Teaching in a Multi-Learning Level Classroom

Having a multi-level learning classroom can present many challenges. To teach effectively in this environment it is important to design instruction to meet the individual needs of each student.

One of the issues in some of today's classrooms is the use of standardized teaching which basically teaches all students in a particular grade at the same grade level when in reality there can be up to a 6 grade difference within the class. It is important to embrace these differences and design instruction to meet the multiple learning levels in a way to help each student progress to the next level. This is no easy task! It takes a lot of planning and collaboration with team teachers and paraprofessionals.

I work in a multi-learning classroom and we structure our teaching in a way that embraces the differences in each of our students. As a para I work closely with the teacher to help meet each of the students needs. We teach the basic core subjects that include English, math, social studies, and science. Along with this we also teach life skills and pre-vocational skills.

During our core subject blocks we begin with an introduction to a themed unit and during that time allow for some group discussion about their personal experiences. For example we had a unit in science about outdoor life. This unit included nature and outdoor living. We opened up each science block with a topic story that involved comprehension questions to answer. Because of the different learning levels we answer the questions together as a group.

After the opening introduction to the topic. We allow time for students to share experiences that relate to the topic. This helps the students to be engaged in their learning and shows how the topic relates to real life experiences.

To finish our block we provide individualized time for each student to engage in a task about the topic that helps them to learn more about it. With our higher functioning students this may be working in pairs to research via internet or possible scavenger hunt questions related to the topic, and our lower functioning that may need to work on writing or visual skills can work on individual tasks that relate to the topic such as putting sentence strips in order from the story via cut-and-paste or work box tasks that relate to the topic itself.

The most important thing is to make sure you are meeting each students individual needs and helping them to progress to the next level of learning. Like I said, this is no easy task and takes lots of planning but the end reward is great when the students are engaged and showing progress!

To see one of our classroom tasks that some of our students use that relates to outdoor living, go to my Task Tips page and check out the Ready to Camp Life/Vocational Task This is a task that is adaptable to various learning levels and skills.

The Benefits of Work Box Tasks for All Students

Work box tasks are beneficial in many ways for all students. They are not only used to help individual students meet IEP goals, they can also be used to help reinforce a concept taught in the classroom.

All core subject areas are presented by teachers in various teaching methods to accommodate the needs of all students. Where work box tasks can be beneficial is in the area of reinforcing the key concepts that the students have been taught.

For example:

The teacher may be doing a lesson on interrogative questions...who, what, when, where, why.
While some students may clearly grasp the concept of asking informative based questions, others may need further help and visuals to increase their understanding.

This Who? What? Where? task is an example of a resource that can help reinforce this concept:


I encourage you to browse my store and look at the many tasks that can be used to reinforce money skills, spelling, addition, subtraction, map skills, life skills, vocational skills, etc...

FREE Task to Begin the New Year

Here is a FREE task to say thank you for your interest in my blog! I appreciate you!!

Winter Science Activities

Winter can be a challenge especially just coming back to the classroom after the holiday break.  A great way to keep students interested and active in the classroom in providing hands on activities to make learning fun.

Science is a great subject to incorporate hands on learning and experiments. I came across this wonderful article with ideas that will work with various grade levels.

http://cocopreme.hubpages.com/hub/Easy-Snow-and-Ice-Experiments

Here is just a sample of one of the activities presented in the article. Enjoy!

Salt and a String

Kids can perform a “magic trick” with an ice cube, a string, and salt. Place an ice cube in a cup of water. Cut a piece of string a few inches long. Have the kids try to pick up the ice cube using just the string and not their fingers. They will see that it does not work.

Now dip the end of the string in the water and lay it across the ice cube. Sprinkle some salt on top of both the ice cube and the string. Wait a minute or so and then try to pick up the ice again using just the string. It should work this time because the salt will have melted the ice slightly and the water will have refrozen around the string. 

End of the Year Christmas Sale!

Just stopping by to thank everyone for a great year and for following and finding interest in what I do to provide for students with special needs.

To thank you, I am hosting a sale at my TpT store Adaptive Tasks. Save 20% on everything in my store and prepare your classroom or home school for the coming new year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Classroom Stress

As the end of the year and holidays approach, class time can become a place of stress if not managed with some extra things in mind.

Students become antsy from the excitement that surrounds the Christmas holiday and it is hard to remain on track in order to meet curriculum needs.

With the thought of extra time off and the excitement of holiday festivities it is important to try to stick to as much routine as possible and reinforce the rules that were given at the beginning of the year.

The following article explains how to keep the learning going and hopefully bring a stress free environment before holiday break.

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/article/keep-learning-going-during-holiday-vacation-times

Keeping Kids Hands-On In The Classroom

It is so fun to see students wanting to do hands-on tasks in the classroom when so much technology is surrounding them. This skill is also important to help with their pincer grasp and manipulation.

Making tasks fun and offering great visuals and variety is also key to stimulate their desire to do the tasks. We now have a group of students that can't wait until vocational time so they can pick one of many tasks to work on.

Here are a few of the latest tasks added to our shelves. You can find these and more to fit your classroom needs at my store.