Kids at different 'levels'

[Soon2beECUgrad]

Okay, soon to be new teacher with 1,000's of questions; but this one is at the front of the line:

How best do I identify where all my 25+ students are individually in terms of their understanding of my lesson(s), and more importantly, how do I best go about giving those half dozen or so that are 'completely lost' the individual attention they need while not ignoring my other students??

A mouthful, I know. I just want to help the maximum number of kids in the most efficient manner.


Help!

[Unregistered]

Hi-

I'm a new teacher too, but here are a few ideas I have picked up along the way. These may vary depending on your subject material, but can be adapted toward your content. I'm 6th grade science, but will be teaching math this year too.

1. Have small white boards for each student (or student teams). Ask students questions and have them write the answer (math, multiple choice, T/F) on their whiteboard and hold them up for you to see. This will give you a quick idea if they are following the content.

2. This is for when you have students completing the material (worksheets etc...) while you are working with struggling students. Have a sort of discovery center in the back of the room. This can have so many different kinds of materials (games, books, puzzles) as well as extra practice worksheets. Here you can also have your higher level students choose a project (research usually) about your content. This is not for you to add on extra work for the higher kids, but as an extension for them to use and go more in depth than what you would do with the rest of the class.

3. Students who you know are "getting it" are a great resource to help the strugglers. Especially in math, use teams where students help each other learn whatever content. When they reach an empass, have them raise hands for your attention.

Hope this helps a bit.