The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners

By Carol Ann Tomlinson

Book Overview

Although much has changed in schools in recent years, the power of differentiated instruction remains the same--and the need for it has only increased.

Today's classroom is more diverse, more inclusive, and more plugged into technology than ever before. And it's led by teachers under enormous pressure to help decidedly unstandardized students meet an expanding set of rigorous, standardized learning targets. In this updated second edition of her best-selling classic work, Carol Ann Tomlinson offers these teachers a powerful and practical way to meet a challenge that is both very modern and completely timeless: how to divide their time, resources, and efforts to effectively instruct so many students of various backgrounds, readiness and skill levels, and interests.

With a perspective informed by advances in research and deepened by more than 15 years of implementation feedback in all types of schools, Tomlinson explains the theoretical basis of differentiated instruction, explores the variables of curriculum and learning environment, shares dozens of instructional strategies, and then goes inside elementary and secondary classrooms in nearly all subject areas to illustrate how real teachers are applying differentiation principles and strategies to respond to the needs of all learners.

This book's insightful guidance on what to differentiate, how to differentiate, and why lays the groundwork for bringing differentiated instruction into your own classroom or refining the work you already do to help each of your wonderfully unique learners move toward greater knowledge, more advanced skills, and expanded understanding. Today more than ever, The Differentiated Classroom is a must-have staple for every teacher's shelf and every school's professional development collection.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416618600
• ISBN13: 9781416618607
• Release Date: May 2014
• Publisher: ASCD
• Length: 197 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.8" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

Great Resource!

I read this book through as soon as I received it. Tomlinson is well-respected in her field. Most everything I have read concerns gifted students. This is an excellent resource for ALL students. Differentiation is absolutely necessary in today's classrooms. If all students are to reach their full potential, we must meet them where they are -- and they are all over the place! With so many learners requiring different strategies, finding a way to reach every child is a daunting task. This book gives you the strategies in clear, concise language. The information can be adapted to any subject area or age group. I wish every teacher in my school would read this book!

Should be part of every teacher's library...

Carol Ann Tomlinson's book shows teachers how to meet the needs of the wide range of abilities found in most classrooms through effective instructional grouping strategies. Differentiating curriculum is one of the most, if not the most, important skills for teachers to master in order to help all kids reach their full potential. Ms. Tomilson's techniques show teachers how to reach all levels of students - from those needing remediation - to the more advanced learner who needs a faster pace, more independence, and a more in- depth curriculum to thrive. Practical and clearly written... highly recommended.

Help for the Classroom

I am a classroom teacher. I read this book in a course as part of my Masters in Education program. It has a lot of practical advice for busy classroom teachers. It is easy to read and to apply the ideas into your own classroom. I highly recommend it!

Very good book

While I have been studying on my science education master thesis on differentiated instruction, I have had a chance to examine many sources on differentiation, and this book is one of the best books I have seen on differentiation. You can create your own design of differentiated instruction for your unique learners by using this book. It has clear explanations on nearly every aspect of differentiation, no junk/useless statements or figures/tables. Examples focuses directly on the topic. I highly recommend this book to teachers who try to reach and meet the needs of every learner in their classrooms.

Differentiate Your Instruction & Retain a Personal Life

Carol Ann Tomlinson masterfully guides the reader down a logically sequential path that both establishes the philosophical components of differentiation as well as supplies teachers with practical strategies that can be put to use in the classroom tomorrow morning. There is a naive notion in the educational world that differentiation implies individualization -- far from the truth as Tomlinson weaves her experiences as a teacher in a manner than adds texture and validity to the notion of differentiation for groups of students while still meeting individual learning needs. This approach was not invented to "make a buck". It is an outgrowth of teaching experiences that led Tomlinson and others to the conclusion that students learn at different rates, using different styles, and expressing different needs. Dr. Tomlinson supplies the reader with several ready-made examples that can be applied immediately in your classroom. There is no need to give up one's personal life to successfully differentiate instruction. Tomlinson suggests beginning slowly and moving at your own rate - always respectful of the magnitude and breadth of the teacher's job. Carol Ann Tomlinson leads an annual summer workshop on differentiation at the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. Along with many other leaders in the field of differentiation for mixed ability classrooms, Tomlinson shares with teachers the reality of successfully reaching the varied needs of learners of today. This is a must buy book for teachers at any level.