What To Do With Faster Students?
I was recently asked what I do for faster students while I spend time helping students who need more of my help. This was an easy question to answer as my flipped class addresses this situation beautifully.
Since I no longer lecture in class, this means that the full 90 minutes of class can be used for Algebra activities. I write a listing of the day’s activities on the board and briefly talk about where students can find each activity and give special instructions as needed.
The order of the list is carefully selected and students know that they are to move to the next activity as they complete the one before. I plan this list of activities expecting the faster students to accomplish most or all. I realize that students who work more slowly will probably not get through each activity, so I put the two or three most critical activities early in the list.
We usually begin with a large group activity such as Quiz/Quiz/Trade or a Relay so everyone works together with a group. Then we might move to a partner activity such as Placemats or Matching followed by a worksheet that is to be completed individually. I place a red check mark on each correct problem on each student’s individual worksheet. Because sets of partners work at different paces, some students will move to the individual worksheet earlier than others. This staggered pace allows me to spend time with each student as they work on the individual worksheet. I collect the individual worksheets at the end of each class and give classwork credit in the online grade book. I do not keep track of or give credit for the group activities.
After the individual worksheet, we often have one or two additional activities such as a Scavenger Hunt or Sum It Up. This allows individuals or small groups of students additional practice with the new material. With this plan, the faster students are actively engaged with learning activities for the entire class and the students who work more slowly have time to work through the two or three most important activities of the day with my help.