Will I Differentiate?

I have always wanted to be a teacher, I never have wanted to be anything else. I think of all the teachers that I have had in my life, from kindergarten to my senior year of high school, and I remember that they are why I am where I am. Most of them were stubborn enough to help me understand any concept that was put in my way. They were the ones who made that light bulb burst with bright light in my head. They gave me the power to know that I could succeed, when at times I felt like I couldn't. I know I am not the only person who feels this way. Many people that I still talk to today hold Cedar Ridge Elementary School, Deerfield Elementary School, Mountain Ridge Jr. High, and Lone Peak High School close to their hearts. All of us are indebted to our teachers. They made us who we are.
I want to show my students that they can succeed, I want to show them that I care, I want to show them that I will do whatever it takes for them to know that they are worth something, and that they will become something amazing. That is the teacher I want to be. How will I do all of this? I will do this by modeling after many of my past teachers, and differentiate. 

However...

There are many children in Utah, and in the U.S. that are English Language Learners, there are many who have Learning Disabilities, and there are many students who just can't grasp particular concepts at a quick pace. They will have their own struggles. These students will be mixed in with other students who understand concepts quite well, and are higher than other students on the academic scale. How can you challenge your top students and not leave anyone behind? You must adapt your lessons. Teachers who differentiate respond to diverse learning needs of students. This increases the likelihood of students learning key concepts. Design lessons that address the multiple intelligences throughout the room.

~metaphor~ adapted from Rick Wormeli

Children are like athletes, some need baseball bats, some need cleats and balls, some need to lift weights, some need running, and some need catching. Not every child needs the same thing.

How will I give everyone an appropriate challenge? How will I give them appropriate anything?

I will differentiate, but first there are things that I should do, and I suggest you do them too. 

 

1. Assessment, accurate assessments! Learn where my students are.I can see where there are academically in the subject and can help them further succeed in the subject area.

2. Continue Assessments. These don't need to be graded. Let students know there is a place where questions can be asked, or that opportunities for review are there. (Exit slips, class discussions, informal worksheets)

3. Scaffolding, SCAFFOLDING, SCAFFOLDING or a new term, Tier a lesson (Rick Wormeli).

4. Mix and match students into groups if needed.

Do I sound like I want to differentiate? Because I do, I may not be perfect at it yet, but with patience and practice, I will be a differentiated teacher.

How Teachers SHOULD Respond to Students Needs

There are 5 key elements that teachers should know in order to respond to students needs in the differentiated classroom.There are 5 key elements that I myself want to remember. There are 5 key elements that will help me be successful in the classroom, not only that, but successful in a differentiated classroom.

Invitation

I have respect for who you are and who you can become! You are unique and valuable. I believe in you. I have time for you. We need you here.

Opportunity

The things I ask you to do are worthy things. The things I ask you to do open new possibilities for you. 

Investment

I work hard to make this place work for you. I work to make this place reflect you. I love to find new paths to succes. I will do what it takes to ensure your growth. 

 Persistence

You are growing, but you're not finished growing. Let's figure out what works best. There are no excuses here, but there is support. There is no finish line in learning.

Reflection

I watch you and listen to you carefully and systematically. I continually, ask, "How can I make this better?"

Make ties with your students, don't use excuses, push for it!

  Create relationships with your students. 

Make them feel valued!

I would not be training to be in this occupation if my teachers did not make ties to me, if they did not try to be a differentiated teacher.

Mrs. Olsen- 1st grade

Mrs. Carpenter-2nd grade

Miss. Winward-3rd grade

Mrs. Wagaman-4th grade 

Mrs. Bunnel, Miss.King, Mr. Williams, Mrs. Cannon, Mr. Hughes- 5th grade

Mrs. O'Very-6th Grade

Mrs. Kingsford, Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Eddy, Mr. Smith, Mr. Kofed, Miss. Thompson, Mrs. Wynn- Jr. High

Senorita Taylor, Mrs. Dilello, Mrs. Flanagan, Mrs. Felix, Mr. Dunn- High School

They impacted my life in so many ways, I owe so much to them.

They taught me so much.

They taught me in ways where I felt like I mattered. They seemed like they cared. They made me feel wanted. I know I am not the only one.

 

In the words of Carol Ann Tomlinson, "Perhaps those teachers who are successful in forming bonds with students remember the dreams of the novice teacher clearly enough that they inhabit those dreams daily. The way we "do school" often makes it easy to forget why teaching once seemed the best job in the world and makes it easy to lose sight of what we once hoped for." 

And in the words of Rita Pierson: