Fulfilling The Promise Chapter 3 & 4

First and foremost, after today's readings I decided that I would absolutely keep this book. Last week as I looked at the student interest surveys, I didn't realize that the toolbox was so loaded with resources and information. As I read Chapter 4, I found myself going back and forth between the reading and the toolbox.
Differentiation stills seems as big a job as ever. Just as teachers should make every effort to ensure that students should become all that they should be (response of opportunity), I believe that somewhere in the cogs should be a place for teacher's opportunity to become all that they should be-and maybe this only applies to "future" teachers. I read these chapters and try to understand the principles and then see how people have used them in their classrooms and I am chomping at the bit to get out and try for myself. Successful or not, the opportunity to try these things out will solidify all that I try to take in from the readings. I suppose I should adhere to the statement "Failure is not an option." Just try and try again.
I liked the idea that the classroom "belongs to us" rather than "belonging to me." Students need a sense of ownership and that they are needed. This not only builds pride in the classroom but it promotes the idea that each student is "in charge" of their own learning.
I also liked the thought "There is no finish line in learning." There is a lot of merit in that statement and we as teachers have the responsibility to take the initiative and be living examples of lifelong learning.