Being a true differentiation teacher

As I started this chapter I thought the definition simply meant teaching different ways and adapting to your students needs. In the reading it said you have to get to know your students, not just academically but really know them. Know their interests and expand your curriculum to meet their needs and interests. That is the key factor in becoming a differentiation teacher; you must know your students. Just adapting your curriculum to need their need in school doesn’t help them meet their needs in the real world. Once you know your students tap into their knowledge of interest and work with what they give you. When I read the various student abilities I thought, I would have such a hard time with that range of differing students there’s no way I could reach all their needs. Then it hit me, I will face this in my classroom I need to learn now how to approach it. I love how Tomlinson states that a teacher needs to set her own sights high and be a continual learner. If something seems that it is out of my reach I know I can turn to the specialist in my school to help me achieve it. This chapter helped me to see the true definition of what a differentiation teacher is. It is learning your student’s abilities and interests while making connections to each student’s life experiences or experience they will someday encounter. Work to adjust your curriculum and watch your students closely to see if the adjustments are working. If you need to readjust until something reaches to each student.