Middle School Curriculum Night

Differentiating instruction is a valuable instructional management and delivery tool, which can be used to assist teachers in meeting the needs of the diverse populations of students which they now find in their classrooms. In using these strategies, a teacher may use pre-assessments to determine the learning styles, interests and readiness of the students, prior to the introduction of a lesson or unit. After developing a learner profile, the teacher may then differentiate according to the readiness of the student, by process of delivery, and by the product which the student may produce to

Differentiation of instruction is the process of teaching in a way to meet the needs of students with differing abilities in the same class, including those with special learning needs. One way to do this is by providing several different avenues by which all students can learn the same material. In differentiating instruction, teachers plan out and implement a variety of approaches to content, process, product, and environment. Differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of student differences in readiness, interests, and learning needs. Many people in the education field believe differentiation has the potential to transform teaching and learning in a way that raises expectations for all students.

Describe at least four significant ways in which differentiated instruction differs from traditional classroom instruction.

The purpose of the Comprehensive Curriculum Project (CCP) is to analyze the myriad of issues that have arisen over the last few years revolving around curricula and its use in the classroom, school, and district. With the 2010 state adoption of the Common Core, educators experienced many different transitional issues and developmental issues revolving around the curricula. In order to develop a deeper understanding of these issues it is important to conduct interviews, look at the Teacher Working Conditions survey, and to analyze local organizational models that might affect the transition to the new standards.

I have also seen that this group of students would benefit from taking more ownership of their learning. I think that is important to them to help transition to the middle school environment of more independence.

Prior taking this RETELL class I thought differentiating meant “dummying down” work. I struggled with the concept of differentiating strategies because I thought it help students to be all they can be. Taking the class have given a clear understanding the meaning and the usage of differentiating teaching, matter of fact, some the strategies I use in class are similar to some of the strategies taught in the RETELL class. I realized that Differentiated instruction is about using teaching strategies that connect with individual student's learning strategies. The ultimate goal is to provide a learning environment that will maximize the potential for student success. The important thing to remember is to hold on to the effective teaching strategies that lead students to positive learning outcomes and to make adjustments when necessary. It's about being flexible and open to change. It's also about taking risks and trying teaching and learning strategies that you would have otherwise ignored. It's about managing instructional time in a way that meets the standards and also provides motivating, challenging, and meaningful experiences for school age

Readingrockets.org defines differentiation as tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Differentiated instruction is a broad framework for supporting student differences by varying content, process, products, and learning environments based upon students strengths and weaknesses (Tomlinson, 2000).

The symbiotic relationship between teachers and parents is crucial to the educational success of a student. Parents must be involved with their child’s education through consistent attendance of IEP meetings and advocate for their child and their needs at school. Teachers can encourage parent involvement through, traveling notebooks home and note home programs which establish an open line of communication between teacher and parent. Parent-teacher conferences are a great way for teachers and parents to be involved in the success of the student's educational experience.

Teachers can increase parent participation in the child’s learning by, updating them in upcoming activities and events; so they can be included in their child’s education, stay informed in their child’s successes and concerns, participate in special events, and

Think there should be restrictions on grade level and sensory the content to students’ age. I consider this to be a very difficult topic in terms of public school education. There are so many different aspects of educating adolescent about sex and sexuality, and so many different beliefs and opinions in terms of how parents feel about the subject. I think before teaching a sexuality educational class to middle school and high school students it is important for the teacher to realize that his/her own cultural values may differ from those of the students and to make sure that cultural values are not infringed on the students. I work in a Title I school and cultures are indeed, especially when the school has a large Hispanic population. So,

The faculty and administration can send out flyers inviting the parents to join them for a family night where they can stress the importance of being involved in their children’s education. Teachers can also send progress reports in order for the parents to be aware of what is going on in the classroom and if they have any questions they will most likely come to the parent meetings.

In my classroom, I will differentiate learning by offering a variety of methods of instruction such as hands on models, cooperative learning, technology, lectures, group activities, independent learning assignments. I will also adjust delivery based on understanding of concepts. I

When teachers develop differentiated instruction strategies for students they provide several different avenues for the student to achieve the same learning goal regardless of which path they choose. Student choice in which avenue they ultimately select creates a sense of ownership with the students and actively engages them in the lesson. The different avenues all lead to the same learning goal just as many roads might lead to one destination. Differentiated thinking empowers teachers to be responsive rather than reactive to the unique and individual personalities,

Based on my curriculum for the first principle of the recommend practice I would use a job for each student on the classroom to complete every day, also they would have to switch the work weekly this will create a climate where the student want to feel as part of the classroom. On principle two, I would have a monthly activity where family member would have to come to the school and read a book for the kids, this way family would be aware of what we actually do in the classroom and also this would involved the family to their child school. For principle three, to improve the child’s environment I would organize the class with appropriate settings depending on the subjects to teach, this way the children will have the opportunity to move around the room during the day and help to create a routine for them, sometimes is better for a child with disability to have a schedule to follow. Principle four, I would invite parents to visit the classroom to help them understand what we do during the day, at the same time this would guide the parent on how to work with the child at home at its best. For principle 5, as we discuss before on our last assignment I would include any adaptive devices to my lessons in order to help all students in my classroom with or without disabilities, also create activities that help child’s with disabilities to facilitate the routine. Principle 6, I would incorporate to my lessons students’ feedback to their peers in order for them to develop social

Throughout this essay I will critically analyse the principles and processes of curriculum design, looking at how they apply to my own curriculum. I will look at both formal and informal elements of curriculum and also my own inclusive practice and how effective it is.