This year is the first time I feel comfortable differentiating in my 9th grade engineering class. This is the third year that I have taught this class. I have two students that are now officially one month ahead of the rest of the class. These two students are very bright, work well together, and are very patient and kind. They were getting done with everything so quickly that I decided to push them ahead and see how much they can learn. They will learn more than the rest of the class by the end of the year. I will be able to teach them things that I typically don't have time for in the curriculum.
I met with their parents over conferences, and their parents were so thankful that I was doing this with them. I told them that I know these two boys can do it, and I want to keep them learning and not have to wait for the rest of the class or become the helpers in class. The parents said that it was okay if the boys do help other students which I agree is a valuable lesson to learn, however, I didn't want it to be their main focus in class. I want these boys to walk out of class feeling like they can do anything and are really good at engineering.
Being able to push these boys ahead of the rest of the class has been a learning process for me. Thankfully I know what's coming next and have it all set up on Moodle, so I can keep them going. We work together and communicate the plan for them each lesson. At times, they work with the class when I am presenting information, and then the rest of the time, they are working on the next project.
It has been exhilarating having them be able to work ahead and learn more then I can typically get to. It also keeps me on my toes in planning.
Jodi, differentiation is excellent concept in theory but very difficult to execute. With that said, it is awesome that you were able to provide differentiation for two students in your class! I will be interested to hear more about the actual implementation process, and how this will further impact your students with Engineering classes in the future. I think technology (Moodle in your case) does provide us with greater opportunities to create these types of learning situations for our students.
ReplyDeleteThe link below is a video that I posted to my blog but in case you didn't see it, I think it applies to our project-based and elective classes. He clearly describes classes that differentiate curriculum for each student.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLff86I93i8
Kudos to you! Huge step in accommodating these students.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome Jodi! You mentioned you use Moodle to help differentiate for these students as well as having them help out other students. I am curious what the other students think of this (having these other students so far ahead)? Do they say anything about it or feelings of being behind? Also what suggestions/thoughts do you have for a classroom that doesn't have technology daily to support differentiation (like the moodle lessons for your higher level students)?
ReplyDeleteKiersten - it doesn't seem to bother students that there are two students so far ahead. I have now started to push a few other students ahead as well, and it seems to be a motivator for others as well. When students complete their work, they ask me what they can do next. It really keeps me on my toes, but it helps that I've taught this for several years and that I can keep them going.
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