Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom: How to Reach and Teach All Learners

by Diane Heacox

Book with CD-Rom

Some children learn easily, while others struggle. How can teachers make sure that every child has opportunities to develop his or her talents? The answer is changing the pace, level, or kind of instruction in response to learners’ needs, styles, and/or interests. In this timely, practical guide, Diane Heacox presents a menu of strategies for any teacher faced with a spectrum of student needs and styles. This title was updated in 2008 to include a CD-Rom with reproducible forms. 

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development, School

166 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Yara Hossam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved how engaging the book is. It gives great examples and brilliant ideas for differentiation. And it is definitely structured in a way that makes it really easy to follow and keep up. I’m definitely using the resources in it at the beginning of the next educational year.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another differentaition guide, this one completely focused on the practical, everyday needs of teachers and students in a differentiated classroom. Be sure to get the CD, which contains templates that can be adapted to individual needs. It is especially handy for teachers who don't have the time to create everything themselves (all of us).

Heacox gives brief, to the point examples of differentiation strategies and situations and then provides classroom tested templates for meeting the needs of a wide variety of learners. I LOVE the Integration Matrix.

[Hoda Marmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it comprehensive, practical, well organized, and appealing to read. I read it on the side for a Differentiation course, and found it has added a lot to the textbooks we are using in class. It has helped me delve deeper into differentiation. I loved the practical tips and examples given as a guide and model. The part on grading (chapter 8) was my favorite because grading was always treated theoretically in other books I have read on, but Heacox detailed how an assessment sheet can be delivered and graded. It is highly recommended to educators.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say I "really liked it," as 4 stars supposedly indicates, but I learned a lot from this book, mainly what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing as a teacher. Okay, I suppose I do differentiate somewhat, but according to this book, not much.

The book is overwhelming, which is why I give it 4 stars. They do encourage you to start small, though, and with their organizational and management techniques, I could see this program working very well.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't find this book particularly helpful but that's only becuase my district offers a ton of professional development. For someone who's never done curriculum mapping, essential questions in those maps, or differentiation before this is a great starter book. Still, it was a nice little refresher course before I begin the school year and the CD included that comes with premade forms will save me a lot of time and research making up my own materials.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has many useful suggestions for how to differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of gifted students in the classroom. It provides practical and useful advice for teachers, not theory that the teacher must somehow figure out how to implement.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for a teacher who wants to brush up on differentiating.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a valuable book. i learned so much from this one text, which changed my teaching methods instantly.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. A lot of la-la, froo-froo, but also some great ideas. The matrices and differentiation ideas led to some great products as I did my homework for the class I read this in.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book for planning new classroom curriculum or updating a class for a fresh start.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Full of ideas a teacher could implement anytime of the year. Differentiate in small steps, like the author suggests. Reproducibles are very user friendly.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great strategies for instruction.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good information to use in ideal situations.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the worksheets and examples to make use of the strategies. They made the text approachable and more relevant.

[Bushrabasheer]

Awasome