One of the challenges teachers face when differentiating instruction is how to answer the questions that will arise when you begin to do what is best for all students. Because every student is unique in their understanding of concepts, their level of independence, their interests, and their learning style, what you do for each one must be different.

For some teachers this shift in thinking is very challenging…is it OK for me to not be treating my students the same way? You might want to filter your thinking through this quote:

“There is nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” -Aristotle

Here are some scenarios that may occur when you begin to “shake up” what goes on in your classroom.

Scenario 1: Students Concerns

You’ve overheard several of the students in your classroom talking about the fact that you “like Brad and Sarah more because they get to do things that no one else does.” What happens next in your room?

Scenario 2: Parental Concerns

During open house night one of the parents makes the following statement. “I’ve heard that you don’t like to give book work and work sheets.” Just as you’re about to answer someone else starts to mutter in the back about the fact that some students get special treatment and others don’t. What happens next?

Scenario 3: Administrative Concerns

Your grade level is starting to differentiate instruction using several different strategies. During the past several grade-level meetings the strategies have been reviewed and are proving to be effective. Your administrator stops in one of your rooms and asks why so many children are doing so many different things. She says it looks rather chaotic. What happens in this meeting?

Scenario 4: More Parental Concerns

During the first month of school the parents of one of the children in your classroom have requested a meeting with you. At the beginning of the meeting they tell you that their child is gifted and they feel she is not being challenged enough. What happens next in this meeting?

Scenario 5: Your Own Concerns

You work hard and try to do your best for students. Everyone is telling you that you have to bring up the level of the lowest students. Now they’re telling you to challenge the highly able students. It’s too much!!! What message do you plant inside your mind to encourage you to do what you know is best for all?

I encourage you to read each scenario and visualize what happens next. Send me your comments. In next week’s DI Blog I’ll post ways I have addressed each.

“The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.” -Henry David Thoreau