Internship Project EAD 894 Flexible Grouping

Shelley Chuchmuch

What is flexible grouping?

• Flexible grouping is grouping students accordingly to work in differently mixed groups depending on the goal of the learning task at hand. (Opitz)

Points to consider

• Student groups are based on performance.

• All groups are kept fluid.• All groups are provided with higher

order thinking skills.• Silent reading activities are

accompanied by purposeful reading and purposeful exercises.

• Teachers utilize open ended assignments to provide for individual differences.

• Teachers are expected to use a variety of materials with an emphasis on reading whole books not sections.

• Student performance is assessed and observed daily.

Points to consider continued . . .

Benefits of flexible grouping• Small groups allow students to learn

content but acquire interpersonal skills.• Students become independent learners

and are accountable for working alone or in a group.

• Develop skills in face to face interactions.

• Reduced noise levels allow for less distractions.

Benefits continued…

• Increases literacy knowledge that is characterized by several abilities.

• All learners feel part of the community.• Students care about themselves and

each other.• More one on one interaction time with

the teacher.

Implementation of flexible grouping• April 2004 – met with administration to discuss the need for

implementation of flexible ability grouping in the elementary school.

• April 2004 – met with principal to determine and schedule common teaching periods for Language Arts and Mathematics in the timetable.

• September 2004 – teachers met to determine needs of students and testing materials to be used to determine grouping placement.

• September 2004 – Teachers tested students and grouped them based on testing results from Brigance Inventory of Basic Skills, Gaites Magininity, MACII English as a Second Language Test and Math Advantage placement Tests.

Implementation of flexible grouping…• September 2004 – teachers met to discuss testing results and

social groupings. Students would be grouped according to chronological age and would remain with the homeroom teacher for Social Studies and Science.

• September 2004 – teachers met to determine how to disseminate information and decide on the common vocabulary that would be conveyed to parents about flexible grouping at Back to School night.

• October 2004 – students began going to respective groups for Language Arts and Mathematics.

• November 2004 – teachers met to determine how and who would complete report card and Individual Education Plan (IEP)

• May 2005- teachers met to determine when to post test• June 2005- teachers met to assess results

Feedback from studentsSara Hammadi Grade 5

Feedback from administrationDr. Anna Karola Director

Feedback from AdministrationLibby Naert Principal

Feedback from teachersShelley Jackson Grade 4

Pre and post test results Grade 5 Language Arts and MathBrigance Testing

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C4 C5 D1 F1 F2 I1 J 3 M1

Pre test

Post test

Key:

C4: Listening Comprehension vocabulary C5: Listening Comprehension

D1: Word Recognition Grade Placement F1: Reading Comprehension Grade Placement F2: Reading Comprehension I1: Spelling

J3: Sentence Writing Grade Placement M1: Math Grade Placement

Grade 5 Math Advantage Pre and Post test results

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Pre test: Class average 62% September 2004

Post test: Class average 75% May 2005

Gates MacGinitie Pre

Gates MacGinitie Post

MAC11 ESL Placement test

Student 1 Grade 1.1 Grade 1.6 Low G2 Beg Grade 3

Student 2 Grade 2.4 Grade 3.0 Middle Grade 3

Student 3 Grade 2.1 Grade 3.0 Grade 3

Student 4 Grade 2.9 Grade 3.6 Grade 5

Student 5 Grade 3.1 Grade 3.5 Grade 5

Student 6 Grade 1.4 Grade 1.6 Grade 2

Student 7 Grade 2.7 Grade 3.6 Grade 5

Student 8 Grade 3.3 Grade 3.6 Middle Grade 3

Student 9 Grade 2.2 Grade 3.3 Grade 3

Gates MacGinitie Reading Test

MAC11 English as a Second Language English Language Grade Placement Test

Future plans….

• Because of the success of flexible grouping in the Elementary school, flexible grouping will be implemented throughout the middle and high school in the 2005-2006 school year.