One aspect of our project we have finally begun working on is the remediation of basic skills. Using a resource called "Leaps and Bounds", we gave each student in Grade 3 a diagnostic test to assess their understanding of number. Using this information plus our own observations over the preceeding weeks, we grouped our 45 students into six groups, some as large as ten students, others as small as two. Groups are based on their demonstrated ability to model numbers. Then we assigned a staff person to each group.
Staff included the two of us, our principal and three support staff (Spec Ed, ESL, etc.). For one double period per week, we meet with our small groups, and work specifically on the skills they demonstrated difficulty with. Today, for example, I worked with my group on modelling numbers up to 100, while another group worked with numbers up to 20, and a third group worked on a Puddle Math problem to extend mathematical thinking.
After three weeks, we administer another diagnostic, and then regroup as needed for the following month.
Our hope is that with this weekly intensive intervention, students will move through their mathematical areas of need more quickly and gain much-needed basic understanding.
Staff included the two of us, our principal and three support staff (Spec Ed, ESL, etc.). For one double period per week, we meet with our small groups, and work specifically on the skills they demonstrated difficulty with. Today, for example, I worked with my group on modelling numbers up to 100, while another group worked with numbers up to 20, and a third group worked on a Puddle Math problem to extend mathematical thinking.
After three weeks, we administer another diagnostic, and then regroup as needed for the following month.
Our hope is that with this weekly intensive intervention, students will move through their mathematical areas of need more quickly and gain much-needed basic understanding.