Differentiating and the Brain: Ch. 8 Managing a Differentiated Classroom

Chapter 8 of Differentiation and the Brain delves into the difference between leadership and management and how leadership is what teachers should really be striving to achieve in their classroom routines. Additionally, the authors share some ways to use leadership to differentiate and meet students' needs. Click through to read the whole summary of this chapter.

This summer, the Tools for Teaching Teens group has been conducting a study of an incredibly useful book, Differentiating and the Brain by David A. Sousa and Carol Ann Tomlinson. I have learned so much from this book that I plan to implement in my classroom in the upcoming year. If you are just joining us, be sure to check out the other chapter summaries and reflections:

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Nonnegotiables of Effective Differentiation
Chapter 2: Mindset, Learning Environment, and Effective Differentiation
Chapter 3: Curriculum and Differentiation
Chapter 4: Classroom Assessment and Differentiation
Chapter 5: Differentiating in Response to Student Readiness
Chapter 6: Differentiating in Response to Student Interest
Chapter 7: Differentiating in Response to Student Learning Profile

This last chapter is full of ideas for managing a differentiated classroom. As I read, I found myself imagining the many ways I will transform my classroom this year.

Chapter 8 distinguishes between leadership and management. Essentially, managers manipulate, while leaders build relationships. A differentiated classroom must be led through flexibility, not rigidity. Of course, management is a factor in leadership, but not the factor.

The first sign of a dysfunctional classroom is combativeness. There is a “me against them” attitude on the teacher’s part, and the students’ respond in kind.

This type of dysfunction doesn’t occur when the teacher is a genuine leader.

Tomlinson and Sousa offer strategies for becoming an effective leader. But before we delve into the strategies, let’s look at the principles at the foundation of leadership:

Chapter 8 of Differentiation and the Brain delves into the difference between leadership and management and how leadership is what teachers should really be striving to achieve in their classroom routines. Additionally, the authors share some ways to use leadership to differentiate and meet students' needs. Click through to read the whole summary of this chapter.
The key to becoming an effective leader is to build relationships with your students. Tomlinson and Sousa recommend doing this by
1. Learning their names right away
2. Sharing stories (yours and theirs) briefly every day
3. Acknowledging birthdays
4. Using humor (though not sarcasm).
 
Making the classroom belong to everyone is also imperative. Teachers should make students aware of class goals. Students should understand why the class is differentiated so that they will feel ownership in the classroom. They recommend a series of activities to illustrate the need for differentiation. One of my favorites is “Paper People.”
Chapter 8 of Differentiation and the Brain delves into the difference between leadership and management and how leadership is what teachers should really be striving to achieve in their classroom routines. Additionally, the authors share some ways to use leadership to differentiate and meet students' needs. Click through to read the whole summary of this chapter.
Chapter 8 of Differentiation and the Brain delves into the difference between leadership and management and how leadership is what teachers should really be striving to achieve in their classroom routines. Additionally, the authors share some ways to use leadership to differentiate and meet students' needs. Click through to read the whole summary of this chapter.Students color the person according to their preferences, and then display them to try to find one exactly like theirs–that doesn’t usually happen. You can download and print this handout by clicking HERE.

Also, lead students in finding a shared classroom vision through team-building.
1. Students should understand why the classroom matters.
2. Students should understand why each person is important.
3. Students should feel pride in being a part of the classroom.
There are a ton of team-building ideas HERE.

While leadership is primary, management is secondary. Here are Tomlinson and Sousa’s ideas for managing a differentiated classroom:

Chapter 8 of Differentiation and the Brain delves into the difference between leadership and management and how leadership is what teachers should really be striving to achieve in their classroom routines. Additionally, the authors share some ways to use leadership to differentiate and meet students' needs. Click through to read the whole summary of this chapter.

The take away from chapter 8? Leadership is the key to managing a differentiated classroom effectively. Leadership emerges from building relationships. Care about your students. Care about their learning. Have a quality curriculum. All will be well.

What do you think? Do you have a differentiated classroom? Did you find this book as helpful as we did? Leave a comment below to let me know!

 

 

 

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