Week 3 Blog: Differentiated
instruction using technology
Essential question: How do we prepare
parents for differentiation in the classroom?
Teaching high school mathematics,
differentiation in math class is automatically built in to a student’s
schedule. This means that the student will be put in a math class that best
suits the abilities and knowledge of math content of the student. Within each
math class, differentiated instruction should still play a large role of the
classroom. If a parent is curious why their student is in a level that is
different from the norm, the math department explains the reason using past
work from the student and district-wide testing scores.
With my students this year and in
the past years, I have implemented differentiation mainly by including topics
that interest the individual student such as flying, basketball, commercial
fishing, shopping, saving money, traveling, radio, building engines, etc. Also
I differentiate by the various types of learners such as auditory, visual, and
kinesthetic. To get parents involved in this differentiation, I normally ask at
parent teacher conferences in what ways or situations does their student learn
the most and enjoy learning. By asking parents this question usually parents
are doubtful that I can add what their students is interested with into the
math classroom. The conversation provides an opportunity for parents to help
create what differentiation can look like in my classroom.
Other ways
that we as teachers can inform parents about differentiation in the classroom is
by providing opportunities for parents to experience the classroom. Crowe
invites her students’ parents to come into the classroom every Wednesday which
allows “parents to understand these approaches by participating in them.”
(2004) At the high school level this seems like a nice idea but impossible to
do but I do believe we can still give parents an authentic experience of our
classroom by sharing video and reports of the work being done.
My district
struggles with parents who stay away from school. Tomlinson explains that many
parents aren’t involve with the school because of various reasons such as not
speaking the language practiced at school, bad experiences of their own by
school, or their lives are too difficult to add on more work to their load.
(2001) I keep reminding myself that these are the reasons that parents may not
be involved versus my assumption that these parents don’t care. As a teacher
and member of my community, it’s extremely important to keep this in mind and
if there is a way I can help shorten the list of reasons to stay away, then I
will.
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1499747/thumbs/o-PARENT-TEACHER-MEETING-facebook.jpg
References:
Crowe, C. (20014).
Wonderful Wednesdays. Responsive
Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/wonderful-wednesdays/
Edutopia (2012). A Parent’s Guide to 21-st Century Learning.
Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/pdfs/guides/edutopia-parents-guide-21st-century-learning.pdf
Tomlinson, C. A.
(2001). How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-ability Classrooms.
Alexandria, Va: Assoc. for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
In my experience, it has always been a challenge and struggle to have parental involvement at the high school level. To have them view differentiation in the classroom would definitely be a challenge just to set up because of the class schedule and short amount of time (relatively) of the class period. I like your idea of taking video and providing reports. In our readings this week, one of the strategies that help with showcasing differentiation is utilizing proactive communication. Find ways to provide parents with information ahead of questions they may have. Another way to inform parents that doesn't involve having them visit the school is to set up a meeting at a neutral location, or location that is regularly used by parents where they feel empowered and willing to visit. There is always a proportion of parents that have had negative experiences with school and we need to make accommodations for them, just like we accommodate for students.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any suggestions where this neutral location can be? In Dillingham I can't really think of a place other than during some sort of game like basketball or volleyball. Maybe I can make a point to check in with parents when I see them around town at the grocery store, post office, or bank. Do you have any ideas? I agree that for many parents being at the school is a very stressful and uncomfortable place. My goal with parents is trying to normalize the school and the school environment so that parents will become comfortable.
DeleteI also really appreciate the idea of a video. Is this of class in action? What do you include? Is there a community center? We have a community cultural center here in Bethel. It is common ground for all community. some smaller places have Bingo Halls or other community places. I could imagine if this was an issue here that having an event at the cultural center with the video showing, tables to meet with teachers and displayed projects done by students, of course, some food too. I know that one of the best parent teacher conference I went to had food and short waiting lines. I can imagine that if there was a video and projects to view it would be even more informative and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to hear about how the math classes are put together where you work. I went to a very small high school and math classes went with the grade you were in. I am sure this is because there where so few students, but it might have been nice to have the classes be mixed. Something that I have started to notice with schools and parents, is that the older the student is the less likely there parents help in the school. My idea is that it is the students who don't want there parents at the school. It would not be "cool" or the parents might seem like "helicopter parents." Maybe if the school offered some kind of parent program that had a lot of structure, parents would feel like they are needed in the school and can be helpful.
ReplyDeleteI saw many of the same challenges you do when I taught in the Bush - St. Paul Island. Parents are not real big on engaging school. As a result we may not get much support for school at home, and thus learning or academics is not a priority.
ReplyDeleteI still see that from time-to-time here in Anchorage.
I like your idea of taking a survey at the beginning of the year to help you develop something more engaging for your students and parents.