In Praise of Split Classes

Sandra WeirBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Student Engagement

TL;DR: A split class is a class created with students from two different age groups. Split classes allow you to form deeper relationships with students. Students are seen as individual learners in a split classroom. A split classroom allows students the opportunity to lead younger students. split class: a class grouping that includes students at two adjacent grade levels (for … Read More

No More Giant Backpack: Using the Grid Method

Michelle KasunBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Grading & Assessment, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Follow the journey of Michelle as she discovered the Grid Method. Read five reasons why using the Grid Method is so effective: (1) standards-based (2) strategic and timely assessments (3) varied assessment (4) students work at own pace (5) enrichment opportunities. I recently saw a teacher meme that showed a man with a GIANT backpack and the caption, “When … Read More

How can I implement the Grid virtually?

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, The Grid Method

TL;DR: Implement the Grid virtually by creating a daily routine, setting expectations, making the Grid easily accessible, keeping it simple, using videos, keeping yourself organized, assessing students in a variety of ways, and communicating with stakeholders often. Adjusting to a new learning structure can take time for you and your students. Give yourself grace as you and your students adapt … Read More

Creating a Mastery Grid in Google Docs (video)

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Edtech, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Video(s)

Creating a mastery grid in google docs - video

Working on your next Mastery Grid?  Video Highlights Editing a Mastery Grid template can get a little tricky when you don’t have the same numbers of learning opportunities at each level as the template does. Have no fear! This video will show you how to build your own Mastery Grids in Google Docs using tables and merging cells. Build … Read More