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Every Math Learner, Grades 6-12
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Every Math Learner, Grades 6-12
A Doable Approach to Teaching With Learning Differences in Mind

  • Nanci N. Smith - Effective Classrooms Educational Consulting, LLC (President & CEO)

Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson



February 2017 | 352 pages | Corwin

As a secondary mathematics teacher, you know that students are different and learn differently. And yet, when students enter your classroom, you somehow must teach these unique individuals deep mathematics content using rigorous standards. The curriculum is vast and the stakes are high. Is differentiation really the answer?  How can you make it work?

Nationally recognized math differentiation expert Nanci Smith debunks the myths, revealing what differentiation is and isn’t. In this engaging book Smith reveals a practical approach to teaching for real learning differences. You’ll gain insights into an achievable, daily differentiation process for ALL students.

Theory-lite and practice-heavy, this book shows how to maintain order and sanity while helping your students know, understand, and even enjoy doing mathematics. Classroom videos, teacher vignettes, ready-to-go lesson ideas and rich mathematics examples help you build a manageable framework of engaging, sense-making math. 

Busy secondary mathematics teachers, coaches, and teacher teams will learn to

  • Provide practical structures for assessing how each of your students learns and processes mathematics concepts
  • Design, implement, manage, and formatively assess and respond to learning in a differentiated classroom
  • Plan specific, standards-aligned differentiated lessons, activities, and assessments
  • Adjust current instructional materials and program resources to better meet students' needs

This book includes classroom videos, in-depth student work samples, student surveys, templates, before-and-after lesson demonstrations, examples of 5-day sequenced lessons, and a robust companion website with downloadables of all the tools in the books plus other resources for further planning. Every Math Learner, Grades 6-12 will help you know and understand your students as learners for daily differentiation that accelerates their mathematics comprehension.

“This book is an excellent resource for teachers and administrators alike. It clearly explains key tenants of effective differentiation and through an interactive approach offers numerous practical examples of secondary mathematics differentiation. This book is a must read for any educator looking to reach all students.”
—Brad Weinhold, Ed.D., Assistant Principal, Overland High School

 
Video Contents
 
Foreword by Carol Ann Tomlinson
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
CHAPTER 1. START UP: Why Knowing and Addressing Students’ Learning Differences Is Critical
Introduction

 
What Differentiation Is and Is Not

 
A Glance at a Differentiated Classroom

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 2. FIND OUT: Strategies for Determining Who Each of Your Students Is as a Mathematics Learner
Who Our Learners Are

 
Strategies to Determine Readiness

 
Strategies to Determine Interest

 
Strategies to Determine Learning Profile

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 3. TEACH UP: Making Sense of Rigorous Mathematical Content
Mathematics Makes Sense

 
Themes and Big Ideas in Mathematics

 
Teaching Up

 
What Learning Mathematics With Understanding Looks Like

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 4. STEP UP: How to Make Proactive Planning Decisions That Deepen Thinking
Decisions, Decisions

 
Differentiation and KUDs

 
Strategies for Differentiation

 
Classroom Structures

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 5. SET IT UP: Establishing the Right Tone to Make Differentiation Doable
A Healthy Learning Environment

 
Embracing Fair

 
Everybody Learns

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 6. POWER ON: Mastering and Modeling Daily Routines for Achievement All Year
Classroom Routines

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 7. STEP BACK: Tools for Assessing and Evaluating in a Differentiated Classroom
Assessment For, Of, and As Learning

 
Principles to Develop Assessments

 
Designing Effective Assessments

 
Conclusion

 
Frequently Asked Questions

 
Keepsakes and Plans

 
 
CHAPTER 8. CLOSE UP: A Week in the Life of a Differentiated Mathematics Classroom
A Look Into a Week in a Middle School Classroom

 
A Look Into a Week in a High School Classroom

 
Advice From the Field

 
Conclusion

 
 
Appendix A: Further Reading on the Topic of English Language Learners
 
Appendix B: Further Reading on the Topic of Special Education
 
Appendix C: Further Reading on the Topic of Rich Problems and Mathematical Discourse
 
References
 
Index

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 3: Teach Up

Chapter 1: Start Up


This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.