Blog Promp: December 1st Meeting

Blog Prompt:

Do you differentiate instruction?  Why?  Why not?
Why is it important to differentiate instruction?
What impact does it have on student learning?



I try to differentiate instruction.  However, from what I understand, some of the class is supposed to be differentiated instruction, while at other times, it is supposed to be a group lesson.  I try to do a variety of both.  One day I will use Khan Academy, which helps students where they are lacking in skill.  Essentially, it is a skill-building tool.  Other times, I will do group lectures.

I feel like it is really good to differentiate instruction.  When I have the students work on Khan Academy, then I can go around and answer questions that students have.  Also, I think it does help the students learn, exactly where they are at.  Whenever I do group instruction, it seems to be above their skill level.  While I want the students to succeed, I am trying to get them to grade level (or where they should be).  Oftentimes, I will go over ideas from Algebra 1.  Although I like to focus on topics such as negative and positive numbers when doing algebraic concepts, because many often struggle with that.  Thus, I try to pull them up, but I also try to help them on the way.