Differentiated+Instruction

=__**Differentiated Instruction**__=

In the future, we will all have IEPs...

Differentiated instruction which is also referred to as differentiated learing or differentiation is a teaching methodology that allows teachers to provide students with multiple options for learning. This includes creating teaching materials so that all students in a classroom regardless of their individual ability can learn effectively.

The differentiated instruction is an extention and combination of a couple of different theories:


 * 1) Lev Vygotsky's who is Russian psychologist that was famous for his social interaction theories that see the teacher student relationship as collaborative as well as reciprocal. The idea is that the teacher should structure the lessons around the students ZPD (zone of proximal development.) The lessons should be structured just above the students abilities.
 * 2) Howard Gardner who proposed that the theory of multiple intellegences which suggested that intellegence has various different components. The idea is that some students learn differently than others and that teachers need to assess what the students strengths are through pre-assessments. For example if one student learns to spell faster than another student, then it CANNOT necessarily be surmised that one student is a better speller than the other.

__**Helpful Resources**__

Carol Tomlinson is considered to be one, if not the foremost, expert in the field of differentiated instruction. Her website is a great resource for find more information regarding differentiated instruction.

http://www.caroltomlinson.com

__Carol Tomlinson's suggested resources:__

Brandt, R. (1998) Powerful learning. Alexandria, VA: ASCD Burke, J. (2002). Tools for thought: Graphic organizers for your classroom. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Clayton, M. (2001). Classroom spaces that work. Greenfield, MA: Northeast Foundation for Children. Cole, R. (1995). Educating everybody’s children: Diverse teaching strategies for diverse learners. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Cummings, C. (2000). Winning strategies for classroom management. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Denton, P., & Kriete, R. (2000). The first six weeks of school. Greenfield, MA: Northeast Foundation for Children. Gartin, B., Murdick, N., Imbeau, M. & Perner, D. (2002). Differentiating instruction for students with developmental disabilities in the general education classroom. Arlington, VA: Council for Exceptional Children. Ginsberg, M. & Wlodkowski, R. (2000). Creating highly motivating classrooms for all students. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Gurian, M. (2001). Boys and girls learn differently. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Houk, F. (2005). Supporting English language learners: A guide for teachers and administrators. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Kajder, S. (2006). Bringing the outside in: Visual ways to engage reluctant readers. Portland, ME: Stenhouse. King-Shaver, B., & Hunter, A. (2003). Differentiated instruction in the English classroom: Content, process, product, and assessment. Portsmouth, NHL Heinemann. Lee, C., & Jackson, R. (1992). Faking it. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook. Levine, M. (2002). A mind at a time. New York: Simon & Schuster. Maeda, B. (1994). The multi-age classroom: An inside look at one community of learners. Cypress, CA: Creative Teaching Press. MacCracken, M. (1986). Turnabout children. New York: Signet. Fulfilling the promise of Differentiated Instruction Marriott, D., Kupperstein, J. (1997). What are the other kids doing while you teach small groups? Cypress, CA: Creative Teaching Press. O’Connor, K. (2002). How to grade for learning. Arlington Heights, IL: Skylight. Owocki, G. (2005). Time for literacy centers: How to organize and differentiate instruction. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Perry, T., Steele, C., & Hilliard, A. (2003). Young, gifted, and black: Promoting high achievement among african-american students. Boston: Beacon. Strachota, B. (1996). On their side: Helping children take charge of their learning. Greenfield, MA: Northeast Society for Children. Tatum, B. (1997). “Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?” and other conversations about race. New York: Basic Books. Villa, R. & Thousand, J. (2005). Creating an inclusive school (2nd Edition). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Winebrenner, S. (1992). Teaching gifted kids in the regular classroom. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit. Winebrenner, S. (1996). Teaching kids with learning difficulties in the regular classroom. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit.

Vygotsky []

Differentiated Instruction Wikipedia []

Howard Gardner Theory of Multiple Intellegences Wikipedia []