Principal's Page
by Jody Baker
August 16, 2008
Principal’s Message:
Differentiated Instruction
I get many questions from parents about Differentiated Instruction—what is it…what can I expect…is it an effective instructional strategy…where is the research that supports its use? I would like to spend a few moments answering some of these questions.
When learning tasks are consistently too hard, students become anxious and frustrated. When tasks are consistently too easy, boredom results. Both boredom and anxiety inhibit a student's motivation to learn, and — eventually — harm achievement as well. Differentiated instruction helps teachers avoid student anxiety and boredom that can be evident in one-size-fits-all curriculum.
The staff and students at Meadowlark are working hard as they have dived deeply into the district curriculum. The teachers will focus intensely on the state standards and will make sure that our students receive instruction in all areas. During Professional Learning Communities (teacher collaboration time), teachers will be analyzing student data for any areas that our students may need improvement. The teachers will then collaborate to find the best instructional practices to meet those needs as a team. This instructional model is known as Differentiated Instruction. Differentiated Instruction has enabled our teachers to tailor their instruction to meet the students where they are—spending the necessary time on standards that students have not mastered yet and not spending precious instructional time on standards they have. We have found that working as a team we can serve all of our students much more effectively.
What can parents do to understand and support Differentiated Instruction?
- Ask teachers to specify ways in which differentiated instruction will be provided
- Understand that teachers can not (and should not) differentiate all assignments and materials every day
- Encourage students to let teachers know when assignments are a good fit and when they are not
- Encourage students to compete against themselves rather than comparing themselves to peers
- Volunteer in the classroom
Is Differentiated Instruction a research-based instruction strategy? Absolutely! Carol Ann Tomlinson is perhaps the leading expert on Differentiated Instruction. Dr. Tomlinson has written numerous books on the topic and has developed many effective strategies that address the needs of all learners. Her philosophy is embedded in the belief that ALL students can learn at high levels when given the appropriate opportunities, time, and interventions.
“When parents and teachers collaborate on behalf of children, they create windows of light for the generations that follow.” –Author Unknown
Thank you for all of your support!
Jody Baker, Principal
