Differentiating instruction does not just boil down to the "high" and "low" students of a classroom. While this can sometimes be a basis, there is also the plain fact that different individuals learn in different ways. Differentiation is more about "building bridges between the learner and learning". As teachers, we want all of our students to fall in love with learning, to seek knowledge, and to feel safe and involved inside our classroom. By differentiating our instruction, we supply the materials needed to build that bridge. Every student in the class is not going to take away the same thing from every lesson, the important thing is that they do take something meaningful away from their lessons. Our entire class will never learn in the same way or in the same amount of time. Learning to appreciate these differences in our students and using those differences as a vehicle for learning will truly enhance the learning experience for everyone involved in the classroom. This too is a huge reason that the learning process is far more important than the grade stamped on a child's report card at the end of the year.
As a teacher in the differentiated classroom it is so important to set the right atmosphere, attitude, tone, and expectations for the school year. For success, a student MUST feel safe and secure in a classroom and know that there are expectations from him or her. Students need to know that their teacher believes in them and expects them to do their best and grow throughout the entire school year. In that school year, teachers are a students biggest advocate, cheerleader, coach, and inspiration for growing to their full potential.
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