Back to the Basics

"Differentiated instruction is the process of ensuring that what a student learns, how he/she learns it, and how the student demonstrates what he/she has learned is a match for that student’s readiness level, interests, and preferred mode of learning.” ~ Carol Ann Tomlinson

Today I was faced with the fact that one of my focus students was not able to chart a line graph because she could not multiply or divide and was unable to mark the Y-axis numbers correctly. It broke my heart and I could see in her eyes that she was scared, frustrated and overwhelmed. On the first day of school, when we were reviewing math problems that the kids had already learned how to do the previous year, she announced that she did not know division and that she barely knew her multiplication tables. And, don't even get me started on fractions!

As we worked on the math assignment in class, I ended up having to scaffold her more so than the other students because of her inability to solve basic math problems. I felt bad for her and tried various methods to help her understand. At times, she seemed to understand what she needed to do and how to do it, and could even explain it to me in her own words. However, when she would try to apply it to an actual math problem on her worksheet, she was unable to, and then she played the guessing game. So, I would try a different route until she could do it on her own.  But, what I realized was that she was lacking basic math skills.  What is even more important is that she realized it too. It's amazing to think that all math relies on the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide! If a person can't even do that, then he/she will have difficulty as the math becomes more challenging. The basic concepts need to be understood and the patterns need to be revealed. She is beginning to realize this. So, I hope that she will heed my master teacher and my advice to practice her multiplication tables at home. However, I know that it might be difficult to do that because she has a lot of responsibility at home and doesn't have a lot of time to even do her homework.

In the meantime, I know that differentiated instruction will be a necessity to get her up to speed with her classmates. Today, that took the form of sitting with her one-on-one and working through the problem together using addition, because that is something that she does know how to do. I felt frustrated--not with her, but with myself. I was frustrated because I felt like I wasn't getting through to her, although at times it seemed like I was. I could've just given up, but I wouldn't let myself. She is my student and I am her teacher. I needed to find a different way for her to understand. I didn't--and still don't--want her to slip through the cracks. I won't give up on her. I just need to find a different way to help her learn so that she can be successful in math.