Fulfilling The Promise: Chapters 1 & 2

Chapter 1

In the beginning of this chapter I like the quote " The one-sized fits-all teacher may very well discover that the "size" of instruction he or she has selected fits almost no one" (pg 2). Growing up I felt that some of my own teachers felt that one-size should fit all, or there was something wrong with you. I had a hard time reading and some of my teachers thought that there was something wrong with me. I was just a slow reader and they couldn't understand why I could not read like the other students. When I was in third grade a teacher took time to see that my phonics needed improvement and took each letter and made flashcards for me and helped me visually see the words. She took time to see that "one size" does not fit all, and you must see how each child learns. Like it talks about in the chapter she saw my readiness and interest. Therefore, she was able to see the product that came about. While reading this chapter I could not stop thinking of that 3rd grade teacher who helped me to read and see that I was worth it.
At the end of the chapter I loves the story of the Little Prince and how fox needed to be tamed. With my third grade teacher, she showed that she believed in me, in order for me to believe in her that she could teach me. I see that how the three cogs work together to help in the classroom. I understand that what the students seek, the teacher needs to respond. My favorite quote from the cogs is, " The most effective teaching does not seek transmission of knowledge isolated from human need, but rather attempts to help young learners discover the power of knowledge to reveal, amplify, and develop the best that is in them" (pg 12). To me this shows that we as teachers really need to help our students to discover the power they have. We must believe in them to know that they will believe in us. In my classroom I hope to be able to help my students see that I believe in them, and will always remember my third grade teacher, and her example to me as how a differentiated classroom should work, and how to help my students.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 at first taught me that we must have the connection with our students , it is so important to get that connection. "If a teacher connects learning to a child's emotions, she is more likely to learn than if what is being taught remains remote from her emotions" (pg 15). This shows me that if we connect to children's emotions and help them learn, anything is possible for their continuing learning. Also that "Connecting with each child is at the heart of differentiated teaching..." (pg 22) I liked this chapter, cause it breaks down what the student seeks from the "3 Cogs" with affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge. The one that I liked the most was Contribution, I think that is important for students that they are important, and their contribution is so important for the classroom. When I was in 6th grade I had a teacher that showed me I have a place in my classroom and I could contribute just as much as anyone else. She showed us that all of us have strengths that help with others weaknesses. She showed me my abilities that I can help others and they can help me. I think that it is critical that we so are students that they are the best contributors to the classroom, and their abilities can help everyone. My favorite quote from this chapter is "Teaching asks us to do the impossible, It asks us to establish ties with each child- not to establish ties with all the children as though they were one student. They are not." (pg 22) Throughout these chapters I have learned that all students are different and have different needs. I am starting to recognize what I want to start in my classroom, such as have a great environment in my classroom that helps students see their strengths, abilities, and uniqueness in order to obtain that student-teacher connection. This is what I hope to obtain in my teaching.