"D" is for Diversity
When I hear the word "diversity" I immediately think about ethnicity, culture, and the acceptance of our differences. In addition, we can engage students in diverse activities, lessons, and projects that promote divergent thinking. Lastly, we have diverse learners within our classrooms; where, some may have IEPs, special circumstances, and/or have a learning style preference.
At a recent EdCamp on Long Island there were many discussions and presentations centering around "soft skills" that prepare children for life. A cyclic trend of Project Based Learning (PBL) has returned and engages students in the use of a range of soft skills to solve diverse problems where students develop divergent thinking skills and practices. The bottom line, create an educational climate that allows children to engage in diverse learning experiences. A simple example would be to allow student choice for homework assignments.
As a teacher we are responsible to "know" our students and understand what modifications or accommodations are needed to promote the success of a child who has an IEP. We also work to develop a relationship with each of our students to learn what style of learning best suits them to be successful. This process can be daunting and time consuming; however, taking the time to learn these differences will provide great rewards and "ah ha" moments. Our students are people; and, people have baggage, so it is best to approach each learner with an empathetic lens. Showing empathy towards our students will often lead to an emergence of understanding, which ultimately will help us to develop a well-informed lesson or differentiate to the specific needs of our children. At the end of the day, we want what is best for our students, inspire them to grow, have success through perseverance, and provide diverse learning experiences.
When I think of our world... I think about how messy it is: people have emotions, weather happens, distractions arise, and time is never on our side. Offering diverse learning experiences prepares our students to adapt (AQ - Adversity Quotient) to different situations, problems, and people. If we can engage students in these diverse activities; then perhaps, we are preparing them for our ever-changing world.
At a recent EdCamp on Long Island there were many discussions and presentations centering around "soft skills" that prepare children for life. A cyclic trend of Project Based Learning (PBL) has returned and engages students in the use of a range of soft skills to solve diverse problems where students develop divergent thinking skills and practices. The bottom line, create an educational climate that allows children to engage in diverse learning experiences. A simple example would be to allow student choice for homework assignments.
As a teacher we are responsible to "know" our students and understand what modifications or accommodations are needed to promote the success of a child who has an IEP. We also work to develop a relationship with each of our students to learn what style of learning best suits them to be successful. This process can be daunting and time consuming; however, taking the time to learn these differences will provide great rewards and "ah ha" moments. Our students are people; and, people have baggage, so it is best to approach each learner with an empathetic lens. Showing empathy towards our students will often lead to an emergence of understanding, which ultimately will help us to develop a well-informed lesson or differentiate to the specific needs of our children. At the end of the day, we want what is best for our students, inspire them to grow, have success through perseverance, and provide diverse learning experiences.
When I think of our world... I think about how messy it is: people have emotions, weather happens, distractions arise, and time is never on our side. Offering diverse learning experiences prepares our students to adapt (AQ - Adversity Quotient) to different situations, problems, and people. If we can engage students in these diverse activities; then perhaps, we are preparing them for our ever-changing world.
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