- It is restricting to value only the type of thinking that is measured on standardized or traditional classroom assessments. Teachers need to broaden their minds to value many types of intellect and thinking.
- I need to remember that a child is more than a test score. I realize there is a lot of emphasis put on test scores because it is not only how students are held accountable, but me as a teacher as well. However, I am failing as a teacher if all I care about is thinking in order to ace a test.
- Many teachers believe that children will not understand and will become upset if they see another student getting accommodations. We believe that children are capable, and often more willing than adults, of understanding that fair is not always equal.
- Explaining this concept that fair is not always equal to students, I believe, is greatly important because with understanding comes more acceptance. I think it still will be difficult to remember this idea, but is a good one to implement into the classroom.
- In other words, [when differentiating to lead to independence], a strategy is only as good as the context and purpose in which it is applied.
- As a teacher I need to remember the purpose in differentiating and scaffolds is to help students become more independent learners, not more reliant on me. I am going to have to use many strategies because there is no magic formula. Each student and classroom is different. One strategy may work amazing one year and then terrible the next. I need to be used to change.
Tyler's Statements:
“Even though a person may belong to a certain group, it does
not mean that he or she is exactly like everyone else in the group.”
1.
It is important for teachers to not stereotype
students. This is harmful for the students and looks bad on the teacher.
“The definition of fairness in
the classroom, however, is not "everyone gets the same." It is
"everyone gets what he or she needs." Because everyone has different
needs.””
2. Every child is different with
their own individual needs. What one student would get a lot of benefit from
another might get little benefit. We need to give each student what they NEED.
“The challenge is that there is not a best strategy. The
absolute best thing you come up with for one student may not be very helpful
for another, even if they had very similar learning needs and styles.”
3. Like said above,
no student is the same so we need to find the best strategy for each individual
student.
Tori's Statements:
- "The idea of a shared place brings together all of the concepts of citizenship."
- I want my classroom to be a shared social place. In the chapter, it talks about the value in a classroom where the students feel valued and feeling as if they can take risks without fear of failure. I think the fear of failure cripples so many students and I want to make sure to eliminate that in my classroom.
- "There is another concept that is important to add to your conceptual framework before you are fully prepared to learn about differentiation of instruction. That is the misunderstood concept of fairness."
- The thought that the definition of "fairness" changes when it comes to a school setting is really hard for me. I realize the importance of the shift of the meaning, but I think that it is going to be something that is a concept I will have to remind myself daily to ensure that all my student's needs are met.
- "Differentiation means knowing each of your students well."
- Although this is a very basic quote, it really is packed with a punch. I find that when I think about differentiation, like this quote, it all boils down to each student and their needs. I am challenged by this quote to ensure I know all of my students very well when I have my own class.
Courtney's Statements:
- ". . . all people are better off when together, otherwise we are all deprived of experiences and opportunities to learn, make new friends, and grow as people ourselves."
- This statement really stands out because it shows that in my classroom I need to strive to include everyone because everyone benefits from being in a classroom together with everyone included.
- "The definition of fairness in the classroom, however, is not 'everyone gets the same.' It is everyone gets what he or she needs."
- This is such a neat statement because it is so important that the children do not just get everything the same but that the child gets what they need in order to be successful in the classroom.
- "Your role is to make sure you are providing supports in a way that scaffolds a student towards independence rather than supporting them in a way that makes them rely on you more and more. If you are doing it right, they will grow to not need you."
- As a teacher I need to help students reach their fullest potential by helping them to not rely on me so much as teaching them to think for themselves and create their own opinions.
Alex's Statements:
“A belief in one’s ability to think simply means to believe
that everyone is capable of thinking-thinking deeply, thinking creatively,
thinking for themselves.” Pg. 129
This is an
attitude that I will have to have for my future students. I want to believe
that they are all able capable of thinking in different ways. If I empower them
to think in new ways than I have taught them one of the most important life
strategies. The next line in the book says you “must broaden the way you think
about thinking.” Therefore, my ability to think must also get deeper. If I
think more then my students will in turn think more.
“The definition of fairness in the classroom, however, is
not everyone gets the same. It is, everyone gets what he or she needs.” Pg. 133
This is
such a good point because fairness is not giving everyone the same thing. That
concept does not align with differentiated learning at all. If I gave every student the same thing, then
I would not be meeting the individual needs of the student. Fair and equal are
not the same thing.
“ The purpose of differentiating for each student is to
ensure that students are each being challenged with work that is challenging
but not too difficult, and to help each student become an independent learner.”
Pg. 134
I really
liked this statement because it goes along with the point that I made earlier.
Having differentiated instruction helps to challenge each student to the point
where his or her learning is benefited. Differentiation gives each student a
unique challenge. In order to have differentiated instruction, you need to
really know your students. You cannot help your students specifically if you do
not know what they need specifically.
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