Alicia M. Duncan

"One of the very few professional resources that I could not put down. I recommend this book to every teacher I work with, and I use it every day in my work with teachers and students."—Diane Fleming, Advanced Placement CoordinatorSioux City Community Schools, IA"This is differentiation at its best! This valuable resource provides the tools necessary to meet the wide range of student needs and abilities within a classroom. It will be a timeless resource that all educators will want on their desk."—Jeannie Donoghue, Professional Development DirectorBureau of Education and ResearchInspire a love for learning through differentiated lessons and activities!Today's classrooms are more diverse than ever before, with students of many languages, cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and skills all in one room. This accessible resource illustrates how elementary teachers can use differentiated instructional techniques to nurture a love for learning in socially, culturally, and academically diverse learners. Inspiring Elementary Learners offers step-by-step instructions for creating a learning environment that engages all students, and provides creative strategies that can be easily implemented in the classroom. The authors include lesson examples and assessment rubrics across the core subject areas, showing how to cultivate a community of learners who honor themselves and each other. Based on current educational research on metacognitive strategies, learning styles, constructivist thinking, and choice theory, this handbook helps educators:Design lessons to foster students' intrinsic motivationTeach for deep understanding while meeting content standards Create and implement differentiated strategiesThis practical guide provides teachers with the tools they need to reach, teach, and inspire diverse student populations and cultivate an engaging classroom environment.

"Excellent book! A must-read for teachers and administrators who are truly interested in quality teaching and student success."—Paul Gmelin, PrincipalWhite Lake Middle School, MI"As an administrator, this book provides me with meaningful direction for my staff. Implementing practices from this book will empower both students and teachers alike."—Sammie Novack, Vice-PrincipalWashington Middle School, Bakersfield, CA"A wealth of advice and activities for secondary teachers who wish to transform the adolescent's need for independence into empowerment, motivation, and inspired learning."—Belinda Lazarus, Professor of EducationUniversity of Michigan, Dearborn"Succinctly proposes an approach designed to generate in students the internal desire to learn! Promises to be a significant resource for teachers who truly wish to leave a legacy."—Sallie M. Noel, Associate Professor of BiologyAustin Peay State University"Enables teachers to reach students where they are while helping them to strive for more."—Angela D. Steffke, Secondary Resource TeacherJohn F. Kennedy High School, Taylor, MIFoster a community of students inspired to discover their unique ability to learn!One of the most effective methods for engaging students is to relate subject matter to learners' interests and experiences. The challenge many secondary teachers face is how to accomplish this goal across an increasingly diverse student body. In this field-tested resource, Kathleen Kryza, S. Joy Stephens, and Alicia Duncan guide educators toward achieving this objective by presenting differentiated lessons that simultaneously engage and inspire students.Inspiring Middle and Secondary Learners gives readers a step-by-step process for gathering the student data necessary to inform their instructional approach. Offering easy-to-implement strategies for differentiated lessons, this research-based book also provides in-depth model lessons and rubrics in content areas to inspire learning. The end result is engaging and meaningful instruction that stirs students to construct their own approach to learning by applying their experiences to relevant subject matter. Readers will also benefit from:Case studies and student work samplesLesson frameworks and planning guides to help teachers develop standards-based differentiated lessons and unitsTips, tools, and reproducible materials for assessing student learning styles and preferencesSample lessons, activities, and moreDiscover how to inspire students by building a community of learners who honor themselves and each other.

"Excellent book! A must-read for teachers and administrators who are truly interested in quality teaching and student success."—Paul Gmelin, PrincipalWhite Lake Middle School, MI"As an administrator, this book provides me with meaningful direction for my staff. Implementing practices from this book will empower both students and teachers alike."—Sammie Novack, Vice-PrincipalWashington Middle School, Bakersfield, CA"A wealth of advice and activities for secondary teachers who wish to transform the adolescent's need for independence into empowerment, motivation, and inspired learning."—Belinda Lazarus, Professor of EducationUniversity of Michigan, Dearborn"Succinctly proposes an approach designed to generate in students the internal desire to learn! Promises to be a significant resource for teachers who truly wish to leave a legacy."—Sallie M. Noel, Associate Professor of BiologyAustin Peay State University"Enables teachers to reach students where they are while helping them to strive for more."—Angela D. Steffke, Secondary Resource TeacherJohn F. Kennedy High School, Taylor, MIFoster a community of students inspired to discover their unique ability to learn!One of the most effective methods for engaging students is to relate subject matter to learners' interests and experiences. The challenge many secondary teachers face is how to accomplish this goal across an increasingly diverse student body. In this field-tested resource, Kathleen Kryza, S. Joy Stephens, and Alicia Duncan guide educators toward achieving this objective by presenting differentiated lessons that simultaneously engage and inspire students.Inspiring Middle and Secondary Learners gives readers a step-by-step process for gathering the student data necessary to inform their instructional approach. Offering easy-to-implement strategies for differentiated lessons, this research-based book also provides in-depth model lessons and rubrics in content areas to inspire learning. The end result is engaging and meaningful instruction that stirs students to construct their own approach to learning by applying their experiences to relevant subject matter. Readers will also benefit from:Case studies and student work samplesLesson frameworks and planning guides to help teachers develop standards-based differentiated lessons and unitsTips, tools, and reproducible materials for assessing student learning styles and preferencesSample lessons, activities, and moreDiscover how to inspire students by building a community of learners who honor themselves and each other.