Blog Post #5

1. Schools are like airport hubs; student passengers arrive from many different backgrounds for widely divergent destinations.  Their particular takeoffs into adulthood will demand different flight plans (Levine, 2002, p. 336). p. 1

I love this statement. I think it is so important to understand the differences that each student brings to the classroom and that they are all at different levels. It is our job as teachers to be aware and find ways to create "flight plans" for each of our students. Thanks Cole for this thought.

I also read Tanja's blog and she taught me the importance of taking a risks and teach our students to take risks. She told the story of the teacher in Anne of Green Gables that encourages Anne's interests. We can take and intrest in our students and encourage them to take risks. We as teachers should take risks as well. 

Blog Post #4

Part A
I think that it is important but hard to determine what to teach and what not to teach. I think that understanding differentiation can help a teacher be successful in determining what is important and what is not important. If you know your students and their needs you can better decide what they need to learn. Differentiation allows you to have lessons that connect to the lives of your students. When we know what to teach and are allowed to go deeper and explore the concept more students understand the curriculum and can make connections. We must find the essential questions to ask and build our lessons around. We want our students to achieve we need to spend time working on them and their high order thinking. I was not aware of all these reasons and I don't disagree with any but I don't think I fully understand the "frames" reason. How is it any different than finding the essential questions. I think that it means that we must find the bones of the curriculum and work our way out. This reading has taught me that teaching with differentiation is like building house once you have a strong foundation the rest will find its place in your teaching. It is hard work but it is important and doable.

Part B
Below is a list of 4 key ingredients I think you need to be a "fox-taming" teacher.

1. Clear expectations (pg. 69) are important to becoming a "fox-taming" teacher. A teacher like this will set up the expectations for each student and help them to succeed. It is important for teachers to connect with students while still maintaining a high level for the students to reach to.
2. A "fox-taming" needs to "provide choices that ensure focus" (pg. 72). It is important that we create respectful choices that lead our students to learn. We need to give them choices that allow them to explore and challenge all learners.
3. "Aim high" (pg. 81) Teachers who have the ability to be "fox-taming" will ask the students to reach beyond themselves and a teacher is their to scaffolding their learning. It is important to show them that they can achieve above what even they think they can.
4. "Promote language proficiency" (pg. 85) is the most important one for me because I will be working with students who are ELL's. It is important to help them be proficient and grow. They need to know that I think they can reach above themselves and gain the new language while still learning answers to the essential questions. 

Post #3

From Chapter 1

“It occurs as teachers become increasingly proficient in understanding their students as individuals, increasingly comfortable with the meaning and structure of the disciplines they teach, and increasingly expert at teaching flexibility in order to match instruction to student need with the goal of maximizing the potential of each learner in a give area.” (p. 3, FPDC) I am inspired by this quote because it is something I can achieve through a differentiated classroom. I want to be a teacher that understands that my students are individuals. I want to be flexible. I want my students to each learn and grow in their own way in my classroom. I want to be a teacher that empowers all of my students.

“Each day is a revelation.” (p. 9, FPDC) I think this is the key to success as a teacher. I know that I can learn something new everyday. I can change my teaching everyday and everyday should look different from the day before. I can continually learn and progress as a teacher.

From Chapter 2

“Each learner need to come to see that he of she is a nonnegotiable part of the classroom system with independent parts. The system needs that part—that student—to function effectively and vigorously.” (p. 17, FPDC) I love, love, love how this quote says that each student is a nonnegotiable part of the classroom. I think this is the purpose of differentiation. It is to empower children and help them understand how important they are to their own learning and the education of their classmates. Each student brings a unique view and can help create a powerful classroom. I want each student to know they are valued and important in my classroom.

“Challenge in the classroom gives root and wings to young dreams. It prepares learners with the substance, habits, and confidence necessary to move toward their dream.” (p. 19, FPDC) I want my class to have be challenging and to stretch the minds of each student. I want to know my class well enough that I can challenge each student in a different way. I need to remember to challenge all and to use the skills of differentiation to create challenges for each student to face.

From Chapter 3

“’I want to be a leader in creating a place where each of you becomes more keenly aware of the possibilities in yourself, the people around you, and the power of knowledge. In this place, I want to find together a good way to live.’” (p 26, FPDC) I want to have a classroom where I am learning form the students and they are learning from me. I want to be the leader as we together explore new ideas and thoughts. I want each student to know that they can achieve greatness and I want my students to trust each other and me. 

Blog Post #2

1. Differentiation is about community and collaboration in the classroom
2. Differentiation is about understanding the uniqueness of each student in your classroom
3. Differentiation is not just about giving options it is about finding options that truly help students learn
4. Differentiation is like a spice rack, it helps bring flavor to students learning and increases excitement over creative combinations
5. Differentiation does not have to be elaborate, a small adjustment to a lesson can help students achieve more
6. Differentiation is an action word. You can not achieve it if you are not willing to be flexible and understand that each day is a new day and fresh opportunity to connect with each of your students.

Blog Post #1

I have had the privileged of being in a classroom that used morning meetings. While completing my first field experience I was in a 6th grade classroom that had morning meetings every morning. The class was well behaved and there was a sense of community. They community helped them to form friendships and allowed them to feel safe in their classroom. They worked well in groups and they helped each other succeed. It was an inspiring sight. Ever since that experience I have wanted to use morning meetings in my classroom. I think they are powerful and can help a classroom. I have seen them in action and I love the atmosphere of the classroom I was in. Community and comradey is so important in a classroom. Students need to feel safe to explore and make mistakes. Morning meetings can help build trust between students. I want my classroom to be a safe place for my students. I want them to trust each other and to learn from each other. I want my class to want to help each other and create friendships. As a teacher having a good classroom community is key to my success. Community helps build trust not only between the students but also between the students and me. I am excited to learn more about morning meetings. I am also excited to use morning meetings in my own classroom.