Slice of Life: A Reminder to Honor All Learning Styles #SOL19 #TWTBlog
I scroll through my camera roll looking for a photo I need for my presentation. My heart stops when I see this photo taken by my son, unbeknownst to me, on our vacation
I am immediately drawn to my writer’s notebook. I find an entry I wrote seventeen years ago,
It has gone so quickly. So much has changed. It is difficult to fully grasp that these years have passed. Our relationship is not the same and it is easy to be drawn back to grieve those early years when closeness was a given. You want the ease of the dependence, the control, and the physical connection. It leaves you to wonder if they will remember the traditions, the values, and the memories. You wonder if you will have an impact on who they will become. You wonder if they will come back if you set them free.
This photo says so much to me. He knows me. He knows what matters to me. He may not hug, snuggle, or verbally express his love, appreciation or connection as he once did, but his picture says a thousand words.
As I venture into a new school year, my son reminds me to provide multiple entry points for students. I notice in classrooms there is a trend of “on-demand” verbal or written response expected. I want to continue to think about varied ways students can respond and express their thinking and stories. Differentiated instruction does not just mean more time and support, it means differing ways to understand, process, and communicate. I worry this aspect of differentiated instruction has been lost in the pursuit of RTI and assuring students get the individualized time required. This time is essential, and we need to assure that what is done during the time is matched to the instructional needs of the students. We cannot be satisfied with working out the schedules to give everyone the allotted time, we must assure the time is well spent by adapting the instructional approach to meet the needs of our students.
I added this photo to my reading/writing notebook as a reminder to advocate for multiple entry points for students in terms of instruction and response.
Happy back to school everyone – I look forward to learning with you this year!
Clare
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Kelsey, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum from Two Writing Teachers. Check out the writers, readers, and teachers here.
