Alexis Stepney
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  • Always a Learner
    • EDUC 701-Page
    • EDUC 790-Page
    • EDUC 791-PAGE
    • EDUC 792-Page
  • EDUC 701-Blog
  • EDUC 790-Blog
  • EDUC 702-BLOG
  • EDUC 791-BLOG
  • EDUC 703-Blog
  • EDUC 792-Blog
  • IRB
  • Tools and Resources

EDUC 790

New Perspectives

3/31/2019

3 Comments

 
     After my 1:1 I needed to change my keyword search because I am embarking on a slightly different path and I was able to come up with some interesting things. Two of articles focused mainly on differentiation in the classroom which has been a common theme with most of research but I came across one article that discussed a complete classroom restructure and replacing it with multi-age classrooms according to students developmental level K-3 and 4-5.
Because my essential question is geared more towards all students having equal access to learning, this article explored an new idea of what that might look like compared to those I have researched in the past.
     Katherine Schweitzer (2015) notes that when students finish early this often becomes a time  that is difficult for classroom management as students look for other ways to occupy their time. In theory multi-age classrooms address such issues as multi-level learners, ELD, disciplinary behaviors, etc. However teachers will need to make significant shifts in teaching because there is no curriculum and the idea doesn't support grade level testing.
     I personally like the idea and have seen similar school structures thrive at Montessori and private schools where family members of mine attend. I don't see this happening anytime soon in our public schools though. I find small group instruction and interventions inside the school setting the best way I can really teach similar developmental students but even then after a while they began to realize which kids are in the "smart group and the "dumb" group which can make or break certain kids.
3 Comments
Karling Skoglund
4/1/2019 04:35:25 pm

Hi Alexis,

I also see a huge advantage to the restructure model you wrote about. I am currently in the "crunch time" before CAASPP testing and I know that some of my students who are destined for AP classes are inadvertently being held back from moving on because most of the population of students does not grasp the content as quickly as they do.
In regard to your keyword search, I am also noticing that one different in a word or phrase brings up another world of possibilities. I have found a few research papers that referenced some great people and even found some older research that is more general to my topic that gave me background knowledge to my area of research. Good luck with the new searches, hopefully it pulls you in the right direction.

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Golden
4/2/2019 11:41:46 pm

I have also had to change my keyword search and I feel that it has definitely gave me more information when it comes to my topic. I also have a problem with students finishing quickly in my class, they don’t perform the task to best of their ability due to them wanting to be first. I’m trying to teaching my students that they can’t always win.

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Lisa Marie Smith
4/1/2019 05:45:22 pm

Alexis,

I look forward to reading your blogs, especially the topic of disruptions, and how to keep students engaged, occupied and the strategies in which you have research and located. I agree with that teachers "will need to make significant shifts in teaching because there is no curriculum and the idea doesn't support grade level testing". I often struggle with keeping students occupied not only when they finish early, but also for those that struggled with attention span, and being attentive to instruction. Often, students arrive to school fatigue, hungry or are mentally and emotionally distracted and consumed with trauma and other family issues at home.

Regards,

Lisa Marie

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