The first chapter of Fair Isn’t Always Equal, by Rick Wormeli, focused on the importance of differentiated instruction. In the classroom, it is critical that the students are being provided with choices in their instruction; for this to be most effective the teacher must realize that learning styles vary. By successfully implementing options in the classroom it should help level the playing field for all students to achieve success. Another key component is knowing, as the teacher, how to balance the responsibilities between yourself and the students. For example, a teacher that condemns her students for failing is going to miss out on an opportunity for professional growth, sometimes self-reflection and the ability to admit fault can result in the discovery of a new approach that may help the students. It seems that when people hear the term “differentiated instruction” they jump to “special treatment”, this is not the case, rather it allows each and every student the chance to learn in the way that is understandable to them. In high school, my teacher had us study the “No Fear Shakespeare” version of “Hamlet”, which was a graphic novel; although the works' medium changed the story was still taught to us, making simple changes like this can be useful. After being in the school for only three weeks I have begun to uncover many of the different styles of learning that exist in my classes. As a teacher, I will use this knowledge to create lessons that will provide even the most reluctant or struggling student the opportunity to do well.
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