“The Challenge of teaching diverse learners starts the moment teachers begin planning ways to connect their students with the subject matter they intend to teach.” – Darling-Hammond, 2005
Teaching is an ever-changing career, as children’s interests are continuously changing. This is especially apparent when teaching in a class where the students have mixed abilities. I think that the most important technique in incorporating children’s unique and differing interests is to get to know your students and teach them in ways that interest them. For example if you have students who are very musically motivated allow them to do an assignment on music around the world, while kinesthetic leaners may be permitted to complete a project about sports around the world. The children are then given the choice to do an assignment on something that interests them, while still meeting the curriculum criteria. Since they find this personally meaningfully and enjoy the topic they have chosen they will be more likely to succeed. As the Ministry of Education’s “Education for All” document states “fairness is not sameness”. This reinforces my belief that students should be given learning opportunities based on their interests. Not only can this be done in social studies, it can be done throughout the curriculum. For example in literacy, students could be given options when choosing a book to read. This gives children the option to pick something they enjoy and it also gives them the opportunity to be in control of their learning. Being in control of their learning will motivate them more than if the teacher simply assigned the work. The students are also given experience in making choses for themselves. I believe that if students are not given these opportunities to make decisions on things that matter in their lives (their education) they will struggle to do so in the future when more serious decisions arise. I have been a long time fan of Barbara Coloroso who is an advocate for giving children choices to provide them with control and experience in decision making. As a future teacher and parent I find her words of advice very helpful. I can see the truth to what she is saying in both aspects, as a student and daughter but also as a teacher.
Providing students choices in their learning is an excellent start to differentiated instruction so that all are able to flourish. As a teacher I believe your main priority should be ensuring that your students enjoy learning and are given the best opportunity to succeed.
Providing students choices in their learning is an excellent start to differentiated instruction so that all are able to flourish. As a teacher I believe your main priority should be ensuring that your students enjoy learning and are given the best opportunity to succeed.
http://www.kidsareworthit.com/
By: Katie Bortolotto
October 24th 2012
October 24th 2012