Student Learning and Closing the Gap

Hello everyone! I hope everyone has had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by friends and family.

Last week in class we focused on techniques that we can use to help those students who are struggling in mathematics. This is very important to think about because we will have students who have difficulties with math and we need to know how to help these students become successful. According to Growing Success, as teachers it is our responsibility to "ensure that educational programs are designed to accommodate those needs and to facilitate the child's growth and development." This means that schools and teachers are ensuring that all students are growing and learning no matter what level he/she is at in their education. One way this can be done is through the use of modifications and accommodations. According to Growing Success, modifications are "changes made to the grade-level expectations for a subject or course in order to meet a student’s learning needs." These may include expectations from different grade level or a modification of the present grade level expectations. While according to Growing Success, accommodations are "changes in procedures that enable the student to demonstrate his or her learning." These could include more time on a quiz or test, allowing the student to work in a resource room or placing the student near the door so they can easily go for a walk if they need to.

Image retrieved from https://goo.gl/6drXNC

One of the first modification resources we were introduced to last week was the Gap Closing Resources through EduGAINS. These Gap Closing resources aim to assist and give additional support to students who are struggling in mathematics. As the name suggests, they aim to close the gap between students. In class, we were given two Gap Closing packages on Fractions, an Intermediate/Senior Student Book and an Intermediate/Senior Teacher Guide. The Teacher Guide including a list of Grade 9 expectations that linked to fractions and possible reasons for why students may be struggling. The book also contains diagnostic assessments, instructions on how to use the resources and a series of "thinksheet" answer keys. The Student Book contains the diagnostic assessment and a series of "thinksheets" that students can use to improve their fraction skills. These resources can be extremely useful to teachers because sometimes it can be hard to find the correct resources that will help struggling students and these resources were designed specifically for that purpose. 

In addition to teacher and student packages, the site also provides Gap Closing ePractice activities which allow students to practice their skills. This resource is excellent for students who have access to a computer and need that extra practice outside the classroom. This is just one resource that can help teachers provide modifications for students who need them.

Gap Closing is just one of many resources that can be found to help modify lessons for struggling students. Another resource that we discussed in class was TIPS4RM which stands for Targeted Implementation and Planning Supports for Revised Mathematics. This is another valuable resource that provides lesson plans and sample activities to use in mathematics classrooms, particularly applied classrooms. 

Overall, after this week I feel as if I am more prepared to enter a classroom with many different ability levels because I have been provided with a number of resources and sites that will guide be through the modification and accommodation process.

Hope everyone has a great rest of their week! Cheers.