When a teacher understands and applies the skill of differentiation they embrace the idea that every student will be taught from and in the same lesson. This does not mean that the we require every student to complete the tasks with the same level of understanding, quality, or standard but rather we asses the students according to their skills and abilities.
We must respect the students, listen to them, help them with their issues or problems, share in their lives, and empathize with and towards them. Our students come to class believing they will learn and that we care enough about them to teach them what is vital for their success in not only the school year but their life.
Teachers that care and demonstrate their love for their students provide tools for success that foster a warm and supportive classroom enticing them into learning and wonder. This takes time and energy and must be motivated by the desire to help each student to succeed. Teaching and learning both have the same level of difficulty. We are faced with the same challenges the students are. The difference is that we are on one side of the glass window and they are on the other side. When we open the window and share what we know both parties grow closer together a share in the success that is learning.
Not every student will allow us to reach the point of mutual growth. Some will resist the desire to learn but that doesn't mean we give up. It is our burden to carry. We must continue to try! Some of the most rewarding experiences that will be had while we teach is when we reach that one student that has been resistant in the past to others assistance.
We can reach every student its just a matter of how. Differentiation is the way!
This is one post that I would love to discuss with you face to face. I might be misinterpreting what your first paragraph says, but if I'm not, I'm hoping to add to your understanding: what you explained, "every student will be taught from and in the same lesson. This does not mean that the we require every student to complete the tasks with the same level of understanding, quality, or standard but rather we asses the students according to their skills and abilities" -- I believe you are talking about differentiating your ASSESSMENT... which can get complicated... but is do-able. What I'd like you to think about is that differentiation is MORE in the teaching and the curriculum you offer... so that AS students learn, they are getting the benefit of approrpiate scaffolding for where they are, and appropriate choices to keep them engaged, etc. Can you see a difference here, from what you wrote? Let me know... or maybe you can help clarify my understanding of what you said. 5 pts.
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