Differentiating Up: Considering our Students Who Need More
Today my blog comes from a personal place in my heart. As a special education teacher, differentiating instruction for my students with learning diversities has been something I've prided myself on for most of my career. I pride myself on the ability to differentiate the same homework assignment up to five different ways so all students have access. I spend a considerable amount of time reviewing assessments for the math curriculum to make sure it reflects exact skills taught from the lesson. Then I sit back and think to myself, "what more can I do?" I know I am doing my best, and please believe me for all my new(er) teachers out there, learning how to differentiate and thinking creatively does not come quickly or easily. I myself am still learning how to improve this part of my craft and include new ideas and technologies to help. For me, the most common group I neglect are my above-level students. As I shared before I do offer challenge level work to students who wou