Every academic classroom has kids who need extra support to reach their full potential, as well as kids who appear to fly through everything you put in front of them. Those kids can become bored or disengaged. Meeting the needs of all those students is challenging, but it can be done. Determining ways to push kids who are ready for the challenge without leaving other kids behind takes creativity and deliberate planning, but ultimately it pays off for everyone.
Cate Reed, seasoned administrator, current Senior Vice President of Teach For America, and Possip Reporter, discusses what teachers can do to meet the needs of students who move quickly through material at school.
Supporting the academic growth of every student is no small feat! Teachers always want to ensure they are supporting the success of every student, but that can be easier said than done. When you face students who need an extra push, or families who are sharing that their student is ready for more, consider these ideas:
Academic Planning Ideas
GIEPs: Some states have G-IEPS (GIfted IEPs) for students who need accelerating, where the goals and strategies are laid out yearly. If you don’t have access, or the student is not designated as gifted, offer more challenging tasks, assignments, or projects that go beyond the standard curriculum. Allow them to delve deeper into topics of interest.
Personalized Learning Plans: Develop personalized learning plans for students who are outliers and fly through the material you usually provide. Base assignments, projects, and assessments on their strengths, interests, and readiness levels. Also, write that up so students and parents know expectations. This helps ensure that they are appropriately challenged.
Compact the Curriculum: When possible, allow students to “compact” or accelerate through the curriculum by demonstrating mastery of content. This enables them to move ahead to more advanced material, preventing boredom and maintaining their interest. If a student can ace the chapter test mid-way through, move them along- or, see if there is a higher grade level class they could join.
Individualized Projects: Encourage and support independent study projects that align with a student’s interests. This allows them to pursue in-depth exploration of a particular topic, fostering a sense of autonomy in their learning. Doing a measurement unit that is too easy for some kids? See if they can measure the distance to the moon or to Mars!
Instructional Tips
Flexible Grouping: Implement flexible grouping strategies to allow students to work together on projects or engage in discussions. This provides them with opportunities to collaborate with peers who share similar abilities and interests. Ensure these groups are flexible and not fixed so that kids can move in and out based on their strengths and interests.
Flexible Assessment Methods: Offer flexible assessment methods that allow students to showcase their understanding in ways other than traditional tests. This could involve projects, presentations, or creative expressions that align with their strengths. This can work for all kids, but it can work as a useful extension activity for students who master the content quickly.
Tips for Communicating Academic Needs and Pushes
Teacher-Student Conferencing: Everyone has family conferences. Start conferencing with students to engage in regular conferences to understand their needs, interests, and aspirations. This personalized interaction helps build a supportive relationship and allows for better adaptation of teaching strategies.
Advocacy and Mentorship: Advocate for students and facilitate mentorship opportunities. Connecting them with mentors in their fields of interest can provide valuable guidance and exposure to advanced concepts.
Family Involvement: Keep parents informed and involved in their child’s education. Collaborate with parents to understand the unique needs of their child. Develop strategies for support both at school and at home.
By considering some of these strategies, educators can create a more inclusive and stimulating learning environment for students within a regular education classroom. Always remember that these ideas are great for all kids, and increase their likelihood of engagement in school – not just for the high flyers!
