Differentiation at Work, K-5
Principles, Lessons, and Strategies
- Lane Narvaez - Ladue School District, St. Louis, Missouri
- Kay Brimijoin
Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson
"Translates the need for differentiation into a format that breaks down the 'why' into the 'how.' By using conversations between real teachers and a coach as they undergo the endeavor of putting differentiation into practice, the authors have provided the means for practitioners to see firsthand how theory can become reality."
—Jason Thompson, Fifth-Grade Teacher
Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District, NY
"This book has a great variety of lessons contributed by teachers—very well laid out and easy to follow. The book provides good examples of using differentiation across subject areas."
—Wendy Rader, Kindergarten Teacher
Union County Public Schools, Charlotte, NC
Watch what happens when educators put differentiation to work in real classrooms!
Every student has unique learning styles, interests, and preferences. By differentiating instruction, teachers can reach all the students in their classroom, from struggling students to the gifted. Based on research and the authors' experiences at one remarkable elementary school, Differentiation at Work, K–5 describes what schoolwide differentiation looks like in real classrooms.
Lane Narvaez and Kay Brimijoin show school administrators how differentiated instruction can be successfully implemented schoolwide and provide teachers with authentic tools for the classroom. Readers will find:
- Nine sample lesson plans from a variety of disciplines and grade levels, with materials included
- Voices of teachers, students, and other members of the school community describing their experiences with differentiation
- A chapter on supporting schoolwide implementation through coaching
- Preassessments to determine students' prior knowledge
- Strategies for designing and refining lessons
- Applications at the district level
This hands-on resource demonstrates how increased student achievement can become a reality when the entire school focuses on making differentiation work.
"Translates the many books on the market that advocate the need for differentiation into a format that breaks down the 'why' into the 'how.' By using conversations between real teachers and a coach as they undergo the endeavor of putting differentiation into practice, the authors have provided the means for practitioners to move beyond resistance and see firsthand how theory can become reality and the synergetic effect that can be achieved when a whole school joins in the process together.”
"The book is well written and supported by past research as well as data collected across time in a specific school site. This book presents the voices of educators and not only contains positive results, but also discusses the challenges faced when implementing a differentiated curricular model schoolwide. It presents real student and teacher artifacts that make it more user-friendly for classroom practitioners and credential students.”
“This book has a great variety of lessons contributed by teachers. They are laid out very well and easy to follow. The book gives good examples of using differentiation across subject areas."
“The lesson examples and teacher voices in this book are a particular strength.”
Sample Materials & Chapters
Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson
Chapter 1: Making Differentiation Successful for Students and Teachers