Conduct Orchestras, Not Trains "What if we understood that we can teach the important ideas and skills of the disciplines in a hundred different ways?  And that students can learn them in a hundred different ways?"  – Carol Ann Tomlinson How can teachers create harmony in the classroom when the educational field is lacking tangible action plans for how to differentiate learning for every student?  Full of just-in-time, step-by-step guidance, Student-Driven Differentiation: 8 Steps to Harmonize Learning in the Classroom will show you how to incorporate student voice and choice in the process of planning for differentiation. This unique approach is based on building collaborative student-teacher relationships as a precursor to student growth. The result? Every student learns according to their own needs.  Organized into three parts for quick reference, this book will lay the foundation for student-driven differentiation and  Identify the criteria for positive teacher-student relationships Examine four areas for differentiated learning – content, process, product, environment Describe the process of planning and implementing student-driven differentiation Motivate and support you in your student-driven differentiation journey Provide unique examples and engaging vignettes throughout, including a fun project inspired by Shark Tank! Student-Driven Differentiation illustrates relevant, real life examples of authentic learning, using student-driven differentiation as the foundation for these experiences. You’ll also receive an 8-step roadmap outlining actionable strategies that will help you foster a culture of student-driven differentiation and student-driven leadership.  

Table of Contents:
List of Online Tools and Resources Foreword Preface Why Did I Write This Book? What Is Student-Driven Differentiation? Student-Driven Leadership: A Crucial Component to Student-Driven Differentiation How to Read This Book Acknowledgments About the Author Part I: Foundation Chapter 1: Relationships Come First What Are the Criteria for Positive Teacher–Student Relationships? How Do You Build Respectful Relationships? Discussion Questions Chapter 2: Differentiation Is What Happens When Teachers Focus on Student Growth Differentiation Lessons Learned Lesson 1: Differentiation Is Not a Goal—It Is a Result Lesson 2: The Terms Data and Assessment Are Often Misunderstood Lesson 3: It Is Easy to See Different—It Is Not Easy to See Differentiation Lesson 4: Differentiation May Never Feel “Easy” Lesson 5: There Will Always Be Challenges and a Way to Overcome Them Discussion Questions Chapter 3: Four Areas to Differentiate Content: What Is to Be Learned? Process: How Students Acquire Knowledge Product: How Students Demonstrate Learning Learning Environment: Where and With Whom Students Learn Discussion Questions Part II: Implementation Chapter 4: Planning Student- Driven Differentiation Step 1: Define Step 2: Hook Step 3: Assess and Analyze Step 4: Group Students Strategically Discussion Questions Chapter 5: Include Student Voice Step 5: Set a Goal Step 6: Differentiate Step 7: Monitor Progress Step 8: Assess Again Discussion Questions Chapter 6: Student-Driven Differentiation Through Experiential Learning Student-Driven Differentiation Example 1: Shark Tank Student-Driven Differentiation Example 2: Mock Trial Student-Driven Differentiation Example 3: The Amazing Geography Race Student-Driven Differentiation Example 4: Mock ER Discussion Questions Part III: Reimagining Schools Chapter 7: Create Learning Environments That Promote Student Ownership Don’t Update the Factory Model; Discard It Altogether Meet the Needs of All Students Design Classrooms Conducive to Student-Driven Differentiation Make Student Ownership Part of the Classroom Culture Use Technology to Promote Learning and Creativity Monitor Student Progress Toward Learning Intentions Enlist Parents’ Help in Furthering Student Learning Discussion Questions Chapter 8: The Role of Choice in Meeting Learning Intentions Offer Choices That Fulfill Learning Needs Example 1: Use Choice as Part of Curriculum Compacting Example 2: Align Choice to Learning Intentions Example 3: Incorporate Choice in Homework Assignments Example 4: Use Choice to Give Students Ownership of Their Own Learning Example 5: Use Choice to Allow Students to Work at Their Own Pace Example 6: Use Choice to Promote Student Autonomy and Student Efficacy Lack of Choice Can Inhibit Creativity Discussion Questions Chapter 9: Your Journey With Student-Driven Differentiation We Are Entrusted With Instilling the Desire to Learn We Are Better Together: Collective Efficacy Mastery Experience: Set Goals to Increase Efficacy Vicarious Experiences: Observe Teachers in Action Social Persuasion: Inspire Through Storytelling Affective States: Support Fellow Educators Through Positive Communication Now What? Summing It All Up Discussion Questions Afterword Glossary References Index