Differentiation reading for 12-02-08

I love these activities for fast finishers. They are not busy work like fast finishers tend to be. The writing bingo gives a real meaning to what students are writing. It lets creativity and personality show. There is also tons of room to grow from it. I like the plan to guarantee success too. It starts out positive and shows students that they will produce something successful.

Field

I was a little nervous to go into field this time. I am happy to say that everything turned out great and I loved all the experiences I had. I can not wait to go back and learn more from these children. One thing I will say is that there is no time in the day for anything! I hope that I will be able to cover all that is required of me. The school I am teaching in really needs differentiation and I am excited to see how the year turns out for my class.

Differentiation Reading for 9-28-08

If I had to choose two unit plans I would pick 5, It’s all a Matter of Chance, and 2, What Plants Need. I do think that all of them have very valuable information and good strategies for teaching and assessing. Each lesson was very detailed on the KUD’s. Each one explained in detail what the students would know, understand, and do by the end of the lesson. I really like the teacher commentary throughout the lessons. I REALLY liked that there were *stars* when accommodating different learners. That got me to think and see how I can accommodate my students.

Differentiation reading for 10-21-08

I like the evaluation checklist for when you work with peers. It is important for students to know how much they are participating and working on their skills and strategies. I also like the multiple entry journals especially for math. It helps them work on problem solving skills and writing skills. I like the visual aspect of writing out each strategy too.

Differentiation Reading 10-14-08

Tiering is much like setting a radio to the right frequency or station. Each knob needs to be adjusted to just the right spot for it to be affective. Where you set the radio depends much upon a student’s readiness. A tiered lesson should begin with what students know, understand, and perform a result of the activity or product assessment. If it were me tiering a lesson, I would be sure to incorporate different learning styles and directions for diverse learners.
Think-Tac-Toe
I would say that these lessons are tiered. I like the suggestions of students setting goals and due dates on and individual basis. This accommodates the students’ time and schedules. They go through what students should know, understand, and be able to do as different tiers in the lesson.
Tierable, not tierable?
It would be possible to tier these lessons. I think any lesson can be tiered (if I understand tiering correctly). You can adjust what you need to for where the student is now, and where you want them to be. Tiering will allow each child to improve a level higher than they are when they first enter your classroom. They will not all be on the same level at the beginning or end, but they can achieve a personal higher level through tiered teaching.

Differentiation reading for 10-7-08

You can teach or you can TEACH. Invest in students; do not just teach what you are supposed to. My goal is to be a teacher that says, “I will learn about you and do what it takes, using subject matter, to make sure you are a fuller and more potent human being than you were when you first walked in this room. Please be my college in this quest.” That is how I can be a differentiated teacher and TEACH my students. I cannot assume that if I deliver the information that they will get it. I need to know what helps them to understand, be motivated, and have a desire to learn. That is not just teaching what is in your curriculum. It is still our job to follow curriculum. We need to make sure that what we choose to do with our curriculum helps students understanding, skill development, growth, and discipline. Every learner should be exposed to rich, justifiable curriculum.

We are leading students toward success now, and in their futures. We need to work towards goals of becoming successful. A tiered approach will help students to become successful. You are able to blend assessment with your instruction when tiering. I like this because I am going to have students who have anxiety with testing. This makes it less intimidating to test. Tiered learning lessons and tasks engage students beyond what is easy or comfortable in order to provide authentic challenges and encourages future learning. This will help students to step outside the box and go above and beyond with learning.

Differentiation Reading 9-30-08

Teachers are taught to see possibilities over impossibilities. There are things we cannot change, but focus on what we can change. For example, I think that teachers are underpaid. I cannot change that. There are things that I can change that are rewarding in different ways other than a paycheck. I can change the learning environment in my classroom.

The five elements or ways for teachers to respond to students needs in a classroom make up affective teaching. They are invitation, opportunity, investment, persistence, and reflection. It is important for students to feel welcome and needed in a classroom just like it is for anyone else to feel welcome. I remember a time I was uncomfortable and unwelcome at a previous place of employment, and I could not wait to get out of there every day. A student will feel that same way in a classroom. After students feel welcomed to the classroom, they need the opportunity to learn that will help them achieve higher levels, and be all they can be. Teachers and students need to invest in learning. Frustration can be difficult for children when things do not go smoothly. I always felt good about myself and wanted to achieve higher levels when I was able to work through things and see my self excel. Teachers must always support children thought struggles and let them know that there are endless ways to learn. Last, we would be cheating our students and ourselves if we did not take the time to reflect upon what we have accomplished. This is where we can see what strengths we have and what we need to still work on. I like that they are displayed on a wheel in our text. They all turn and are in place at different sides of the wheel, but yet always there. Each one is important, and the wheel would not be complete with one missing. That is how learning is. You cannot achieve your best if the teacher does not provide the ways for you to do so.

