Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Differentiated Instruction Notes

We have a mindset that students need to know how to do things or understand how to do things, but what we really need them to do is be able to understand overarching concepts in which they learn knowledge-based information and are able to create products and "do" something that demonstrates that understanding. Concepts like culture can be studied across subject areas, broken down into smaller parts, and linked to literature, music, social studies, science. We get more bang for our 45-minute class periods when we use differentiated instruction to figure out who is in our classrooms, what you need them to understand, and how you will help them produce the best possible product based upon their current reality and their learning.

I'd like to thank Dr. Wil Parker for your incredible insight and for challenging us to see things through a new lens in order to start to discuss big ideas and changes for the betterment of our students.