I love that scene in Kung Fu Panda. It is the end of the movie, and the team, including Po, have just defeated Tai Lung the fearsome snow leopard. Po is about to leave the village when his adoptive father,…
Music a symbol for the differentiated classroom
There is something magical about attending a classical music concert. Oops, did I just lose you? Hang in there, I am going somewhere with this! You enter the concert hall and find your seat. People are murmuring quietly. It’s all…
The Coffee Principle of Differentiation
Yes, it is true – I drink a lot of coffee. And so, I also buy a lot of coffee. My daughter always complains I drink too much, I buy too much! (really?) But it would appear she is right.…
When not all students learn
Did you ever have a time when differentiating your classroom didn’t work? Yes, it happens. Sometimes there are times when it appears that ‘differentiation failed’. I want to share you my story. A tale about two young lads. Now, I…
Differentiation – If the cap fits!
I decided to take my Man cap shopping. My Man has this favourite cap. He’s had it for years. It’s done the rounds. Camping, hiking, touring. It’s gone to soccer when my sons were little. I think that’s when he…
De-bunking the Dyson Myth of Multiple Intelligences
So, my husband recently bought me a Dyson stick vacuum cleaner. And I must say, I am a little bit disappointed with it. Now, to give it credit, it vacuums up the dust amazingly, has a powerful suction, and is…
A Question of Differentiating
Differentiating the learning experiences “I have a group of bright students in my class, how do I set work for them that engages them, but doesn’t have the feeling of being ‘extra’?” This was a question posed just recently – and…
Overcoming the Complexities of Differentiation
Small Steps When you read Carol Tomlinson’s work she makes it all sound so easy, that it becomes almost overwhelming, but starting with small steps in your planning can help you overcome the complexities of differentiating the classroom. I arrived at…
Creating the Opportunity to Learn
So I have a new book, Creating the Opportunity to Learn, just in from the ASCD. And it has given me pause to reflect once again. Their emphasis in the title is on ‘the’ and the authors, A. Wade Boykin…