Nationally recognized math differentiation expert Nanci Smith debunks the myths surrounding differentiated instruction, revealing a practical approach to real learning differences. Theory-lite and practice-heavy, this book provides a concrete and manageable framework for helping all students know, understand, and even enjoy doing mathematics. Busy secondary mathematics educators learn to: Provide practical structures for assessing how students learn and process mathematical concepts information; Design, implement, manage, and formatively assess and respond to learning in a standards-aligned differentiated classroom; Adjust current materials to better meet students' needs. Includes classroom videos and a companion website.

Preface -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author -- CHAPTER 1. START UP: Why Knowing and Addressing Students’ Learning Differences Is Critical: Introduction -- What Differentiation Is and Is Not -- A Glance at a Differentiated Classroom -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 2. FIND OUT: Strategies for Determining Who Each of Your Students Is as a Mathematics Learner -- Who Our Learners Are -- Strategies to Determine Readiness -- Strategies to Determine Interest -- Strategies to Determine Learning Profile -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 3. TEACH UP: Making Sense of Rigorous Mathematical Content -- Mathematics Makes Sense -- Themes and Big Ideas in Mathematics -- Teaching Up -- What Learning Mathematics With Understanding Looks Like -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 4. STEP UP: How to Make Proactive Planning Decisions That Deepen Thinking: Decisions, Decisions -- Differentiation and KUDs -- Strategies for Differentiation -- Classroom Structures -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 5. SET IT UP: Establishing the Right Tone to Make Differentiation Doable: A Healthy Learning Environment -- Embracing Fair -- Everybody Learns -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 6. POWER ON: Mastering and Modeling Daily Routines for Achievement All Year: Classroom Routines -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 7. STEP BACK: Tools for Assessing and Evaluating in a Differentiated Classroom: Assessment For, Of, and As Learning -- Principles to Develop Assessments -- Designing Effective Assessments -- Conclusion -- Frequently Asked Questions -- Keepsakes and Plans -- CHAPTER 8. CLOSE UP: A Week in the Life of a Differentiated Mathematics Classroom -- A Look Into a Week in a Middle School Classroom -- A Look Into a Week in a High School Classroom -- Advice From the Field -- Conclusion -- Appendix A: Further Reading on the Topic of English Language Learners -- Appendix B: Further Reading on the Topic of Special Education -- Appendix C: Further Reading on the Topic of Rich Problems and Mathematical Discourse -- References -- Index.