Hello everyone!!
I have been working this last week with the Students with learning problems. It has not been easy at all, first because the difference of ages they are very different. To give an example while students from 1st grade take a long time to finish the activity and they use to talk and laugh in class, on the other hand I have students on 6th they are children whon nedds more time to work and others finish faster. This last week we were working on speaking activities, where they rarely have to write. The aim of this is to make they like the language and they learn in a funny way,but when children see that they won´t write they say that they won´t work.When they say that I exaplain them how learning english is. So, last week we worked on activities using cards and after that when they already practice that vocabulary then they worked on dictation to parctice writing. It is good to see how students go developing their skills in the language, this step by step, what can I say Rome wasn´t made in one day. I think we will have good resultss whith this project.
Nice week all!!
I'm glad you can have a philosophical outlook on your project, Nohemi! :-) Working with mixed ability groups is a real challenge. Have you developed any strategies to help deal with this in the classroom?
ResponderEliminarhttp://iteslj.org/Techniques/DelliCarpini-RoundRobin.html
This link takes you to an article about scaffolding in mixed ability groups, although it's aimed at teachers of teenagers and adults.
Yes, working with mixed groups is very difficult. About the strategies, I write activities and paste them in the notebook in order to be ready to work with them. Besides that, I explain group by group (I separated them into three groups according to stages) the activity and clarify doubts, when they finish the activity I let them play board games while I work with the others.
ResponderEliminarThey sound like good strategies. Have you tried making the same activity, but with more complex outcomes for the more advanced students? It is another way that teachers often deal with mixed-ability groups, and might be worth trying.
ResponderEliminarHi Nohemi,
ResponderEliminarI really think that for you it is a real challenge to work with students with learning problems and also are learners at different language levels. It is good to know that you are helping your students to develop the language skills step by step. That means that you are patient teacher congratulations :)
Hi Nohemi, one strategy could be that the older SS might help the little ones. Some SS love to help the others. Just try.
ResponderEliminarKeep it up!
Edna :)
Hi Nohemí:
ResponderEliminarIt is a great challenge the project you have in your hands, congratulations!!!
I know I could never work with children so young (my experience is in high school), and to have a mixed class is even more hard, and you are doing it, as it looks, succesfully, so congrats to you.
The idea students have about "no working" when they do not have to write is pretty common, and will all ages. Students have a hard time understanding that sometimes listening and speaking are more important than writing (not always, but some times).
Good luck with your SS, and keep up with the good work!