It Will Be Hard, But We Have Tools

     We are going to offer students curriculum and instruction that is demanding and will prepare them for the challenging world that they live in.  We will challenge them with subject specific vocabulary and tasks that seem out of reach.  We are going to make everything as difficult, focused, and relevant as we possibly can, but with one thought in mind, they must find success.  It is difficult to complete any job with out the proper tools.  A carpenter can not create cabinets without a good square, a fisherman can not catch fish without a pole, and students and educators can not create knowledge, skills, and abilities without tools.  In chapter 6 many tools are discussed with the idea that they can be used to differentiate instruction and curriculum to every student in our classroom.  

     Just as the carpenter must have multiple tools and chose the correct one for the task at hand, we must have a full toolbox to provide our students with every chance at success.  What are the tools that we can use?  They are simply ways we can scaffold the curriculum or instruction so that we can get every student in the class to reach new heights.  Not all of the tools we have will have a use with every student, but we must find what tool fits individual students.

     One of my favorite tools is the learning contract?  Learning contracts are valuable as they offer flexibility to students who at varied interest and readiness levels.  Not only are learning contracts flexible, but can be used with individual students, pairs of students, or even small groups,  Simply put the learning contract is an agreement between teacher and student(s) that specify a way for the student to learn.  It may be a contract where a struggling student is going to learn in his own way or where a student who is advanced in one area is going to go above and beyond the assigned classroom project.  Learning contract also have built into them responsibility and accountability, which is an important part of becoming a better student and citizen.

   One of the best tools that I have just been introduced to is that of the learning menu.  In the learning menu the student has choices for assignments, projects, and method of learning.  Students who were given a choice feel that ownership that has been mentioned, and also are allowed to select a learning style that fits them individually.  The end result for all students, no matter the choice, is that the objective is accomplished.  Students can get to the end of the road anyway they want.  The work created by using a learning menu is more than a normal lesson plan as the teacher must plan several methods for the student to obtain the new knowledge or skill, but it is worth it.  Why is it worth it?  When students get to pick the method that they will acquire a new ability or knowledge the learning has a much better chance of becoming eternal.  

     Tomlinson has offered an entire tool kit in Fulfilling the Promise, and while I  covered my favorite from her book and added the learning menu's as I think it fits here, there are many more tools available for use.  The ability to not only differentiate each student, but the ability to differentiate each tool based on the student is an incredible resource.