A recent experience illustrates its effect upon top students. Early in the fall of the 2007-08 school year, Sullivan noticed that half a dozen of her 21 students had exceptionally high math scores on the MAP test.
Sullivan and Kym Davick, another third grade teacher who also had students with high math scores, devised a plan to challenge those students, including Davick 's daughter, Anika, a student in Sullivan 's class.
Before each unit of the regular math curriculum, all students took a test to see what they already knew.
Those who scored high enough were sent into an accelerated program. For example, in a unit focusing upon measuring lines and volume, the high-flying students were given more complex problems.
The flexible grouping worked.
MAP tests this spring showed that all students ' math skills progressed well, and the skills of Anika and many of her peers advanced nearly twice as many points as would have been expected for students with similar skills.
"This group did amazing things because we were diligent about the instruction, " Davick said. "That 's what 's happening everywhere. "
It takes time to develop these sorts of strategies, as teachers become familiar with the power of the tools they have at their disposal.
3 comments:
These are two master teachers, and their innovation in differentiation should be an example to the district. My kids have experienced both of those teachers, and they are very much in tune with kids, especially the individual needs of kids-
And, they should be seen as leaders and innovators at Nichols, now Winnequah, so that the differentiation for this very very bright group of kids continues.
Kym and Mary- you are both fabulous and deserve a huge amount of credit. Yippee. You proved the point.
Why didn't the article highlight what is being done for the kids who failed to perform at proficient levels?
it's great that we are giving bright kids the chance to be even brighter, but what about the ones who need to learn basic math skills, but arent?
Yes, indeed, it does take time. So when parents complain about early releases and in-service days, they need to realize this is the sort of stuff that can be developed during that time. Of course, it's not nearly enough time and many of these staff go above and beyond the school day on a regular basis.
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