The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners (Paperback)

~ Carol Ann Tomlinson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It's an age-old challenge: How can teachers divide their time, resources, and efforts to effectively instruct students of diverse backgrounds and interests, as well as skill and readiness levels? The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners offers a powerful, practical solution.

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, author Carol Ann Tomlinson describes a way of thinking about teaching and learning that will change all aspects of how you approach students and your classroom. She looks to the latest research on learning, education, and change for the theoretical basis of differentiated instruction and why it's so important to today's children. Yet she offers much more than theory, filling the pages with real-life examples of teachers and students using-and benefitting from-differentiated instruction.

At the core of the book, three chapters describe actual lessons, units, and classrooms with differentiated instruction in action. Tomlinson looks at elementary and secondary classrooms in nearly all subject areas to show how real teachers turn the challenge of differentiation into a reality. Her insightful analysis of how, what, and why teachers differentiate lays the groundwork for you to bring differentiation to your own classroom.

Tomlinson's commonsense, classroom-tested advice speaks to experienced and novice teachers as well as educational leaders who want to foster differentiation in their schools. Using a "think versus sink approach," Tomlinson guides all readers through small changes, then even larger ones, until differentiation becomes a way of life that enriches both teachers and students.

About the Author

Carol Ann Tomlinson is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Foundations and Policy at The Curry School of Education, University of Virginia. Tomlinson works with teachers throughout the United States and Canada toward establishing more effectively differentiated classrooms, and is Co-Director of the University of Virginia's Summer Institute on Academic Diversity. She is also Secretary of the Executive Board of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Tomlinson's research interests include differentiated instruction in the middle school, use of multiple intelligences approaches with high-risk and high-potential primary grade learners, and practices of preservice teachers related to academic diversity. She has written many articles, book chapters, and staff development materials that blend classroom and research insights.

Tomlinson's experience includes 21 years as a public school teacher, working with preschoolers, middle school students, and high school students. She has taught English, language arts, German, and history. Tomlinson has administered district, level programs for struggling and advanced learners and was Virginia's Teacher of the Year in 1974.

Carol Ann Tomlinson, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Foundations and Policy, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, Room 179 Ruffner Hall, 405 Emmet St. S., Charlottesville, VA 22903-2494. Phone: [phone].

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Deve; illustrated edition edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871203421
• ISBN-13: 978-0871203427
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,866 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Differentiate Your Instruction & Retain a Personal Life, March 15, 2000

By	Bradford H. Templeton (Rochester, New York) - See all my reviews

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.

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, August 29, 2000

By	Muhsin Ogretme (London) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars m.casey, November 27, 2000

By	michelle casey (Macon, GA) - See all my reviews

I chose this book to read for my education class for the simple reason that I did not know what a differentiated classroom was. I have had ideas for a long time of how I would like to teach, I just never realized there was a name for it. This book explained in detail many examples that could be used in any classroom. This book was very easy to read because it was written in simple terms taken from stories of teachers all around the country. The only thing that I did not like was that a lot of the examples were aimed more at teachers who have been practicing for a while. This is definately a book that I will hold on to and refer to throughout my teaching career.