I always remember admiring the displays my teachers would put up in my classrooms. They were friendly and inviting and made me want to be there. As a class, we contributed to them with the work we completed. This was the setting to a working and comfortable environment for me and my classmates. This added an affective climate to the students. Set an appropriate environment for your students and work towards getting to know them. Everyone will be able to become part of the community.

Differentiation reading for 9-23-08

Blackboard
The linguistic intelligence survey is a very non-intimidating way to gain information on how a child feels about different subject areas. Many students will feel stronger and more comfortable in different areas. Thus, they enjoy certain subjects more than they enjoy other subjects. This inventory is a good way for a teacher to gain the knowledge of how students feel in all the content areas. This also helps a teacher to know how he/she should plan lessons to meet the intelligences and interests that are best for the students. I like that they are simple questions that children can understand and relate to from things they have already experienced. (i.e. how they feel about singing happy birthday or playing outside.)

Fulfilling the Promise
I am intimidated by getting into a classroom and being responsible for 25+ children all day. I want them to feel comfortable and have fun learning in my class. So how do I get to know these kids so that I can teach for them? There are many ways to teach for students. For starters, you need to learn about them and find out what they like and what helps them learn. This About You Survey is a good starting place to learn about students’ backgrounds and interests so that a teacher can plan the lessons for the children specifically. I also think that since the curriculum is the same, but the students are not, that you could re-use lessons and revamp them each year according to your students. These surveys and other activities can let the children talk about themselves, and you get to know them. I would have the students present to the class what they have on their surveys.

For me
I hope that I have the chance to use these in my student teaching classroom so that I can get to know the students. I will be going into the class in the middle of the year and these children are already going to know each other. Using these inventories, I can see what the interests of the students are and make accommodations on my lessons for these children. They cover all areas of learning and interests in learning, and I am looking forward to using them for my benefit.

Differentiation Reading for 9-16-08

Chapters 1 & 2 Fulfilling the Promise

I think that the four student traits are very important areas for a teacher to focus on. (Readiness, interest, learning profile, and affect.) I like that readiness varies for each student. It puts their learning and the preparation on more of a personal level for the student. It also focuses more on topics and does not interfere with students’ readiness. Students can work on different levels, and learning will still take place.
Many teachers will teach according to student interests. That's a good way to engage students. The text points out that we should teach in the undiscovered interests of our students. Taking the time to help students learn and discover new interests is a great way to get to know them, and modify teaching for them.

Students are in a classroom for a long time. They have needs that need to be addressed in not only their learning, but also their self-esteem and self-efficacy, and personal well-being. Students need to know that they are safe, loved, that they make a difference, and are a part of the classroom. I know that I appreciate it when others around me know when I am gone, or that I know I am a part of the classroom discussions. Children are much the same. They need to be recognized for who they are. Something as simple as “we missed you yesterday” or a good job on something they have achieved in your classroom will help them to know that they are valued to you and valued in this classroom.

Differentiation reading for 9-9-08

I like Mrs. Johnson’s class of third graders. They are all so different in many ways from hobbies, language, background, and looks. The teacher is still able to follow the curriculum and meet the needs of all the students in her class. She finds time to incorporate her students’ interest into her curriculum. I like differentiated instruction for a class like Mrs. Johnson’s. Each child will have an opportunity to learn in a style that is good for them.The baseball camp is much like a classroom because you have different ranges in age, interests, talent, etc. Much like a classroom, they are responsible for there work and their “equipment”. We can’t control what strengths and weaknesses the children are going to bring with them, but we can empower them to make the best of what they have.In a classroom, your students need to develop cooperation, self control, and responsibility. A morning meeting group will help them to develop and master these skills. The group time allows for them to talk about exciting events, share something they are proud of, and sets a stimulating learning and listening environment for the rest of the day. Students are able to prepare their brains and bodies for the day, and transition into the days lessons. Most importantly, students have fun during a morning meeting.