Chapter 1

Differentiation- when I initially heard of this word I was thinking that it was going to be something about math and how we can put it in the classroom. I really didn’t think much of it until I we watched the show about Oprah opening the door for girls to go to school and gain an education. It was there that I realized that this was the class that I have wanted to take in a long time. It has already helped me understand or rather have some ideas as far as dealing with different student and their personal needs. Then I was able to read about the ideas behind it and to come to the conclusion that I need to gain all the tools necessary to adequately use them in my classroom; to really become an example of uniting a class and others.

The highlights that I enjoyed reading about were first, that I am the leader to teach to my students’ needs and that this does not have to be done in only one way but multiple ways. This stumped me, however, because I don’t know how to first come up with all the many ways to teach, second how to organize what I am doing for who and lastly if it is being helpful or not. Anyway, the second highlight I liked is that the possibilities are endless of helping students grow and learn. Love this because it is the reason as to why I want to be a teacher. We all want to make a difference and to help individuals to become who they want to be. I am looking forward to learning more about the hows so that I will be as prepared as possible in accomplishing a classroom of learning.




Chapter 1 and 2

Reading through these chapters helped me to understand differentiation as a complete whole and what it has to do with my future classroom. First off, it talked about common sense and how it plays a huge role in the classroom and adapting the classroom to meet individual needs. Sometimes, however, I feel that I don't have to greatest common sense in the world. I become so focused on the what that I forget the means of achieving the what. This prevents me from seeing other ways to help the students. So, that has become a new goal for me for this semester- having common sense. Secondly, was the statement I found in chapter 1, "What we bring to school as learners matters in how we learn." This got me to think a lot about the students and what they are bringing to the classroom. I need to meet them at their personal levels and then bring them up to where they can achieve their personal greatness.

1 comment:

Teacherheart said...

I have no doubt that when you are really there WITH the students... when they become "yours" because you have "tamed" each other, your common sense and responsive teaching will be very apparent. 4 points