48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Place to Start for DI, Dec 15 2006
By John McCarthy "storywind" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms (Paperback)
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.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Worth the Purchase, Mar 15 2006
By P Rod "P Rod" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms (Paperback)
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.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent choice for learning about differentiation, Sep 11 2005
By Kristin Cain "reading teacher" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed Ability Classrooms (Paperback)
This would be an excellent resource for all classroom teachers and reading coaches. With much emphasis on differentiating instruction, many teachers are at a loss as to what it really is. This book explains the idea of differentiating instruction in simple easy to read chapters. You will be glad you purchased it and will want to share it.