Student-Driven Differentiation: 8 Steps to Harmonize Learning in the Classroom, Oct/2018

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 

1. Identify the criteria for positive teacher-student relationships
2. Examine four areas for differentiated learning – content, process, product, environment
3. Describe the process of planning and implementing student-driven differentiation
4. Motivate and support you in your student-driven differentiation journey
5. 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.

About the Author:

Lisa Westman has over 15 years of experience as a teacher (gifted humanities, English Language Arts, social studies), and as an instructional coach specializing in differentiation. Lisa is a currently a writer, consultant, and speaker, working with school systems across the country to effectively implement student-driven differentiation, standards based learning, and instructional coaching programs. Lisa is passionate about teaching and learning; she is dedicated to effecting change which positively impacts both student and educator learning.

Lisa frequently presents for school districts and at educational conferences. She has presented at ASCD, Visible Learning, IAGC, ICE, IETC, ILASCD, The Gifted and Talented Consortium of Wisconsin CESA 7, and ICIC. Lisa is a frequent opinion contributor to EdWeek, EdWeek Teacher, Corwin Connect, and her personal blog, Put Me In, Coach. This is her first book.

Lisa is married to an educator, the parent of a third-grader and a sixth-grader, enjoys destressing at the Bar Method, loves music and the City of Chicago!