Adjusting Compacting and Grouping by Lori Bartell Adjusting

Adjusting, Compacting, and Grouping by: Lori Bartell

Adjusting • Students get tired of the same old thing in a classroom. • Teachers need to consider the individuality of each student and their uniqueness. • Teachers need to make adjustments to meet the learning styles of all students. • Classroom activities need to be ever-changing. • Tailored fit assignments based on student knowledge.

Adjustable Assignments What are they? • Assignments are customized for students based on their knowledge. • Adjustments give the opportunity for focus on essential skills. • Assignments have the same focus even though they have been adjusted.

Why and How to Use Adjusted Assignments Why? Increased opportunity for success Adjusted to knowledge level of the student How? Pre-assessment -gather info and data on prior knowledge and group students into: beginning mastery high mastery Plan focus of the assignment. Decide what to teach. Make adjustments.

Curriculum Compacting • Strategy that allows students to skip the curriculum and move on to more challenging learning. • Designed to meet the needs of high ability students • Used as enrichment and to stretch thinking

Curriculum Compacting • Collaborative Planning Models-teachers collaborate to create and plan learning experiences for grouped students • In-Class Compacting- grouping can lead students to better ideas. • Agendas- tracking time and tasks, monitoring.

Grouping Today’s classrooms are filled with a diverse group of students with varying backgrounds, knowledge and abilities. Using grouping strategies, both student-led and teacher-led groups, can contribute to learning.

Summary The message of this chapter seems to be a reoccurring one. Students’ learning styles may just be as unique as their fingerprints. We can no longer employ the same strategies for every student. Teachers must differentiate and adjust to meet the learn needs of all students. Tailored and custom strategies must be employed to teach today’s students.