4th & 5th Grades: The "Unit" structure is working so well with the upper grades. It provides just enough structure, just enough of a framework for students while inviting them to develop their own ideas and solve their own creative problems. This year I wrote a new unit and continue to revise units written in the last two years.
One observation this year has been that student engagement while developing their own work has increased to the point that I now extend the independent time by a few weeks before starting a new unit.
2nd & 3rd Grades: This last month has brought a huge change for 2nd & 3rd grades. These two grades have a number of students who have difficulty with emotional outbursts and disruptive behaviors. There have been days that a few struggling students kept us from being able to get through a lesson.
Over that last two years I have been considering how I could implement a TAB format in the younger grades, but had not come across a model that I particularly liked. But as I reflected on what was happening this year, I knew something had to change... now.
These grades have changed to a CHOICE-BASED format. This means that the student is the artist, they come up with their own ideas, and choose the materials they want to use for the day. I introduce new techniques in the form of very short demos. This is week 3 of the shift, and as I observe 2nd & 3rd grade adapt, I'm noticing that the overall class mood is starting to calm a bit. Also, when I do have a student that is having a rough time, I can work with them and the rest of the class is engaged in their work and not losing their learning time.
One observation this year has been that student engagement while developing their own work has increased to the point that I now extend the independent time by a few weeks before starting a new unit.
2nd & 3rd Grades: This last month has brought a huge change for 2nd & 3rd grades. These two grades have a number of students who have difficulty with emotional outbursts and disruptive behaviors. There have been days that a few struggling students kept us from being able to get through a lesson.
Over that last two years I have been considering how I could implement a TAB format in the younger grades, but had not come across a model that I particularly liked. But as I reflected on what was happening this year, I knew something had to change... now.
These grades have changed to a CHOICE-BASED format. This means that the student is the artist, they come up with their own ideas, and choose the materials they want to use for the day. I introduce new techniques in the form of very short demos. This is week 3 of the shift, and as I observe 2nd & 3rd grade adapt, I'm noticing that the overall class mood is starting to calm a bit. Also, when I do have a student that is having a rough time, I can work with them and the rest of the class is engaged in their work and not losing their learning time.