post 11

While I was reading the Tomlinson book, I saw a section that addressed the idea that teachers often underestimate students. She says " it is likely that we underestimate what any student can accomplish, often establishing as performance ceilings goals that ought to be planks in the floor." I think this is so true. I even do this with my own children. I am constantly surprised at what they know and are able to do and accomplish. Every child has to potential to learn and succeed in school and in life. The tasks are given to students should REALLY make them think and not just be busywork. I will have to keep this in mind more as I am working with struggling learners or any student. I need to set high expectations so that my lessons don't become a floorboard instead of a ceiling.  I want to create a class full of problem solvers who can think and reason in order to accomplish a task.