Maintaining a safe, positive classroom climate through differentiated instruction

Filed Under Behaviour Management, Computers In The Classroom, Graphic Organizers, Uncategorized, maintaining a safe, positive climate | Leave a Comment

Maintaining a safe, positive classroom climate through differentiated instruction [2:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (216)

Teachers can help maintain a positive classroom climate through differentiated instruction. When I asked little Lauryn who is starting grade four in September, what is the most important thing a good teacher can do, her answer was : “Don’t have all the students do the same thing. It’s too boring.” Gee, I guess we all know what happens in the classroom when students get bored.

That old adage “Different strokes for different folks” comes to mind. There’s no doubt that that applies in the classroom too. Except we don’t call it different stokes, we call it differentiated instruction.

When teachers differentiate instruction for their students, they’re actually helping to maintain a positive learning environment, and that’s definitely a good thing. We want kids who are engaged in learning, not in creating mischief.

It’s easy to determine what an individual students strengths are. Think here in terms of multiple intelligences and learning styles. There are all kinds of quick multiple intelligence and learning style inventories on line that you can have your students do to determine their strengths. Some students may even know them from having done the inventories in other classes.

Once a teacher knows what her students strengths and needs are, she can tailor the instructional strategies to suit them. When she presents the differentiated strategies to her students, she can negotiate the finer details to achieve mutual satisfaction.

The following video very nicely illustrates how a teacher differentiates instructional strategies for her students depending on the students’ strengths and needs

1. Peer Teaching
2. Independent Study
3. Anchor activity
4. Interest survey

May

29

Keeping things in perspective

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Next week is the last week of regular classes before exams, and I'm dreading all the paper work that the end of the school year demands. I wouldn't say that I was exactly feeling sorry for myself-well maybe a teensy weensy bit. I know that there are lots of worse jobs than doing the end of school year paper work, but sometime I forget. What can I say. At times, I'm can be just as self centered as the next person. The cartoon provided a nice little reality check. I think I'll print it out and post it on my bulletin board above my desk, just above the piles of paperwork.

May

22

More great graphic organizers for you to use in the classroom

Filed Under Graphic Organizers, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

I love using graphic organizers in the classroom to teach and evaluate students understanding of a topic or concept. I’ve written about them here and here before. Even my most reluctant and/or struggling students find graphic organizers engaging. I’ve noticed that my students who display ADHD type symptoms seem to be able to focus better when creating graphic organizers.

A few days ago I came across a site www.classtools.net that has wonderful graphic organizers. The graphic organizers are interactive, a feature I really appreciate. I’ve posted a few examples to give you an idea are engaging they are. I intend to use them with my students.