Hillcrest+Middle+School

**Sep **t. Survey Monkey showing lack of real understanding of small group instruction **August-Sept **. Math utilizing significant small group instruction along with SBA **Oct. ** Joined the cadre **Oct **. Planned Nov. PD around introducing to teachers-How it fits as a strategy in CIP, how it fits with standards-based approach which we are implementing, how it fits with PDSA, how to implement by classroom and by flex grouping within departments, how it fits with technology **Nov **. Meet with Cadre and facilitate PD opportunity After Nov., facilitate **Dec. PD ** on Technology Use in Differentiation of Instruction **Jan **.-begin implementation with all teachers in all classrooms with top ten tips for teachers to assist implementation and lower stress: 1. If students are to do an activity collaboratively, consider dividing a larger instructional group into smaller teams of four or five. Smaller groups can be easier to manage and more effective for learning, since students have a greater opportunity to contribute.
 * Hillcrest Middle School's Endeavors **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">2. Be flexible about how much time you spend with each group. Do not feel you need to spend the same amount of time with each. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Allocate time based on a group’s need for direct instruction and teacher feedback.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">3. As necessary, allow yourself more time with groups you suspect will require additional attention by planning activities for other <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">groups who need only minimal direction.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">4. Create tasks that students can manage by themselves after you give directions. Provide a checklist of procedures or steps for <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">students to follow as they complete an activity.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">5. Provide checklists or rubrics to convey your expectations about the quality of students work. As appropriate, provide samples or

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">6. Establish behavior guidelines for flexible group time. How much noise is appropriate for today’s activities? Teach students the difference between productive and disruptive noise. Who are students to talk to and work with? How much freedom do they have to move about the classroom? Where in the room can each group work most productively? How are they to get and return any materials they need?

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">7. Provide guidance for when and how students can get assistance from you. Establish a method for letting them know when you are free to answer questions or provide feedback.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">8. Convey your expectations about students ‘individual accountability for using time effectively. What evidence is needed to show their accomplishments during a class period? If an activity is to take more than one period or day, will they have a work-in progress folder that you can review.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">9. Establish procedures for what to do when students are finished, Where should they put their completed work? What do they do if they finish early? What about work that is still unfinished at the end of class?

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">10. To bring everyone together, consider a whole-group activity, reflection, or sharing of work at the beginning or end of class time. Providing opportunities for all students to share what they are doing shows that you value everyone’s work.

Distributed by Corda Ladd Kinzie and Kathryn Markovchick www.mainesupportnetwork.org/singapore05.htm

Q:\workshops\Singapore\November 2005\Singapore - Handouts - Tips on Managing Flexible Groups.doc