“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians  12:4

Our Instruction

The teachers at St. John Neumann Elementary School support a Differentiated Instruction curriculum. Differentiated Instruction (DI) refers to teaching that is student-centered.  It involves understanding that each child has different experiences and aptitudes.  By using test scores and the interests of the students, teachers can tailor instruction to the students rather than adopting a standardized, “one-size-fits-all” approach to instruction.

DI means teachers understand that just because a child is a certain age or in a certain grade does not necessarily mean he/she is at a certain level of knowledge.  Most are what we would consider “average,” some are advanced, and some require more hands-on assistance.  Differentiated Instruction is aimed at preventing those few at each end of the spectrum from being held back or left behind.  Through Differentiated Instruction, teachers are able to respond to the needs of each and every learner in the classroom.

This method of teaching is based on theory, research, and common sense.  Today’s classrooms are becoming highly diverse.  In one classroom alone, a teacher is likely to have students with varying social, academic, physical, and emotional needs, and he/she must be prepared to meet the needs of all learners.  Teachers at St. John Neumann are accepting this challenge by implementing many new strategies in the classroom.

Your child’s teacher will be pre-assessing your child to determine where your child is academically and modifying his/her assignments to meet his/her needs.  Differentiation provides students with opportunities to work on assignments that best suit their interests and abilities.

Brain research reports that only when tasks are moderately challenging for an individual does the brain think in a way that prompts learning.  With a classroom full of students that have a wide range of readiness and experiential levels, it is necessary to develop approaches to meet the varied needs of all learners.  That means every child in the room may not be working on the exact same assignment at the same time.  Maintaining motivation for students is also crucial to their development.  We will be challenging each child in all areas.

First Corinthians 12:4 tells us, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”  We have been commanded earnestly to raise our children for God’s service.  Our children have been blessed with many gifts from God.  Assisting them to realize their gift of learning, by pointing out to them their strengths, helps them to be all God created them to be.

Differentiated Instruction is another example of our school being an environment where children experience success.