Differentiation for the Adolescent Learner
Accommodating Brain Development, Language, Literacy, and Special Needs
- Glenda Beamon Crawford - Elon University, USA
Differentiation & Multiple Intelligences | High School Teaching Methods | Inclusive Education
—Mark A. Springer, Teacher
Radnor Middle School, Wayne, PA
Activate learning with practical techniques that put brain research and technology into practice!
The changes and complexities of the adolescent mind bring unique challenges as well as opportunities to the classroom. This valuable resource for student-centered teaching provides keys to curriculum design, instruction, and assessment within the context of a developmentally appropriate, differentiated approach.
Translating the latest brain research into practical classroom strategies, the author focuses on the adolescent learner and outlines brain-compatible instructional strategies applicable to all students, including English Language Learners, gifted populations, and others with special needs. Readers will encounter a six-point differentiated model based on adolescents' need for personal connection, appropriate intellectual challenge, emotional engagement, guided social interaction, metacognitive development, and a supportive learning environment. The guide also equips teachers with ready-to-use tips, tools, and resources, including:
Ways to capitalize on technology to enhance differentiated instruction
Brain-friendly strategies grounded in current neuroscience research and universal design for learning (UDL)
Straightforward explanations on how changes in adolescent brain structure impact learning
Techniques to create and manage a classroom environment aligned with adolescents' specific developmental needs
Focusing on learners' intellectual, social, and emotional development, Differentiation for the Adolescent Learner offers a proven plan for teachers to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire students to take control of their own learning.
"Provides research-based strategies that are easy to understand and implement."
"An important contribution for teachers serious about helping adolescents learn. The book provides tools for a deliberate approach to focus on student learning."
"Presents a broad and coherent framework that builds connections across theories of adolescent learning and development. The curriculum ideas, questions that prompt teachers’ self-reflection, and guidance for curriculum development all offer tangible tools to teacher educators and leaders in professional development efforts."
"There is something for everyone here. A valuable resource for experienced teachers starting on the road to curriculum integration or switching to teaching adolescents. Preservice teachers would also benefit, because the book emphasizes the nature of the learner."
"Crawford admirably succeeds at addressing perhaps the most demanding of all adolescent educational endeavors: the daily challenge in educating and preparing adolescents' minds and talents for continued future growth. This is a must-read book for teachers and an excellent guide for parents."
"The implications of this type of learning environment for the middle school student are profound. My students will be excited to be a part of such a classroom!"
"Provides teachers with practical approaches to integrate and implement research-based instructional practices that focus on individual student needs."
"Crawford has done a remarkable job of bringing together cutting edge ideas on the differentiation of curriculum and instruction. Her six Es give readers a framework for thinking about the essential aspects of differentiation while her overarching goal of empowering students to manage their own learning provides a vital thread throughout."
"Crawford's book is one that middle grades teachers can truly use. This is the kind of reference that becomes well worn, dog-eared, and written in, not dusty and hidden on a bookshelf."
