Inspiration from Friends

I spent some time today looking at some of my classmates blogs.  It was so interesting to read what they had studied.  Their opinions opened my eyes to new possibilities about how to differentiate and how to be a fantastic teacher. 

I loved Brittany Reynolds's blog.   She simplified and expounded topics that I had found confusing.   She has very interesting insights and it was helpful to read her thoughts on differentiation.  One of my favorite posts from her was about the business a schools.  It was about a quote from out text book.  The quote said..

..."The business of schools is to design, create, and invent high-quality, intellectually demanding work for students....work that engages students, that is so compelling that students persist when they experience difficulties, and that is so challenging that students have a sense of accomplishment, of satisfaction- indeed of delight- when they successfully accomplish the tasks assigned." 
- Phil Schlechty

I liked her question, When was the last time we as teachers really asked our students to persist when they experience difficulties?  This made me think about how today people settle for mediocrity and they don't strive for excellence.  People today want to simply find the quickest way to fame and fortune.  After reading this post I plan to give my students intellectually demanding word and I will teach them how to persist through difficulty.  This is inspiring.

Carolyn Black was the other classmate's blog that I read.  She is surely one the smartest people I know and it so insightful to read about her views on differentiation.  I have always looked up to Carolyn and her blog was very helpful for me create in my mind a better picture of how to be a fantastic differentiation teacher.

I Particularly liked her post about.

"Teaching Students, not Teaching Lessons"

I think this a fantastic and one of the most basic principles we can take away from the differentiation class.  I think that I sometimes forget through the stress of school and planning and teaching that the real reason we are in this profession is to teach our students.  It's all about helping our students to become the best people they can be through life long learning.   Teaching is the best job in the world for that exact reason.