Differentiation Resources | Bibliography | So All Can Learn Resources
Here are some of the best books that address Differentiated Instruction. For more resources and ideas please contact me.
- John McCarthy. So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation
Combines the best of practical strategies with instructional planning concepts in each chapter. Helps teachers and other educators to reflect on the needs of all learners, those who struggle and those who may be advanced. Use the reflection questions and practical invitations as part of professional growth teams.
- Rick Wormeli. Fair Isn’t Always Equal (2006) – Google Books
Excellent book that addresses assessment and grading. Looks at how to be mindful that the assessment is a match for students’ learning styles so that they can best show what they know. Differentiated Instruction is addressed directly, but it’s the indirect way it’s threaded through the conversation around good assessment and grading that makes this a good book to move staff to in-depth use of differentiated instruction. - Gayle H. Gregory. The Best of Corwin: Differentiated Instruction (2011)
Check out her complete DI series. - Carol Ann Tomlinson. The Differentiated Classroom (2014)
- C.A. Tomlinson & Marcia Imbeau. A Differentiated Approach to the Common Core (2014)
- C.A. Tomlinson & T.R. Moon. Assessment and Student Success in a Differentiated Classroom (2013)
- C.A. Tomlinson. Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom: Strategies and Tools for Responsive Teaching (2003)
This book makes for an excellent study group on the philosophy and structuring of Differentiated Instruction. Carol Tomlinson commented that this should have been her first book on Differentiation. The anecdotes and real world examples clarify the theoretical understandings of curriculum, teacher planning, and students’ responding in Differentiated Instruction and Quality Instruction and Learning. Highly recommended for Teacher Leaders who plan on becoming the in-house support for their district and buildings. A variety of strategies with examples are provided in the appendix. - C.A. Tomlinson and Susan Demirsky Allan. Leadership for Differentiating Schools & Classrooms (2000) – Google Books
This book provides guidelines and suggestions for how to implement Differentiated Instruction as a systemic approach district and building-wide. District and building administrators, along with teacher coaches should use this book as a reference for developing a strategic plan for implementing Differentiated Instruction system-wide. - Carol Ann Tomlinson. How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, 2nd Edition (2001) – Google Books
This book makes for an entry point for teachers seeking a basic understanding of Differentiated Instruction. Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom is the recommended book for all educators. But in the spirit of all learners, educators included, being unique, this book can be an important and necessary stepping stone to Fulfilling the Promise. This book provides explanations of a variety of classroom strategies in the appendix.
- Carol Ann Tomlinson and Caroline Cunningham Eidson. Differentiation in Practice: A Resource Guide for Differentiating Curriculum, Grades K-5 (2003)
- Carol Ann Tomlinson and Caroline Cunningham Eidson. Differentiation in Practice: A Resource Guide for Differentiating Curriculum, Grades 5–9 (2003) – Google Books
- Carol Ann Tomlinson and Cindy A. Strickland. Differentiation in Practice: A Resource Guide for Differentiating Curriculum, Grades 9–12 (2005) – Google Books
These 3 books are an excellent resource for examples of high quality units that incorporate Differentiated Instruction effectively. It includes valuable teacher reflections about why and how the units were developed, and the effectiveness of the units. Each unit includes a unit outline, the lessons, and related materials needed to implement. The books are best used by teachers who have a basic understanding of Differentiated Instruction and/or quality unit design.
Videos
- The Common Sense of Differentiation: Meeting Specific Learner Needs in the Regular Classroom (DVD & Facilitator Guide) (#605138S25), ASCD
The classroom examples revolve around assessment, strategies, and classroom routines. The strategies presented focus around understanding students in terms of Readiness, Interests, Learning Profile, and their Affective. Carol Tomlinson and the teachers reflect on the strategies and their effectiveness as tools for differentiation.
- Instructional Strategies for the Differentiated Classroom (Disc 1 & Disc 2 + Facilitator’s Guides) (#404443S25), ASCD
These videos (approx. 35 min. each) address 7 instructional strategies for leaning: Learning Contracts, Intelligence Preferences, Tiered Assignments, Complex Instruction, RAFT, Centers, and Webquests. Carol Tomlinson and the teachers in the videos reflect on the strategies and their effectiveness as tools for differentiation.