Mahurin Professor in Gifted Studies and director and founder of The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University. Dr. Roberts was named a Distinguished Professor at Western Kentucky University and was honored as the first recipient of the National Association for Gifted Children David W. Belin Advocacy Award.

Recently, she was named Executive Director of the Center for Gifted Studies and the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky.

Reviews

[bjneary]

What I really liked about this book is the chapter on using Bloom's to differentiate instruction. The chapter gave a thorough and complete look at successfully creating tasks that are engaging for every student. I liked how the author said that "respectful tasks involve all children and give opportunities to learn new things but at a level of challenge that requires mental strecthing." I would also look at the new digital taxonomy and use those web 2.0 resources for differentiation. I will also look into the feasibility of rubrics and/or the author's suggested use of the DAP Tool (Developing and Assessing Products Tool

[Kristin]

I read this for ideas for gifted learners. I really liked the rubrics and ideas for assessments.

[Rhoda]

Full of good strategies - a nice 'primer' on differentiation.