Using Formative Assessment to Differentiate Middle School Literacy Instruction


Book Description

We all recognize the countless benefits of differentiated instruction. The challenge is in its implementation. Faced with a classroom of 25 students-each with very different needs-how can we possibly keep every student on track and motivated? Through formative assessment and efficient follow-up instruction. This start-to-finish guide will show you how through seven classroom-tested practices for maximizing student learning. Experts on this subject, Leslie Laud and Pooja Patel demonstrate how to Establish new classroom norms Involve students in the use of assessment data and feedback to inform their next steps Clarify end-of-unit criteria to help map learning progression Apply assessment data to group students for tiered activities Differentiate assignments based on student readiness, characteristics, and interest Best of all, Using Formative Assessment to Differentiate Middle School Literacy Instruction is packed with vignettes, sample worksheets, and charts to assist you through each step in the process. Armed with this tool kit, you'll quickly discover new ways to keep all students engaged in their learning. Book jacket.







Assessing Middle and High School Mathematics & Science


Book Description

For middle and high school teachers of mathematics and science, this book is filled with examples of instructional strategies that address students’ readiness levels, interests, and learning preferences. It shows teachers how to formatively assess their students by addressing differentiated learning targets. Included are detailed examples of differentiated formative assessment schedules, plus tips on how to collaborate with others to improve assessment processes. Teachers will learn how to adjust instruction for the whole class, for small groups, and for individuals. They will also uncover step-by-step procedures for creating their own lessons infused with opportunities to formatively assess students who participate in differentiated learning activities.




Differentiated Literacy Strategies for English Language Learners, Grades K–6


Book Description

Effective ways to help ELLs excel As you tailor your teaching to engage the increasing number of English language learners, the key to success is focusing on literacy. Adapted from the highly successful Differentiated Literacy Strategies for Student Growth and Achievement in Grades K–6, this book provides a wealth of grade-specific literacy strategies that not only increase student achievement but also increase it rapidly. The authors provide proven practical tools for differentiating instruction to meet language and individual learning styles. Teachers will find an instructional and assessment framework designed to promote these critical competencies: Functional literacy in phonics, spelling, and reading Content-area literacy for vocabulary, concept attainment, and comprehension Technological literacy for information searching, evaluation, and synthesis Innovative literacy for creativity, growth, and lifelong learning Included are more than 100 planning models, matrixes, rubrics, and checklists. Teachers with students who have had interrupted formal education or come from newly arrived immigrant populations will find a wealth of proven methods for giving ELLs every opportunity to succeed.




How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms


Book Description

First published in 1995 as How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, this new edition reflects evolving best practices, practitioners' experience, and Tomlinson's ongoing thinking about how to help all students access high-quality curriculum; engage in meaningful learning experiences; and feel safe and valued in their school. Written as a practical guide for teachers, this expanded 3rd edition of Carol Ann Tomlinson's groundbreaking work covers the fundamentals of differentiation and provides additional guidelines and new strategies for how to go about it. You'll learn What differentiation is and why it's essential How to set up the flexible and supportive learning environment that promotes success How to manage a differentiated classroom How to plan lessons differentiated by readiness, interest, and learning profile How to differentiate content, process, and products How to prepare students, parents, and yourself for the challenge of differentiation We differentiate instruction to honor the reality of the students we teach. They are energetic and outgoing. They are quiet and curious. They are confident and self-doubting. They are interested in a thousand things and deeply immersed in a particular topic. They are academically advanced and "kids in the middle" and struggling due to cognitive, emotional, economic, or sociological challenges. More of them than ever speak a different language at home. They learn at different rates and in different ways. And they all come together in our academically diverse classrooms.




Differentiated Assessment Strategies


Book Description

Boost student achievement with easy-to-use formative assessment tools This new version of the bestseller provides research-based and practical formative assessment tools, strategies, and activities that simplify the process of identifying students’ strengths and needs. Updated features include a new chapter on exciting ways to engage learners in self-assessment; more tools for assessing before, after, and during learning; and approaches to help students take ownership of their own learning. The authors give teachers: Strategies for all grade levels and content areas Tools for interpreting ongoing assessment data for immediate intervention and planning Methods for determining learner preferences, cognitive styles, and multiple intelligences Tips for establishing a positive environment for assessment







Assessing Middle and High School Social Studies & English


Book Description

For middle and high school teachers teachers of social studies and English, this book is filled with examples of instructional strategies that address students’ readiness levels, interests, and learning preferences. It shows teachers how to formatively assess their students by addressing differentiated learning targets. Included are detailed examples of differentiated formative assessment schedules plus tips on how to collaborate with others to improve assessment processes. Teachers will learn how to adjust instruction for the whole class, for small groups, and for individuals. They will also uncover step-by-step procedures for creating their own lessons infused with opportunities to formatively assess students who participate in differentiated learning activities.




Differentiated Assessment for Middle and High School Classrooms


Book Description

This book shows middle and high school teachers in differentiated classrooms how to integrate assessment into the teaching and learning process. With examples from real classrooms, this book demonstrates how to use a wide variety of assessment to better address the needs of your students with regard to their learning style, level of cognitive ability, skill level, interests, etc. Included are detailed examples of both formative and summative assessments.




The Differentiated Classroom


Book Description

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.