Differentiation on the mind.

You don't even have to spend your time reading this post for it is just a release of my differentiation thoughts. I feel as if my head will explode if I don't get them out. I tried to tell my husband, but he did not understand my thoughts (men!).
In our math course, Dr. Tuft read a children's book about a boy who saw math "problems" everywhere after his teacher mentioned they were everywhere. That is how I feel! Differentiation is everywhere I look now and I am noticing it at every turn.
So, after leaving class today a little discouraged as to where I felt I was with being able to teach differentiation, I have now had an "ah ha" moment. Differentiation is a part of every ones everyday life. We do it without noticing. So now I feel a bit better about being a teacher who differentiates and would like to move myself from one corner of the room to another.
Is differentiation something that someone can fail at?
The question has been on my mind and I have come to a conclusion. No. I think differentiation= a case of trial and improve. It is something that is natural in nature, yet needs to be thought about for best results.
Now I can move on with my thoughts.

Week 3 Response

1. After reading through the inventories, my first thought with the Student Interest Survey was why in the middle of learning questions did they add "What's your favorite..." I thought for sure I would take that out to change the inventory. Then I began to think deeper about why they included this question and decided that maybe it could be a great teaching tool to know that information about each of your students. For example, a student is having a hard time understanding a concept. After referring back to their sheet, you see that the student likes a specific sport. You then relate the concept to the sport that they like. The concept then clicks for the student. Learning achieved! So, I would leave that question in the survey. I really thought the Student Profile Survey and the rest of the questions on the Student Interest Survey were throughly thought out. I would use the information on these inventories in SO many ways to differentiate teaching. These inventories ALONG WITH GETTING TO REALLY KNOW MY STUDENTS will allow me to adjust my style of teaching to fit every student's needs. I know that this is no easy task, but the effort will be so worth it.

2. While first looking through all of the inventories my mind was racing thinking that there is so much that I need to know about every student, for every subject, for every day so that I can make sure that no one falls behind. Then, I took a breather. Deciding what inventories I will use to assess knowledge, get to know students, etc. is differentiation in and of itself. So, my main connection between these inventories and all the things we're learning is this: Every student is different in every area. Everything I teach could use a little differentiating if I really want to meet the needs of all of my students. Differentiation is an ongoing process that will never see an end.

Week 2 Response

1) Differentiation. A word that I had little clue about until I started reading the text. My understanding thus far is minimal, but minimal is something. Differentiation in the classroom means flexibility between teachers and students. It means adaptation. It means understanding. It means realizing there is difference in all things and in all people.

2a) Model differentiation teacher; God. We are his students and he differentiations this test for all of us.

Response #1- Me

1. Favorite book for kids: any books that leave room for a child's imagination to wander

2. Favorite shows: As of 2 days ago I do not have a TV. So, I have resorted to watching the bachelor on the internet. When I had TV I loved to watch any law shows (my secret passion), mtv reality shows (trashy obsession), Oprah, 60 minutes and The Office. Oh how I miss my cable/dvr now.

3. Is it ok to justify all of my clothes as a "collection"?

4. I do have another blog (tneyandhyrum.blogspot.com). It seems that all I write about now is my baby.

5.--1. book club (I LOVE to read) 2. tutoring 3. world peace

6. I have never taken or attended an art class outside of school. My artistic talent remains undiscovered.

7. Not a musical gene in my body, or that of any member in my family.

8. I loved and attended dance classes until I was about ten years old.

9. I took a drama class my eighth grade year. Our end of the semester project was to memorize and perform a children's book. Alone. In front of the whole class. I was too shy to do it and received my first and only "C".

10. I am a new mom of a four month old, big eyed girl named Zoey. I took one semester off, and am dreading being back in school. But, I know that I need to finish now or I never will. I love chemistry and am debating whether I should have gone to school for something in that field.