Assess Chapter One

Abstract:
Chapter One established a definition of differentiated instruction as well as provided examples of ways to differentiate instruction. It was a bit of a review, but it seemed to explicate two important aspects. One, that DI is an effective method of teaching,k but should only be used as needed. Two, DI also provides a challenge for all students because it forces them to think and understand at their highest level. This is contrary to many common beliefs that anything but traditional methods are seen as helping students by making the material easier. Wormeli also states that students who have been provided with differentiated instruction throughout their careers will not in fact be handicapped like previously supposed, but will be aware of how they learn best and able to use that in other situations and careers.

Reflection:
The thing that stuck out most from this chapter was the glasses analogy: that a near-sighted student who had glasses was being differentiated so that he had the same chance as other students to learn. This stuck out because most of us had never thought of that type of thing as being a differentiation. Also, the fact that differentiating is not making things easier for students is very surprising. We did not think of the fact that because students were not being allowed their excuses any longer, they were being challenged more.