So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation

How do we educate so all can learn? What does differentiation look like when done successfully? This practical guide to differentiation answers these questions and more. Based on national and international work, McCarthy shares how educators finally understand how differentiation can work. Bridging pedagogy and practice, each chapter addresses a key understanding for how good teaching practices can include differentiation with examples and concrete methods and strategies. The book is constructed to differentiate for diverse educators: veteran of many years to the pre-service teacher, classroom teacher leader to administrator as instructional leader, and coaches for staff professional development: ·Presents common language for staff discussing learner needs. ·Provides structures for designing powerful learning experiences so all can learn. ·Includes chapter reflection questions and job-embedded tasks to help readers process and practice what they learn. ·Explore a supporting website with companion resources. All learners deserve growth. All teachers and administrators deserve methods and practices that helps them to meet learner needs in an ever challenging education environment. Take this journey so all can learn.

Table of Contents:
Foreword: Syndee Malek Introduction Chapter 1: What is Differentiation, Really? The Challenge and Promise of Differentiation Lens on Learning The Differentiation Relationship The “Real” Differentiation Relationship Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflections Chapter 2: Differentiation Can Be Done Well The Dorothy Principle Making Differentiation Visible Assistance When Lesson Plans Run into Students Crossroad Lessons Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 3: Assessments Matter: making learning specific and realistic Assessment for Learning Formative Assessment Cycle (FAC) Finding Time Multiple Ways to Demonstrate Learning Eliminating Assessment Fog Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 4: Informative Assessments for The Whole Learner Learning In and Out of Airplane Mode Choice-Based Strategies The Whole Student: Four Data Paths that influence Learning Fair is not always Equal: 4 Pathways Merge into One Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 5: The Truth about Differentiated Instruction 1. Differentiation is Too Difficult 2. There is not enough time to differentiate 3. The curriculum is over packed 4. Need to prepare for the high-stakes tests by covering all the material 5. Crowded classrooms makes differentiation too difficult Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 6: Learner Voice Matters The Realms of Differentiation Learner Voice over Student Choice Letting Go of Control Eliminating Airplane Mode in Education – Part Two Teacher Growth-Mindset Leads to Learner Voice Creating a Culture for Student Voice Pedagogical Needs for Student Voice Practical Support of Student Voice Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 7: Differentiation in Practice: Readiness for ALL Readiness Guidelines Teaching Readiness through Content Teaching Readiness through Process Teaching Readiness through Products Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 8: Differentiation in Practice: Interests for ALL Interests Guidelines Teaching Interests through Content Teaching Interests through Processes Teaching Interests through Products Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Chapter 9: Differentiation in Practice: Learning Preferences for ALL Learning Preferences Guidelines Learning Profile Cards Teaching Learning Preferences through Content Teaching Learning Preferences through Processes Teaching Learning Preferences through Products Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Appendix: Differentiation and Research The Differentiation Lens Final Thoughts Invitations to Reflection Acknowledgments About the Author

About the Author :
John McCarthy consults and coaches educators internationally on innovative practices that support student voice, with Differentiation a core principle. Starting out as a high school teacher, and later an adjunct professor, McCarthy has taught and witnessed learning in many settings—urban to rural communities, areas of high affluence to entrenched poverty, and cultures with a fixed mindset to havens of innovation in some of the most surprising locations.

Review :
Not only does McCarthy provide the basics to bolster the masterful in his book, but he also formats the text in a way that provides maximum ease and effectiveness for deciphering and digesting his essential themes. . . . So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation by John McCarthy proves to be a book worth reading and discussing with educators interested in the serious yet accessible pursuit of differentiating their classroom. It is potent in the ways that count most, and McCarthy consistently brings home the central message that “because they [the students], not me, are in control of learning . . . differentiation becomes just how learning happens” (p. xi). In So All Can Learn, John McCarthy treats readers to a plethora of activities and instructional ideas, complete with cutting-edge technology integration for the modern-day teacher and student. This seminal resource ties together a wide variety of instructional paradigms into one cohesive framework for instruction. It is chock full of useful examples, with tear-and-teach lesson ideas for every subject. This book is a must for every teacher and administrator! In So All Can Learn, John McCarthy shares strategies, tips, and techniques for effectively differentiating instruction so that all students develop skills and knowledge through experiences that meet their needs and match their learning styles. More importantly, McCarthy helps educators create a classroom culture focused on growth mindset, which is a fundamental feature of 21st century learning. In So All Can Learn, John McCarthy gives his audience a comprehensive and practical explanation on how differentiation CAN be possible in our teaching practices. The differentiation methods each chapter presents are ones an educator can do - not someday - but immediately. In addition, the reflection section for each chapter invites the reader to deepen their understanding in connection to their own instruction and classroom culture. John McCarthy has created an impressive and essential approach to dealing with the complexity of meeting the needs of all students. One size instruction does not fit all students. So All Can Learn is an important resource for educators because it introduces teachers to the differentiation lens. By using the differentiation lens, teachers “have a proactive impact on learning through collecting and using assessment data to inform instruction” for their students. For busy teachers, tailoring instruction to meet each student’s needs can seem like an impossible dream. The best of plans and intentions can get waylaid by crowded classrooms, high-stakes tests, diverse learners, and the day-to-day demands of teaching. In his accessible new book, John McCarthy removes one obstacle after another to help teachers refocus on their primary goal: helping all students succeed. So All Can Learn explains why every student deserves differentiated instruction. With McCarthy as knowledgeable guide, the book shows how to clear away assessment fog, clean up data, and clarify why and when students need supports and stretches. With plentiful examples, he shows us the power of differentiation to help all students unlock their potential. I enthusiastically, sincerely recommend John McCarthy’s So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation from these perspectives: As an educator, I can use this resource in my planning, collaboration and reflection immediately. The resources and best practices are practical, cleanly organized and richly supported with context that values the realities of a frenetic, dense day.As a colleague, I can personally attest to John’s integrity, work ethic and professional empathy. So All Can Learn is aptly titled: he establishes and does not relinquish the focus of aligning instructional decision-making on behalf of the evolving needs of ALL learners.As a parent, I steadfastly hope that my and others’ children benefit from teachers and administrators who leverage this resource in their curriculum and assessment planning and professional leadership. So All Can Learn unpacks differentiated instruction in thoughtful, innovative ways by championing the voice and choice of children.As an educational leader and professional developer, I objectively attest that John McCarthy has created a resource that powerfully synthesizes the rigor demanded by the most assertive of administrators with the frank experience and technical know-how that committed educators expect around differentiated instruction.Classroom educators, site and central administrators, coaches, and specialists can readily apply So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation within their learning communities. John’s voice is deeply engaging and thoughtful. The practices, resources, and frameworks he shares align powerfully with modern, progressive pedagogical and assessment trajectories. Most importantly, John’s recommendations and perspectives synthesize respected educational theory with his real-time experience as a coach and consultant. Over the last four years, I have personally observed educators across the United States successfully applying innovative, sustainable practices around differentiated instruction in partnership with John McCarthy.