Meeting the student where they are. Finding that "just right" challenge spot where students can maximize learning. This is the difficult task of Differentiation. Students will find it on their own if they are self motivated to learn something independently, but finding it for them proves to much harder. We need to take sufficient time to get to know them. Understand them as learners. Identify background knowledge, learning styles, preferences, anxieties, previous success and failures. This takes time, systems and patience. It also takes the understanding and confidence in your methodology to feel comfortable with not being pressured to force too much, too early.
So what do we do? Here are some things that I currently do on my teaching team. Some of these are our own designs, some are systems of the school we are a part of and the philosophy that has been developed over time. Student/parent intake meeting: we are very fortunate to have a district that supports the relationship portion of learning. We have a 15 minute meeting before the school year with every incoming 9th grader on our team. A chance to get to know them a little and highlight any things we can use later to our advantage.
Integrated Unit on community and the individual. We spend 6-7 days on activities that intentionally guide students through the community creation process. Imbedded are many activities that create self reflection and pre-assessment to use in our individual courses. We come out with reading levels, comfort levels, learning styles, and common language around behaviors and practice.
At the end of all of this we have a much better understanding of who our students are and how we might best be able to support them in the next 10 months.
So what do we do? Here are some things that I currently do on my teaching team. Some of these are our own designs, some are systems of the school we are a part of and the philosophy that has been developed over time. Student/parent intake meeting: we are very fortunate to have a district that supports the relationship portion of learning. We have a 15 minute meeting before the school year with every incoming 9th grader on our team. A chance to get to know them a little and highlight any things we can use later to our advantage.
Integrated Unit on community and the individual. We spend 6-7 days on activities that intentionally guide students through the community creation process. Imbedded are many activities that create self reflection and pre-assessment to use in our individual courses. We come out with reading levels, comfort levels, learning styles, and common language around behaviors and practice.
At the end of all of this we have a much better understanding of who our students are and how we might best be able to support them in the next 10 months.
Formative Task Sheet for Breakfast Club.
Who Am I? Task Sheet
Introvert/Extrovert Activity
Comfort Zone Task Sheet
Pick n Choose Task Sheet
Naspe 4 Self Assessment
Summative Assessment for Problem Solving Unit - Project Adventure: Summative
Summative Assessment for Suicide/Depression Awareness Unit: Summative One
Who Am I? Task Sheet
Introvert/Extrovert Activity
Comfort Zone Task Sheet
Pick n Choose Task Sheet
Naspe 4 Self Assessment
Summative Assessment for Problem Solving Unit - Project Adventure: Summative
Summative Assessment for Suicide/Depression Awareness Unit: Summative One