tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098068962548180642.post624623397428136341..comments2020-06-14T11:34:13.403-07:00Comments on Ms.Mac in the Middle: Personalization Step 1: Why make a change if nothing is broken?Ruth Machttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09177627973208192867noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098068962548180642.post-67396600583396557622012-12-10T18:17:16.000-08:002012-12-10T18:17:16.000-08:00Hi Ruth,The system that you have in your classroom...Hi Ruth,<br>The system that you have in your classroom is far from broken - it sounds like a dynamic and exciting class. This post, itself, offers a wealth of ideas and inspiration for teachers of math, and beyond! Congrats!<br><br>In terms of moving forward with next steps, I suggest this article about leveraging technology to help you personalize your classroom: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-differentiated-instruction-ten-key-lessons<br><br>But you have identified one of the key elements to personalizing the classroom: front-end loading of material and activities. It requires a lot of work, and I like that you've already got a start in creating these static mini-lectures of core knowledge. These most likely won't change over time, so you can create a different media for presenting these lectures.<br><br>In terms of students that miss the class, a personalized approach could mean that they could access the core knowledge and key ideas elsewhere. In fact, they could access the material BEFORE the class, not just afterwards.<br><br>As a teacher VERY interested in personalized learning, I really appreciate this post and the insights, inspiration and inquiry!<br><br>Thanks,<br>garth.Garth Nicholshttp://www.cohort21.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098068962548180642.post-84814389554525724622012-12-27T15:04:01.000-08:002012-12-27T15:04:01.000-08:00Ruth,This post really highlights your commitment t...Ruth,<br><br>This post really highlights your commitment to differentiating your classroom and ensuring that all students meet the challenges they need to thrive. I would love to come and observe you teaching sometime to see it in action! <br><br>Our students in the Junior School set goals for themselves (two big academic goals and one big social goal that they are supposed to work on through the whole year) and I have found it challenging to know whether the goal a student is choosing for themselves is at the appropriate level of difficult for that child. <br><br>How do we ensure that when students are choosing "what they need to work on", whether it is at the start of the year or at the start of the lesson, that they are working in their "zone of proximal development"?<br><br>I wonder if this is more of a challenge with younger students who are still developing their ability to be self aware or if there are strategies to ensure that students are self-monitoring effectively.ckirshnoreply@blogger.com