Bridges Blog Archive for Differentiation

In Educational Leadership, June 2011, you'll find a fascinating article, "Let Me Learn My Own Way," describing how students approach mathematics differently, depending on their Jungian learning style.

If you recall, I discussed the first 13 sessions in Unit 3 last newsletter. If you are not this far yet, leave out the Fall/Winter Character Quilt and make it your goal to finish the unit by winter break. If you can see that this will be impossible, give me a call so we can figure out a plan together.

Calculation Nation^®, developed by The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, offers yet another challenge for upper elementary and middle grade students. Through this free, on-line resource, students play games against themselves or other on-line opponents from around the world as they practice math skills from curricular standards and the NCTM Focal Points.

Over the next several weeks, we will continue to highlight resources for use with gifted students.

Over the next several weeks, the blog will feature a series of articles on meeting the needs of advanced learners. We begin with an article written by Crystal Davis, who is starting her 3rd year as K-12 Math TOSA for Tumwater School District in Tumwater, Washington. She also taught algebra, algebra II, and precalculus for four years at Black Hills High School.

Meeting the Needs of Advanced Learners

by Crystal Davis

As you know, Bridges in Mathematics advocates building a safe, positive community of learners in every classroom. Students are more apt to share their thinking, listen carefully to others, disagree with an idea not a person, and collaborate in positive and productive ways when they feel part of something bigger than themselves that they view as beneficial and good. Jefferson County Public Schools has taken buillding learning communities to a different level as described in a recent Edutopia article at www.edutopia.org/louisville-sel-social-emotional-learning.