Differentiation That Really Works: Math (Grades 6-12)
Strategies from Real Teachers for Real Classrooms
Authors: Cheryll M. Adams, Ph.D. and Rebecca L. Pierce, Ph.D.
Publisher: Prufrock Press
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
For this review I defer to the professional opinion of my partner Mike, who is a substitute teacher for grades 6-12 and often has to take over classrooms with students of vastly different skill levels, usually with very little notice.
Mike: This book is really written with teachers in mind. I recognize a lot of strategies as being applicable to the Maine Learning Results (where I did my degree) but also easily adapted to the Nova Scotia Provincial Outcomes (where I teach now). The contract with the student, in particular, could be used to reflect whatever academic goals were required.
One idea from the book that I'll definitely try is the tic-tac-toe choice board. The goal is to get students to complete three math problems out of a possible nine so that their choices form a straight line on the board. Not only does this give students a feeling of control (everyone prefers to have choices) it would also give me a sense of which problems each student felt were the easiest and which ones they avoided.
One idea from the book that I'll definitely try is the tic-tac-toe choice board. The goal is to get students to complete three math problems out of a possible nine so that their choices form a straight line on the board. Not only does this give students a feeling of control (everyone prefers to have choices) it would also give me a sense of which problems each student felt were the easiest and which ones they avoided.
Overall this book is practical, flexible and helpful.
Thanks, Mike, for the input!
