How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms

by Carol Ann Tomlinson

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 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.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development

186 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2017

Reviews

[Darrell Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed to me to be the 90s way of doing things. It was outdated and it was too broad. Though it seems like it would work in a grammar school where the teacher has to deal with the same 30 children each day, its applicability to High School - where we deal with over a hundred students each day, then get a new set of a hundred the next semester - is rather untenable and, at best, impractical. I see why older teachers of smaller, set classrooms like this style, but there are much better ways to do things for those of us with much larger student interactions and only 50 minutes a day to spend with them. As an AP US History teacher, I found Beal and Bolick's Teaching Social Studies in Middle and Secondary Schools far more useful.

[Elli Manoogian-O’Dell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is repetitive and a lot of the strategies are common sense with new names. Some of the strategies are out of date as well in terms of technology. Tomlinson does a decent job of diving into differentiation based on interest, readiness, and learning preferences. When culture is mentioned it simply states that teachers should keep culture in mind when differentiating but does not expand at all. I think this book could be summed up in a short article with a list of strategies included.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an informative and practical guide to running a classroom with a differentiated curriculum. It is well explained and most helpful.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few chapters were useful in terms of explaining the different avenues of differentiation (process, product, and content and a combination of the three), but it got to be repetitive and convoluted. Honestly the appendix with clear, explicit overviews of differentiation strategies was most helpful. Tomlinson only briefly touches upon elements of successful classroom management and how it is a precursor to achieving differentiation, but I think she should have delved into it further or explained her reasoning for leaving that component out. I also see reviews below about her research being out of date......yikes.

[obrieo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent strategies and options for working towards a Student-Centered Learning. Some strategies seem overwhelming, but I think if I start small and work up, I could work more towards differentiated learning in my room.

[Shelby Remley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read for class🤪 I actually think this is one of the best education books I’ve read

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply Profound

This text is very clear simple and profound. If you are an educator it should convict you and cause you to reconsider how our way of teaching on way to many leaves many behind. If you are a parent it should convict you to accept where your child is and end the competition for grades-your approval-and fear of failure.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading and discussing this with a group of colleagues. I'm not new to differentiation, but Tomlinson is the queen, and a new challenge to push me a little farther is always good.

[Alex Furst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book #61 of 2021. 2/5 rating. "How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms" by Carol Ann Tomlinson. 2/5 rating.

This book had some great ideas but just had so much discussion that was unnecessary.

The idea of differentiating in a classroom is obviously needed. Students are often at varied places in their knowledge of content, their interests, and the ways in which they learn best. Unfortunately, there is just so much of this book that could be summed up under the banner of learning about the individual students and trying to work to engage each of them.

I especially was troubled by a whole chapter on learning profile that spends half of the chapter saying that there is little to no evidence that this idea even exists. The book explicitly says: "It would be wiser to encourage students to learn in more ways rather than steering them toward one mode or another." Then decides to talk more about the ideas of steering students towards different ways. I just didn't understand this!

While teaching, it's important to take in as much evidence and knowledge as possible in order to be able to apply this to our students. There just was plenty in this book that I felt was completely superfluous.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the explanation of differentiation was clear and accessible. The tips for adjustments to practice covered a wide range of areas and are easily applicable to any subject or grade level. I do wish some of the examples had been more focused on older students, as a lot of them were about elementary students and weren't totally relevant to older students (but that's my personal opinion as a secondary educator).

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another book that promises to define and model differentiation in the classroom but is instead littered with vague statements, very basic strategies, and work suggestions that go well beyond the means and abilities of one classroom teacher. Not very impressed with the overall content, as I had to read this for a book study for my school district. To be fair, there are nuggets of info that are helpful and some suggestions were valid, but it was few and far between.

[Kristi W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, full of great ideas! I will apply some of the strategies to my current GT classroom and will be exploring some of the others in hopes of helping others implement a few in their gen ed classrooms. It's a resource I will reach for again and again, I think.

[Embracing the Spectrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and understand. Great strategies.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and lots of great information! I will return to this resource multiple times!

[J Collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful

The content is very clear, organised and useful. It makes differentiation easier to understand and implement in a classroom with students with different abilities.

[Tory Hunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, clear explanations and ideas for understanding and incorporating DI in the classroom.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some solid advice and lists of suggestions. I really loved the teacher examples because it illustrated exactly how I may use some of the ideas. Definitely inspiring!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really cleared up what it means to differentiate instruction. I feel much more confident, and inspired, that I'll get this right.

[Arliea · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some interesting ideas here on differentiating for readiness, interest and learning profiles and for content, process and product. Lots of great examples and interesting ideas.

[Elvis Amoakwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear approches to differentiation for student with different abilities Very useful material

[Shameka Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read for anyone looking to employ differentiation strategies into their classroom.

[Angie Mogilefsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for a class I'm taking. None of it was a surprise, but it was straightforward and easy to follow.

[Sara Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of research, many resources, but definitely redundant in places and use of "catch phrases" and re-defined terms. The classroom vignettes were helpful.

[Sarah Shodrock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read for grad school.... boring as sin

[Bookishmom4ever]

This is a great book to help educators understand the importance of differentiated instruction. I loved the use of numerous examples, and the idea charts will definitely come in handy.

[Bella Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect, incredibly useful. I love how particular the breakdown gets and how that allows for specific examples of how to convert the ideology of differentiation into action.

[Christopher Vian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on differentiation within the classroom. Tomlinson lives up to her reputation.

[Abbi]

Accessible. Logging school reading once again.

[Kevin Driskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loaded with good information on classroom adjustments.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old strategies. Not updated or new content for teaching in recent years.