Fulfilling the Promise Chapter 2

Student Needs as the Impetus for Differentiation
Abraham Maslow taught "that until a human has basic human needs attended to, until that human feels safe, until that human feels a sense of belonging, energies cannot go to learning." (Tomlinson pg. 15) In order for a student to learn, five key needs must be meet. Affirmation. A student needs to know they are accepted, safe, listened to, cared about and believed in. Contribution. Students need to know they do make a difference in the classroom, that they bring abilities and strengths that are unique, and they are working with the rest of the class towards a common goal. Power. Students want to know that what they are learning is useful for them now, that they understand how the classroom runs and they understand what is expected of them, and that there is support for each step along the way. Purpose. That what is being done in the classroom is worthwhile and that it will make a difference in the world. Challenge. Students need to know they can accomplish things in the classroom that they did not believe were possible. If these five key needs are met learning will take place. The tricky part is that even though each student has the same needs, those needs will need to be met in different ways. To be able to deal with each student's needs we must connect with each student, each student needs to be seen, understood and responded to as an individual.
Harry Wong said, "There are four stages of teaching: Fantasy, Survival, Mastery and Impact." While reading the Looking Back....Looking Ahead section I thought I am definitely in the "Fantasy" stage. The book states, "Teaching asks us to do the impossible. It asks us to establish ties with each child-not to establish ties with all the children as though they were one student. They are not." (Tomlinson pg. 22) I don't believe that it is impossible to establish ties with each child in my room! Am I in the "Fantasy" stage? As I continued to read I realized establishing ties with each child can happen it is not impossible. How? Tomlinson continues, "If we elect to continue to develop professional expertise, however, we can get better and better first at seeing and then at connecting with children individually. We learn to listen better, to look beyond the obvious and to accept the responsibility for each child." (Tomlinson pg. 22) The "Mastery" stage. Tomlinson continues, "The truth is we will never really do all each child needs us to do....The point is to relentlessly seize the remarkable opportunity of a teacher to shape lives-to do the best we can to ensure that we are better at reaching children today than yesterday, better at it this year than last." (Tomlinson pg. 22) The "Impact" stage.
As a new teacher I know I can make a difference. The "Fantasy" stage will help me through the first year, if I can make it through the "Survival" stage and into the "Mastery" and "Impact" stages. I will have the ability to help my students feel safe and have a sense of belonging so their enegies can go into learning.