How to Differentiate Learning : Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment

Learn how to boost students' success with a differentiated instructional approach!

The authors introduce the elements of the differentiated learning model and provide ways for educators to teach to the brain by considering student readiness levels, interests, and learning styles as they design instruction for K–12 classrooms. You will find guidelines and approaches for adjusting the curriculum, lessons, or assessments to offer entry points for all students. This practical text examines ways to:

• Prepare for differentiated instruction
• Identify students' individual needs
• Engage students with cooperative learning and inquiry-based lessons
• Develop differentiated curriculum and assessment models

How to Differentiate Learning provides guidance for schools and districts to start or improve the effort to differentiate instruction. Based on what educators know about the differences among children they teach, and based on what we know of brain research, teachers must find and embrace ways to differentiate curriculum, assessment and entry points to understanding in order to make all students successful. This book provides background from experts and clarifies what is not differentiation as well as what is. It offers ways for teachers to think about student interests and learning profiles and also looks at varied ways to approach instructional planning for differentiated learning.

Robin Fogarty is president of Robin Fogarty and Associates, Ltd., a minority-owned educational publishing/consulting company. A leading proponent of the thoughtful classroom, Fogarty has trained educators throughout the world in curriculum, instruction, and assessment strategies. She has taught at all levels, from kindergarten to college, served as an administrator, and consulted with state departments and ministries of education in the United States, Puerto Rico, Russia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Great Britain, Singapore, Korea and the Netherlands. Fogarty has published articles in Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, and the Journal of Staff Development. She is the author of numerous books, including Ten Things New Teachers Need to Succeed, Second Edition (Corwin Press 2007), From Staff Room to Classroom (Corwin Press 2007), Literacy Matters, Second Edition (Corwin Press 2007), and the Nutshell Collection which includes How to Differentiate Learning, Twelve Brain Principles That Make the Difference, Nine Best Practices That Make the Difference, Close the Achievement Gap, A Look at Transfer, and The Adult Learner. Fogarty received her doctorate in curriculum and human resource development from Loyola University Chicago.

Brian Pete is president of The Education Associates, an international consulting firm, and cofounder of Robin Fogarty &Associates. He has a rich background in professional development and has worked in and videotaped classroom teachers and professional experts in schools throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Pete's work on educational videos include Best Practices: Classroom Management and Best Practices: Active Learning Classrooms. He is the coauthor of books which include From Staff Room to Classroom (Corwin Press 2007), and titles from the Nutshell Collection which include How to Differentiate Learning, Data!Dialogue! Decisions!, Twelve Principles That Make the Difference, Nine Best Practices That Make the Difference, Close the Achievement Gap, The Adult Learner, and A Look at Transfer.