This volume is the first in a series (developed in response to a needs assessment survey of special educators in Alberta, Canada) providing practical suggestions about instructional strategies, classroom management, preparing individual program plans, and understanding special needs. Book 1 highlights strategies for differentiating instruction within the regular classroom for students experiencing learning or behavioral difficulties or who are gifted and talented. It includes ideas for varying instructional time, the learning environment, resources, materials, presentation, assignments, and assessments to accommodate students with diverse needs. It contains instructional strategies for core subjects (language arts and mathematics) as well as for specific categories of differences. Many forms to assist teacher planning are provided in the extensive appendices, as are instructional guides, inventories, and examples of modifications. (Contains 82 references.) (DB)