Comments on: Challenging All Students http://www.toddseal.com/rodin/2007/03/challenging-all-students/ Challenge The Status Quo Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:32:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Todd http://www.toddseal.com/rodin/2007/03/challenging-all-students/comment-page-1/#comment-12487 Todd Thu, 19 Apr 2007 06:38:35 +0000 http://www.toddseal.com/rodin/2007/03/challenging-all-students/#comment-12487 Good thoughts, Ms. Q. I'm afraid that your answers are idealistic. I'm literally afraid that's the case because your thinking is solid. But teachers are human. The bulk of my class reading one play and a small group reading another, I can't do that. I can't run two totally different units in my class at the same time. Further, having 30 different IEPs per period, 120 each day (I have a release period for something else), is also something I just can't do. I know that not all kids learn at the same pace (which is why I allow for second semester performance to improve first semester grades of those who failed), but I also know that I can't teach 30 different things at once or manage 30 different projects at the same time. It's a nice idea for all students to have an IEP, but it's just not terribly practical. What you describe might be possible with 20 students in a class at a time. Maybe. With 30+ students in each class? I'm not so sure. Good thoughts, Ms. Q. I’m afraid that your answers are idealistic. I’m literally afraid that’s the case because your thinking is solid. But teachers are human. The bulk of my class reading one play and a small group reading another, I can’t do that. I can’t run two totally different units in my class at the same time.

Further, having 30 different IEPs per period, 120 each day (I have a release period for something else), is also something I just can’t do. I know that not all kids learn at the same pace (which is why I allow for second semester performance to improve first semester grades of those who failed), but I also know that I can’t teach 30 different things at once or manage 30 different projects at the same time. It’s a nice idea for all students to have an IEP, but it’s just not terribly practical.

What you describe might be possible with 20 students in a class at a time. Maybe. With 30+ students in each class? I’m not so sure.

]]> By: Ms. Q http://www.toddseal.com/rodin/2007/03/challenging-all-students/comment-page-1/#comment-12479 Ms. Q Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:36:22 +0000 http://www.toddseal.com/rodin/2007/03/challenging-all-students/#comment-12479 "How can I have one set of expectations for one kid and a completely different set for another?" Short Answer-Yes. Long Answer-you need to challenge the kids at just above their ability level. Otherwise, the work is too easy and no real learning will take place. "Grades for a class need to be grades based on all of the same work, right?" Short Answer-No. Long Answer-grades should be based on course objectives or standards of learning. Are the students meeting the objectives or standards. And-if you have different ability level students, you will have different ability level standards/objectives. "Can each student in a class have a different individualized education plan, yet still earn credit for the same course?" Short Answer-Yes Long Answer-We, in education, need to get rid of the idea of all kids must learn the same thing at the same time. We just don't learn this way. Brain research tells us this much. It is not so much the course, as the standards being addressed in the course. I assume you teach literature/language arts. So your lower and middle kids seem to be doing well with Macbeth--great. Keep them at it. But, if your higher level kids aren't getting anywhere, where's the harm in having them analyze a different play. You could have them do a different Shakespeare play OR a play that is similiar in theme to Macbeth. The kids need to buy into it, of course. You can't make it seem like they are being punished with more work, because they are above their peers. The other kids may also look unkindly on the difference in coursework. You overcome this by having a frank discussion about different learning styles and abilities. It's not about easier/harder or smarter/dumber. It's about can I do it alone (too easy) versus can I do it with a bit of guidance. Hope this helps! “How can I have one set of expectations for one kid and a completely different set for another?”
Short Answer-Yes.
Long Answer-you need to challenge the kids at just above their ability level. Otherwise, the work is too easy and no real learning will take place.

“Grades for a class need to be grades based on all of the same work, right?”
Short Answer-No.
Long Answer-grades should be based on course objectives or standards of learning. Are the students meeting the objectives or standards. And-if you have different ability level students, you will have different ability level standards/objectives.

“Can each student in a class have a different individualized education plan, yet still earn credit for the same course?”
Short Answer-Yes
Long Answer-We, in education, need to get rid of the idea of all kids must learn the same thing at the same time. We just don’t learn this way. Brain research tells us this much. It is not so much the course, as the standards being addressed in the course.

I assume you teach literature/language arts. So your lower and middle kids seem to be doing well with Macbeth–great. Keep them at it. But, if your higher level kids aren’t getting anywhere, where’s the harm in having them analyze a different play. You could have them do a different Shakespeare play OR a play that is similiar in theme to Macbeth. The kids need to buy into it, of course. You can’t make it seem like they are being punished with more work, because they are above their peers. The other kids may also look unkindly on the difference in coursework. You overcome this by having a frank discussion about different learning styles and abilities. It’s not about easier/harder or smarter/dumber. It’s about can I do it alone (too easy) versus can I do it with a bit of guidance. Hope this helps!

]]>