Bog #5 Differentiation

Chapter 2 and 3 meaningful quote.

p. 31

"Invested teachers act as mentors for students, as advocates, and as partners."

I agree whole-heartedly with this idea. A student should feel that they have a mentor on their side to model what they are to learn (so they learn it correctly).

Having an advocate in their corner who believes in the student and will stand up for their rights is something I have always felt important. Every kid needs an advocate. I become a Momma bear when I see any child being unkindly treated. I become their voice and stand up for their rights.

Teachers can be a partner with their students by showing their zest for always wanting to learn more. They can also be excited about the curriculum and pass that excitement along to their students. Students need to feel their teacher would never ask them to do something that the teacher wouldn't do herself in order to learn about that particular subject. They will eventually come to feel, "If it's important enough to the teacher, it's important enough for me."

p.17

"Each learner needs to come to see that he or she is a nonnegotiable part of a classroom system with interdependent parts."

Students should always feel that they are an integral part of their classroom. They area part of a classroom "family" (if you will). Each person should look out for each other, put up with some behavior and not accept others. Also, every person should be expected to participate in some way in the learning process each and every day. When they do participate, their contribution should be valued and not threatened.

When a student makes an effort to participate in the class (and their own personal) learning, they come to realize they are needed and will fulfill that role by making more contributions. I want everyone to want to learn in my classroom, and I especially want all to feel as if this is where they are meant to be.