FIAE Chapter 1 Response

This chapter was helpful because it answered a question that I had regarding differentiated instruction.  While reading Integrating Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design, I began to wonder that if too much differentiation can actually make students too dependent on having others make amendments for them, therefore making their transition into the “real world” more difficult.  Wormeli makes a strong argument against this possibility when he claims that by differentiating, teachers are really providing their students with the “appropriate challenge that enables [them] to thrive” (4).  If students are faced with a teacher who does not provide differentiation, the greater the chances that they do not follow through and succeed because they will be more likely to give up when the teaching style does not meet their needs.  I also agree that differentiation leads to student awareness in terms of their individual learning styles and that it encourages them to think about how they learn best.  Once they have an understanding of this, they will be better equipped to make sure that they are getting the right kind of instruction later on in their schooling, thus making them independent enough to know what they need.  Because of this, I will not try to hide differentiation from my students.  In fact, I will encourage them to consider how everyone learns differently and I will be sure to emphasize how a variety of different learning styles is actually very beneficial in creating a dynamic classroom environment.  That way, no one will feel like they need to be ashamed for “learning differently” and they will instead embrace it.