Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Middle Grades Special Education Math I teach a self contained, special education class with students from 5th grade to 8th grade who are on different developmental levels. In the past the teacher before me taught them at the level of the lowest grade in the class. In other words, if I have a room with 5th through 8th graders, this teacher would teach from 5th grade standards. I am not comfortable doing this because I believe that my higher level students will suffer. What other options do I have that will be most effective at increasing student achievement? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) You would absolutely be letting down your other students. You should have a set of lesson plans and instruction based on each grade level and their individual standards. 8th graders should not be being taught 5th grade standards unless they are that far below grade level; even then you should have a plan to increase them closer to their own grade level. Create a plan for specific conferences with each grade level on different days and specific times. For example: Set up a center type rotation that occurs regularly every day and week. Monday you teach 5th grade math for the first twenty minutes; give them independent practice work and a way to check their answers using technology. Then work with the next grade level and subject. If certain students are on the same academic level in a particular subject you can combine the groups. Design small groups for instruction with a rotating teacher group and independent practice; additionally plan days for remediation of difficult skills or where you know the student's weaknesses lie. Fridays can be used for assessing growth, accomplishments, and celebration. They should be exposed to grade level expectations however; an easier vocabulary level or lowering the amount of work expected will aid students in meeting grade level expectations as well.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Great solution!I agree. Rated On: October 17, 2014 6:52 pm Rated By: TuBuJy                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Teaching to the instructional level of the students requires groups for the best learning. I completely agree. Rated On: October 17, 2014 11:59 pm Rated By: qyDyXu                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I would also use this approach, higher students should not be taught lower material and visa versa. This would be easy to implement and likely to solve the problem. Rated On: October 19, 2014 5:44 pm Rated By: amemuW