Every student has unique learning styles, interests, and preferences. By differentiating instruction, teachers can reach all the students in their classroom, from struggling students to the gifted. Based on research and the authors' experiences at one remarkable elementary school, Differentiation at Work, K-5 describes what schoolwide differentiation looks like in real classrooms. Lane Narvaez and Kay Brimijoin show school administrators how differentiated instruction can be successfully implemented schoolwide and provide teachers with authentic tools for the classroom. Readers will find: - Nine sample lesson plans from a variety of disciplines and grade levels, with materials included - Voices of teachers, students, and other members of the school community describing their experiences with differentiation - A chapter on supporting schoolwide implementation through coaching - Preassessments to determine students' prior knowledge - Strategies for designing and refining lessons - Applications at the district level This hands-on resource demonstrates how increased student achievement can become a reality when the entire school focuses on making differentiation work.

Looking for advice and guidance on how to implement differentiated instruction throughout your school? Learn from the experts. Administrators and teachers alike will find viable ideas and answers to questions as leaders at two schools share milestones and vignettes from their real-life experiences in converting entire faculties to this dynamic approach to teaching and learning. The authors balance broadly applicable guidance with specific illustrations of how two schools-a middle-income elementary school and a mixed-income high school-experienced the change process in dramatically different ways. In both instances, the new approach to teaching and learning had sweeping, positive results for staff and students. Carol Ann Tomlinson, Kay Brimijoin, and Lane Narvaez have combined their expertise with differentiation in schools-including professional development, research, leadership, coaching, and teaching-to highlight factors that contributed to the continuing success of school reinvention efforts such as: Approaching change with the particular school culture in mind. Leading a staff toward change with appropriate pushes, pauses, and acknowledgments. Fostering continued growth in understanding and skill with differentiation in the classroom. Encouraging teachers to reinforce one another's strengths. Monitoring progress toward expanded flexibility in instructional approaches. Nurturing teacher leaders who can sustain the effort beyond one principal's tenure. Providing strong support and role models for deep and broad changes in the school's teaching practices and learning potential. Every educator seeking to move beyond isolated efforts to differentiate instruction will find practical support and inspiration in this book. At the same time, you'll gain understanding about the key characteristics needed for deep, lasting instructional change that taps into the learning potential of all students in your classrooms and schools.