Differentiating the High School Classroom

Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction: I Just Can't Do That in MY School / Classroom / Situation Teachers are Creative People Laugh and the World Laughs with You So what is differentiated instruction? Obstacle #1: I Long to Return Back to The Good Old Days A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Obstacle #2: I Thought I Was Differentiating A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Obstacle #3: I Teach the Way I Was Taught A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #4: I Don't Know How A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies The Easiest Road to Differentiation is Student Choice Add A Second Piece: Accountability Finish with the Final Piece: Encouraging Higher-Level Thinking Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #5: I Have Too Much Content to Cover A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Realize That you Can't Lecture Fast Enough Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #6: I'm Good at Lecturing A Description of the Issue Classrooms May Result in A Power Struggle Solution Strategies Perception is Everything Gain Control by Giving Some of It Up Obstacle #7: I Can't See How I Would Grade All Those Different Assignments A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Setting up a Paper or Electronic Grade Book Entering Only Unit Grades and Exams Entering Grades by Sub-Units Entering Grades by Objectives Daily or Weekly Grades Design a Grade Scale by Considering "What's an A worth?" And on What Basis Or Criteria Do We Award Points, Marks and Grades? Design a Grade Scale by Considering "What's an F worth?" Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #8: I Thought Differentiated Instruction Was for Elementary Schools A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #9: I Subscribe to Ability Grouping A Description of the Issue Segregation Within the Classroom Preparing Global Thinkers Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #10: I Have Real Logistical Issues A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies & Practice Assignments for Overcoming These Obstacles Liability Issues Scheduling Issues The Room is Too Small Obstacle #11: I Want My Classroom Under Control A Description of the Issue Perception of Control Trumps All Leadership Style Determines Perception of Control An Easy Measure of Leadership Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #12: I Don't Know How to Measure My Students' Learning Style A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Take a cue from your IEP's Provide a Home Base Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle#13: I Have Neither the Time Nor the Funding for All That A Description of the Time Issue I Don't Have the Time to Plan for All That Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle A Description of the Funding Issue Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #14: I've Been Teaching This Way for Years and It Works A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle#15: There's No Support For It At My School A Description of the Issue Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #16: My District Requires Me to Follow a Prescribed Text A Description of the Issue Textbook Options Can Create More Effective Readers A Variety of Reading Materials Keeps Information Updated A Variety of Texts Makes the Information Available to More Students Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #17: Parents Expect Lecture Format in High School For College Prep A Description of the Issue Differentiated Reading Strategies Help Prepare Students for College Learning Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Obstacle #18: The Bottom Line-If They Are Learning, You Are Teaching A Description of the Issue Some Students Struggle with Linguistic Dependent Input and Output Some Students Struggle with Visual Input and Output Solution Strategies Practice Assignments for Overcoming This Obstacle Suggestions for Further Reading Layered Curriculum and Other Specific Strategies for Differentiating Instruction Neuroscience and Learning Inclusion Strategies Control Theory and Self Efficacy Pedagogical Theory History of the United States School System Classroom and School Leadership References Index