Differentiation Reading #5 - Chapter 5 & 6

This chapter discusses many details about curriculum and instruction. I liked the example of the teachers at the beginning of chapter 5. One teacher knew math. That is exactly what she taught. She felt her job was to deliver the material, and the students were supposed to "get it". The other teacher learned about the students. She would do whatever she had to in order for the students to learn. I believe this is true. If I, as a teacher, invest my time in my students to the point that they know I care about them as individuals, they will want to learn. The author of the book explained that there were five characteristics of curriculum and instruction that helped her learn: the work was important, focused, engaging, demanding, and scaffolded. I especially liked how the book explains the importance of focused work. The students need to understand that the activities in class are focused on goals that are important and are designed to help students progress. It is important for both the teacher and the students to understand why specific curriculum is covered. In teaching it is important for the teacher to use what the students already know to help them learn more. The book explains, "teach them to activate prior knowledge, to see their lives and experiences in the lives and experiences of others, to be inquirers, to make meaning of the subject, to build conceptual frameworks, to grapple with thought-provoking questions, to make sound judgments, to develop authentic products that have meaning to themselves and others, to be active learners, to work hard, and to strive for quality."(p.66)

In chapter 6 I really enjoyed how the book describes how students need work that is important and focused. I think it is easier to accomplish a task when I know what I am supposed to be able to do in the end. The book talks about how students need to know, understand, and be able to do related to the topic being studied. The book also explains how providing scaffolding is critical in students success. Also, tiering is important in differentiating for students needs. I have children of my own, and I know that they all perform differently in different situations and with different tasks. As teachers, we need to provide a situation for each student that will make it possible for them to be successful in the classroom.