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Total School Cluster Grouping & Differentiation:

A Comprehensive, Research-based Plan for
Student Achievement & Improving Teacher Practices

A New Book by Marcia Gentry and Rebecca Mann

Gentry & Mann: Total School Cluster Grouping & Differentiation

Marcia Gentry and Rebecca Mann have released an excellent resource, this research-based book is comprehensive, well organized and very readable.

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ISBN 978-1-931280-09-9, $26.95 from Creative Learning Press.

 

 

Marcia Gentry

Marcia Gentry is an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology & Research Methodology in the Department of Educational Studies, and Director of the Gifted Education Resource Institute, both at Perdue University. Her research interests include student attitudes toward school on constructs including Appeal, Challenge, Choice, Interest, Enjoyment, Meaningfulness, and Self-Efficacy, and the connection of these attitiudes toward learning and motivation; the use of gifted education pedagogy as a means of improving learning and teaching; the use of cluster-grouping and differentiation to meet the needs of gifted and talented students while helping all students achieve at high levels; the use of non-traditional settings for talent development such as Career and Technical Education; the development and recognition of talent among underserved populations including students with diverse cultural backgrounds and children who live in poverty; effects of test-driven school climates on student learning and teacher practices; limitations to currently practiced methods of identifying gifted children.

Rebecca Mann

Rebecca Mann is Assistant Professor of Educational Studies at Perdue University. Her research interests include characteristics, identification, and appropriate instructional strategies for students with high spatial ability; mathematical persceptions of preservice elementary teachers; longitudinal study of former Gifted Education Resource Instititute summer residential program participants.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

Foreword

Introduction

PART I

  1. CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS CLUSTER GROUPING?
    • An Introduction to Total School Cluster Grouping
    • Theoretical Underpinnings
    • Grouping Terminology Definitions
    • Ability Grouping Considerations
    • What the Research Says About Cluster Grouping
    • Total School Cluster Grouping
  2. CHAPTER 2: TOTAL SCHOOL CLUSTER GROUPING MODEL: IMPLEMENTATION & PRACTICE
    • Identification
    • Developing Class Lists
    • Teacher Selection and Appointment
    • Implementation Considerations
    • Reaching Out to Parents
  3. CHAPTER 3: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CLASSROOM PRACTICES
    • Classroom Practices
    • The Use of Grouping
    • The Role of the Teacher
    • Specific Suggestions for Staff Development
  4. CHAPTER 4: COMPLEMENTING OTHER SERVICES & PROGRAMS
    • The Continuum of Elementary Gifted Education and Enrichment Services
      • Pull-out, Push-in, and Send-out Programs
      • Self-contained Classrooms and Magnet Schools
      • Departmentalization in the Upper Elementary Grades
      • Multi-age Programs
      • The Enrichment Triad Model and The Purdue Three Stage Model

PART II

  1. CHAPTER 5: WHAT IS DIFFERENTIATION?
    • Appeal, Challenge, Choice, Meaningfulness, Self-efficacy
    • The Differentiated Classroom: Getting Started
    • Know Your Educational Goals
    • Know Your Students
  2. CHAPTER 6: SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIATION STRATEGIES
    • Curriculum Compacting
    • Tiered Activities
    • Anchored Activities
  1. CHAPTER 7. INQUIRY-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
    • Questioning
    • Open-ended Activities
    • Problem-based Learning
    • Independent Study and Small Group Investigation
    • Ensuring Challenge
    • Summary
  2. CHAPTER 8. STUDENT-FOCUSED DIFFERENTIATION
    • Menu of Student-focused Strategies
  3. REFERENCES
  4. Appendixes:
    • APPENDIX A. INSTRUMENTS, FORMS & CHECKLISTS
    • APPENDIX B. HIGH-QUALITY DIFFERENTIATION RESOURCES
  5. About the Authors