Differentiating Instruction For All Children
...Children
Abstract
This paper begins by defining inclusion, what it means in terms of education, and gives my philosophy of inclusion. Then differentiated instruction is defined and what it means to the modern classroom. Different instructional strategies are listed that would be employed in the classroom. Behavioral management philosophy and techniques are explained. The paper ends with a lesson plan teaching English to a third grade class. It shows how different parts of the lesson plan could be adapted to students of various learning abilities.
In fourth grade I read the life story of Helen Keller. I will never forget the powerful impact the small book had on my thoughts and emotions at that time. Although I had known other students with disabilities in my class, I had never thought about what challenges they must face. I just knew they were different. They came to school on that “little yellow bus.” But after reading her story, it began to dawn on me that she wasn’t all that different: she was bright; she was witty; she loved to play; she loved to read.
That same year, a young man joined our class. His name was Frankie. I’m not sure what the condition was that made it necessary, but Frankie was in a wheelchair. He struggled with any fine motor skill movement. The first day he joined our class, the teacher asked me to help Frankie to the bathroom. I thought that meant pushing his wheelchair to the bathroom. I was horrified when I realized I would have to help him through the entire process.
As I look back, I realize it was reading the story of Helen Keller and then sitting next to Frankie for the remainder of that year that an awareness of people with physical challenges began to grow in me. I still nurse that ever-growing understanding. Whether through studying American Sign Language, or volunteering as a mentor to...
View Full Essay
