Constructivist Assignment - Part II

A Plan for a Creating My Dream

Written by Tamara Radtke

“My dream this year is to have my students working together in small groups on a variety of projects at the same time. Right now, students work well (most of the time) in small flexible science groups when we are doing labs. This week, they are beginning cooperative math groups and book clubs. At some point, I would like all the students to be able to pursue different activities at the same time and at their own pace.”

My plan is to have my students working together in small groups on a variety of projects at the same time and at their own pace.

Step-By-Step Plan

1. Students will take a pretest for Unit 4 – Fractions in our mathematics class.

2. Each student will get a list of assignments they need to complete for the week based on the results of the pretest.

3. Three students will be working independently using the computer program Aleks on the days they test out of lessons.

4. Other students who test out of the lesson can work in small groups on independent algebra lessons, math fact practice, or they can work ahead on the week’s other assignments.

5. Students who do not test out of the day’s lesson will meet in a small group with me or a peer tutor.

Obstacles and Methods to Overcome Them

1. Some students will not be able to stay on task in small groups while I am teaching the lesson.

• I will schedule the math group time during the time there is an aide or parent volunteer in the class.

• Initially, students will work independently while I am teaching the main lesson. Then, I will be free to monitor groups.

• Students will receive a life skills grade based on a rubric we develop to use in their small groups. If they do not receive a proficient rating, they will need to return to independent work. If they earn a
proficient or exemplary rating, they will earn class cash.

• When I eventually begin teaching the main lesson while groups are working, students who are not on task will rejoin the main group.

2. Students will complete all the tasks on their list and have nothing to work on.

• Most students will have individual projects based on their MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) Math Test Scores listed on their weekly assignment list.

• Students who complete all their work can play their favorite math games from Everyday Math Online and teacherweb.com.

• Students can propose projects they would like to work on.

• Students can volunteer to be peer math tutors.

3. All the students working independently in a group are stuck on a problem.

• Students can skip the problem and come back to it later.

• Students can go to their SRB (Student Reference Book) for help.

• The aide, parent volunteer, teacher or peer tutor can assist them.

4. Group work develops into “copying” the answers from one of the members.

• Each lesson will have the “Objective for the Day” written next to the assignment. Students will have to independently complete a warm up the next morning based on the previous day’s objective. So far students like “going over the day’s objective” during the last part of the math period so they are ready for the next day’s warm up.

• Assignments only count 10% of a student’s grade. If they cannot pass the tests, they will have to do the lessons again.

5. The Unforeseen Obstacles.

• Explain to students that we are trying something new (again)! That means we have to reflect and refine our methods on a regular basis.

• Don’t quit if things don’t work. Ask for input from students and others for ways to improve the process.