1. What are the key questions you believe students would ask you about differentiation? What specific responses and steps might you take to help them join you in establishing and maintaining an effectively differentiated classroom?
2. What might you do to rebuild the trust of parents who feel their students have frequently been ineffectively served in school?
I just experienced dissatisfied parents last week during conferences. It was my last 2 conferences of the day and I was already starting to get tired. Both conferences were new students using school choice to come to McGregor. Both parents said they wanted their kids retained in 3rd grade because they knew they weren't ready for 4th grade. Both were frustrated with administration for supposedly denying them the right to retain. Now I was only hearing one side of the story, but I definitely could understand their frustration and it was clearly evident they did want what was best for their children. I told them I couldn't change the past but I certainly could do my best to help their children this year. So now I have to start IAT with them. I do think this book study should help me gain some ideas to help them. I do have them with Mrs. Finnicum for circle group, and hopefully small group math will help them as well. I did feel like I had to do some PR to make these parents feel more positive about school.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the key questions you believe students would ask you about differentiation? What specific responses and steps might you take to help them join you in establishing and maintaining an effectively differentiated classroom?
ReplyDeleteThe key questions my students have already asked about differentiation deals primarily with the fairness issue. My students all perform at different levels and learn through different learning styles. Some can run through the information while others have to wait to receive step by step instruction. This past week, I had a student ask me why a certain student was able to take her spelling test and he had to wait. I advised him that she was able to spell all of her words correctly without any support from me. I also advised him that he needed a little more help in order to get a passing grade on his spelling test than she does. He understood, but initially, he felt as though I was putting her on a pedal stool. Once we moved onto reading and math, he noticed her weakness in those areas. I try to let my students know that they equally intelligent, but some work harder at understanding spelling, perhaps, than others. From now on, I am sticking to the definition of fair that was discussed in the text. Fairness is giving each student what he or she needs in order to advance academically. We all have different needs, especially in the intervention resource rooms. I will scaffold my instruction in a way that is fair to each student as I have always done.
Michele,
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when you said you felt like the PR department. We are just that as educators. We are the face of the district. Unfortunatley, decisions are made about students we know, but have no say in the situation. The students are lucky to have so much differentiation during the course of their day. I know if they were anywhere else, they would not receive the same opportunities you provide. I know you warmed the parents hearts when you notified them of all you and Sharon are doing in the classroom to meet the needs of their children.
Aleicia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the positive comments. I did have a follow up conversation with one of the above mentioned parents. We had a nice conversation and made a game plan to help her child. Let the IAT process begin!! Michele
Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could just accommodate those parents? But there really wasn't room in third grade, and we didn't have any records or documentation when they came to see if that was really an appropriate placement. BTW, I heard the same concern from one of my parents the first day of school!We really are the PR department.
ReplyDeleteI want to know how you all are getting your names at the top of your blogs!!!????? Anyway, I just sat down with Lynne this week to start Tier 1 for five of my kids, and these are the bottom, trust me, there are plenty more. It is no longer the IAT process, but rather, have you done accommodations in Tier 1,2,3 before they can even be considered for testing! Anyhow, Bobby and I ran into some very concerned parents at conferences as well. What are you supposed to say when their child has made it to fifth grade without any red folders in their cummulative folders and you know that something is seriously wrong???!!!!!! Any thoughts???? The one girl's parents were ever so grateful that Bobby was tutoring her after school on his own time and that I had started to test her differently on her spelling tests. I also have been reading her tests to her and she improved greatly this week by scoring an 80%. I think we often fail as educators and really don't know what our kids know or a whole lot more of us would be doing accomodations and filling out interventions that we are doing with our students. I just haven't seen it. Dennine
ReplyDeleteAleicia,
ReplyDeleteI understand what you have gone through. I just put 3 of my students on a can you identify the correct spelling out of three choices test. I know they are a little uncomfortable but I explained to them that I needed to know if they knew the words and if they could prove it to me this way it was just as ok as spelling them. I have yet to address the whole class, but maybe I won't have to???????? Dennine
I had a parent at conferences (school choice) that wants her advanced student to have more enriched work. She was bored at all of her schools. She has been in 8 schools. This class will help me accommodate that parent request. I have been able to gather a variety of activities that are higher level thinking, technology based, and activities that include her interest of animals. The mother is very happy with the education she is getting at McGregor. At times we have to be that PR person.
ReplyDeleteDennine- I also used the identify the correct spelling out of 3 choices. It must be the age difference because the students did not feel uncomfortable. Kara
I just googled "Orbital Studies," and below is what I found...
ReplyDelete-These are independent investigations that may last for 3 to 6 weeks.
-Orbital topics are selected from the curriculum.
-Students choose one of these selected topics to research.
-Teachers help students develop a plan, method of presentation, and rubric for assessment.
-Students keep logs on their time, the resources they used, and reflections of what they learned.
The relationships we have with both our students and parents are of the utmost importance. It is difficult, if not virtually impossible, to accomplish anything without the trust of those with whom we are working. The first aspect of our job really is PR whether we like it or not! All of you at McGregor do a fabulous job at this. The school has a welcoming vibe, which is not found everywhere.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!! Even as the principal I am having difficulty with the parental piece. A few have called downtown with concerns that we are too tough on kids at McGregor. Unfortunately, it is from families of children who are very difficult in the classroom and I need find a way to help parents understand that their behavior is not going to help them be successful in the classroom or the work world. Any suggestions?
ReplyDelete