Using Formative Assessment to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction, Grades 4–10
Seven Practices to Maximize Learning
- Leslie Laud - Bank Street College of Education, New York, USA
—Douglas B. Reeves, Founder
The Leadership and Learning Center
"This book provides a wealth of information for teachers and mathematics leaders to consider when implementing intervention models, RTI programs, and differentiated instruction for low achievers through high achievers."
—Don S. Balka, Professor Emeritus
St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
"Many of the seemingly abstruse or vague concepts—such as differentiated instruction—come alive in the numerous vignettes. Included are many examples of ways to quickly assess relevant student background knowledge before teaching a new topic and how to use this information for tiered instruction following an RTI (Response to Intervention) model."
—From the foreword by Russel Gersten
Director, Instructional Research Group & Professor Emeritus, University of Oregon
Seven easy steps to differentiating math instruction for busy teachers
Are you able to support your struggling students while also challenging your high achievers? Abundant research supports the value of differentiating instruction to students' individual levels, but putting it into practice can be daunting. Staff development expert and former math teacher Leslie Laud provides a clear roadmap for using formative assessment to differentiate mathematics instruction for students in Grades 4–10. She provides a comprehensive framework of seven research-based practices that show how to:
Get started and establish norms
Implement formative assessment
Create tiered lessons
Manage a multitasking classroom effectively
Tested and enhanced by experienced math teachers, the book's strategies are designed for use in conjunction with any curriculum or textbook. Included are a wealth of practical examples, reproducibles, and student activities—all developed with effective time management in mind. Whether you are just starting or interested in enhancing your mathematics instruction, this book will prove an invaluable resource.
"The powerful principles described can enhance stduents' learning of mathematics inside and outside the classroom and help teachers modify their lessons and teachings. It is a great way to enrich the teaching and learning of mathematics concepts in middle schools as well as reaching low and high achievers in the classroom."
My course is a multi-term secondary methods course. I adopted Laud's book for the second term of the course when my teacher candidate are developing their units for their student teaching. It provides a valuable perspective on assessment that treats assessment as something that is for individual students to support the teaching and learning process while providing tools to make it happen.
