Differentiation Reading #6 - Chapter 7

I like at the end of this chapter where the book asks, "How do we begin when there is no paved road for us to travel?" I think one of the key words mentioned in this chapter that may help answer this question flexibility. Teaching is a tough job. I believe that teachers have to adapt to a variety of circumstances. We must be responsive as teachers. I also believe that teachers must be intuitive in regards to students needs. The book describes several things we must do to become good teachers. Repetitively the phrase, "It's really quite simple," is used in this last chapter. I am not sure how simple this is going to be. Maybe the author is trying to reassure us that we are going to make it as teachers. I loved the metaphor of the young man who grew up with his mom making him the best spaghetti sauce ever. Later in his life he wanted to make his own so he got the recipe from his mom and made some "gravy". It never tasted the same. He explains that his mom's gravy tasted great because it was made with love. I believe this can make a huge difference in our instruction. It must be delivered with love. I love children and I love learning. I want to become a positive influence in students lives. I know that focusing on simple things will help me accomplish big things in my classroom. What I really hope to achieve is students will feel important in my class. They will want to learn because they are valued and loved. I want to teach and can hardly wait for the opportunity to have my own class!