Reflective Key Assignment

You have a key assignment this week that requires reflection so I think that should be enough reflecting for one week. Anyone who just can't resist feel free to reflect on any additional reading you do.

Chapters 3 and 4

For this week's reading, respond to either No.1, parts a, b, and c, OR No. 2.

1a. How is “living what [you] believe” (Fulfilling the Promise, page 26, middle of right-hand column) both difficult and easy for teachers?

1b. How can (might, should) differentiation affect “living what you believe”?

1c. From chapter 4, explain what Tomlinson mean when she suggests that a teacher, early and often, should say to students, “Let’s figure this out together. Let’s make this our class.”

OR

2. Share 3 (three) exact quotes that are meaningful to you (from across these two chapters), and explain why they matter to you.

Reflecting on Sylvia Allan's Visit

Reflect on what you learned about creating community in your classroom from our visitor, Sylvia Allan.

Chapter 2 The role of students needs

Choose one of these two comments to reflect on or reflect on a quote from the chapter that spoke especially true to you.

2a. What does the following phrase mean, and what you think about it? “…emotions trump learning.”

2d. On page 22, Tomlinson says, “The truth is, we will never really do all each child needs us to do.” Later on this page she says, “The point is not to entertain guilt. The point is to relentlessly seize the remarkable opportunity of a teacher to shape lives – to do the best we can to ensure that we are better at reaching children today than yesterday, better at it this year than last.”

Chapter One from Fulfilling the Promise of the Differentiated Classroom

Choose one of the following to respond to and then either post an aah statement that spoke powerfully to you and share the connection you made with it or choose a second statement that was meaningful to me and add your connection.

1a. On page 10 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson states that “teachers who are willing to establish ties with students discover new depths of truth each day...” What does this mean to you?

1b. On page 10 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson says, “… we teach responsively when we understand the need to teach the human beings before us as well as to teach the content with which we are charged. … [It] is important to begin with the conviction that we are no longer teaching if what we teach is more important than who we teach or how we teach.” What does this mean to you?

1c. On page 12 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson says, “… the most effective teaching does not seek transmission of knowledge isolated from human need, but rather attempts to help young learners discover the power of knowledge to reveal, amplify, and develop the best that is in them.” What does this mean to you?

What do you see?

As you look at the field of flowers often the first reaction is, "The hillside is colored with beautiful flowers." Next you might note the yellow, red, lavender, and marvel at how the colors added to the palate a richness that would be lost if all were one color. If you step closer, you will notice that the shape of the petals and foliage may vary for flowers of the same color. But, when you have watched the flowers in that same field over time, you will note stems that now bear seeds and others just bearing buds and the promise of new flowers.

Think about this field of wildflowers as a metaphor for a classroom of children. How does your perspective of the picture change as you look for the uniqueness?