1. Use one of the scaffolding strategies in Figure 4.1 on page 23 in the text (Scaffolding: Providing the Support Needed for a Student to Succeed in Challenging Work). Describe which strategy you used, how you used it, and the degree of success with which it was implemented.
2. What potential benefits do you see for individual students in flexible grouping? For the teacher? For the class as a whole?
What potential benefits do you see for individual students in flexible grouping? For the teacher? For the class as a whole?
ReplyDeleteThe potential benefits I see in individual students in flexible groups is massive. When I think of flexible grouping, I envision students from all areas of learning working together with their individual talents to tackle and overcome a task. I see students empowered when they work in flexible groups. The teachers assign the assignment, the students use their gifts to reach the goal of the assignment, and everyone feels fulfilled that their all was given. For the teacher, flexible grouping is the teacher knowing their students and the most effective way to place the students into the various groups. The learning style of the students has to be considered in order to assign tasks that the group can thrive. Higher functioning students and lower functioning students can find their niche on the assignment. There can be responsibilities assigned based on the strengths and weaknesses of the students learning styles. Everyone in the group will be able to contribute and in turn, the group receives an optimum score.
For the class as a whole, the groups are collaborating ideas, giving each other feedback, locating the strengths of other for futures endeavors and making bonds that can increase community among the classmates which is what we want as educators want, a learning community. A team effort is in place, much like the students will see if they participate in a sport. Real world applications in communication are at work. The students may not get along with a person they are grouped with, but will work past that difference in order to create a great final product.
Bottom line, when we as people are able to contribute to a project, we feel our own self worth. Students are people and need opportunities to display their talents in areas that others can see. Their peers and influential in their lives and opinions matter. By using flexible grouping, we set students, whose voices ordinarily are not heard, up for success in the classroom.
I love the idea that students whose voices are not usually heard are set up for success when we differentiate.
ReplyDeleteWhat potential benefits fo you see for individual students in flexible grouping? For the teacher? For the class as a whole?
ReplyDeleteOk this is my second attempt!!!!!!!! My first one was long...this one not so much! Must be flying in the blogosphere some where! Now I am eating chips and dip because of my frustrations!Anyways, I love flexible grouping because it is exactly what Annie told us on Friday...an opportunity for someone else to teach and understand 90% rather than just hearing it at 20% understanding. Yes, I even partner up for the dreaded worksheets! Sometimes they are great tools! It also makes me more accountable as a teacher,do I really know my students needs? Am I placing them in an optimal placement or am I just putting them anywhere?The socialization piece is so important with grouping. We all know the importance of teamwork in a building, working for the common good (students). We are teaching that in a flexible group, everyone has to bring something to the table, because everyone is good at something! Children see that they aren't the crows, red birds,etc...but keeping them on their toes as to what group they are in and why! Now that's excitement! Dennine
I agree with my colleagues. Kids feel more comfortable working with their peers and not always facing challenges alone. I love the choices you have with grouping, whether it be grouping by ability, interest level, or strong with weak. Plus we see how important it is to get kids out of their seats and moving around. I strongly agree with Dennine about the social aspect with grouping.
ReplyDeleteAleicia,
ReplyDeleteI agree. I do like the sense of community that grouping provides along with life skills for all students as to learning how to get along with all types of people! Dennine
Dennine,
ReplyDeleteWe must remember our students are not only getting along with one another, but learning how to deal with those they may not get along with. I think flexible grouping is a coping mechanism. Students can appreciate one another's similarities and differences in ways modeled at times by the teachers. Our students in grades 3 and 4 for example are learning they do not have to have an opinion for everyone or everything. It is a process, but one needed to prepare students for their futures.
I think all of you hit on some great points. Aleicia, as you stated, it is so important for each student to feel valued. Having structured activities within a group setting can make that happen for students. Dennine, as you point out, it is so important for the teachers to really know their students. Students need to be set up for success; when the teacher takes the time to be aware of student needs and provides the ideal learning situation for the students, it is a win/win situation. Just think about the difference between a teacher who stands in front of the room lecturing the same way, day after day, year after year. What does that teacher know about the individuals who come through her door? Through differentiation and flexible grouping, you get to be prescriptive; you determine student needs, then you provide for them. Additionally, when students go into the work force, they are usually working with groups of people. In fact, to get a job, you need to know how to work with people. So, working in a group is not only a way to accomplish a goal; it may be the goal. The key to grouping for differentiated instruction is, as Michele states, to mix up your groups depending upon the purpose of the group at a given time. Lee Ann
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