Differentiating Instruction

Features

Differentiating Instruction: Why Bother?
Carol Ann Tomlinson
The real reason differentiating instruction is so important in the middle grades is that it can help students see themselves as competent.

Different, Differentiated, and Daily
Gayle Andrews
We know all students are different, but how do we use that knowledge?

Diversity and Motivation in the Middle School: Reaching All Students
Charles A. Beaman
The growing trend toward inclusion of special-needs and ELL students in the regular classroom, combined with NCLB requirements, makes it imperative that educators motivate all students to learn.

Teacher–Pupil Planning: Democracy in the Classroom
William J. Grobe
In democratic classrooms, students and teachers work together to set learning goals and determine learning paths to meet those goals.

Librarians/Media Specialists: Unsung Superheroes
Jan Burgess
In these days of competing priorities and demands that rush at us non-stop, where do administrators find their own superheroes? Try the library.

Terror into Triumph: Discipline in the Middle Grades Classroom
Kristi Brown
We cannot control our students' feelings, but we can discuss appropriate ways of dealing with and expressing those feelings.

Shakesperience: Appreciating the Classics
Wendy Jackson
Teachers get students excited about studying Shakespeare by involving them in their learning. That's just what this teacher did.

Departments

Editor's Note
Patricia George

Perspective
Sue Swaim
The Power of Positive Relationships

News to Use
Information to promote effective middle level education.

Teams in Action
Joan Bachmeier, Angie Shepler, Mark Vaughn, Mark Veneziano, and Susan Huston
Project Moon BEAMS

Hot Links
Brenda A. Dyck
Differentiation: Looking to Dr. Seuss

Teaching in the Middle
Rick Wormeli
Tiering: Adjusting the Level of Challenge

The Mark of Leadership
Marian White-Hood
Curves Ahead: Signs for Transforming Practice

Reviews and Resources
Books and resources of interest to middle level educators.

Megaphone
Amusing, interesting, and provocative comments from the field of middle level education.

Spotlight on the middle school concept
Intro
Patrica George
Creating Significant Middle Schools in the Age of Accountability
Mark L'Esperance, Vernon Farrington, and Angelia Fryer