Curriculum and Instruction in the Face of Student Diversity

I loved this section of our text book! It tugged at my heart strings a little bit.  They say that the best way to teach a child is to care for them. I agree, and I love this next direct quote from the text. "You can care only when you understand-what it is like to be a part of that child's culture, what it is like to be unable to speak the language of the classroom, what it is like to go "home" to a shelter every night, what it is like to wonder about things no one else in the classroom seems to ponder, what it is like to think steady thoughts only to have them sabotaged by print that scrambles on the page."  

This is one of my biggest fears as a new teacher. I worry that I won't be able to reach all of my students. I agree with what the text says. You do need to understand a child before you can truly differentiate for their learning. I believe that. I know that I will do my very best to make links with my students talents, interests, and dreams.  I want to know hat my students care about, and what they want out of life. I think that there are a lot of important things we will do and talk about at school, but that getting to REALLY KNOW your students is the most important.