I remember always wanting to beat my brother in a race. Any race. But since he was older and bigger than me it seemed impossible. Since we both knew he was faster than me, the only way I would agree to race him was if he gave me a "head start". Remember that? Depending on how little someone was you would set their their starting point closer to the finish line. Anyway, as I grew and got faster the distance between us got smaller and I had to work harder to beat or catch him. In the end, even as kids, we knew it was important to make it "fair" or equal so that I actually stood a chance.
Today, I see that same idea in my mind when I'm working with my students whose cognitive and academic deficits slow them down or make it harder for them to keep up with the class. Every time I alter an assignment it's like giving them a head start so that they have a chance to "win" too.
My high school teaching experience was very unique and forward thinking for the times. I taught biology for a charter school that was located on a university campus and my students mainly came from migrant working families who lived in colonias. As you can imagine, having such a transient population meant having many students with learning gaps. Some of my students were reading at 3rd or 4th grade reading level and the textbook my school wanted me to use was the same one I had used as a freshman in college biology. Definitely not something they could access. It took a lot of getting to know my students and differentiating to make sure my were successful.
I currently work with 8th grade students as an inclusion assistant and am very lucky to work with one of the best inclusion teachers on our campus. She is the queen of differentiation and together we make a good team. My goal with this blog is to compile ideas we've tried and ones we'd like to try with the hope that it can be a resource for anyone trying to reach their students at various levels.
~ Sandra
