Workshop Mixed ability classes

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Workshop Mixed ability classes

Workshop Mixed ability classes

Workshop 

Teaching mixed ability

26 July 2023

Heterogeneous = not similar

What are we going to talk about today? 

1. Let's get to know (something about) each other. 
2. How are we a mixed ability group?
   
3. The conditions
4. Tweak 5 activities
5. Discuss your ideas

1. Let's get to know (something about) each other. 

You have 90 seconds to think about an answer to the following question:

A proud moment in my teaching career has been when ....... 

Answer the question using one or two sentences.

A proud moment in my teaching career has been when ....... 

2. What is a mixed ability class?

Be careful with words like weak, low or slow students. 

It all depends on how you look at it.

docs.google.com

2. In what ways are we a mixed ability group?
(in what ways are we different?)

The 5 conditions you need

1. Teach them together 

(as one group)

1. Take your time

The 5 conditions you need

1. Teach them together 

(as one group)

2. Teach them together as one group.

The 5 conditions you need

1. Teach them together 

(as one group)

3. Create an atmosphere that is safe and comfortable so learning can take place

How do you create an atmosphere that is safe and comfortable so learning can take place?

The 5 conditions you need

1. Teach them together 

(as one group)

4. Let go of total control. You will be surprised. 

Do you have spotify?

The 5 conditions you need

1. Teach them together 

(as one group)

5. Tell your students what you expect from them and repeat, repeat, repeat.  

Your turn - Tweak

Some ideas on how to tweak.

• Vary the topic, what you ask of them, classroom organisation (solo/pair/group), materials.
• Keep students busy, use open ended questions and tasks, use HOT, personalize. 
• Limit by time, allow them to change the order, give your minimum expectations.
• Personalize to own experience, opinion, story. 

Work in pairs or groups of 3

• Take 5 activities that you will use during upcoming classes.
• Discuss and brainstorm about how you can TWEAK the activity by changing the 'rules' of the game so that you can cater for students with different abilities. Come up with at least 3 different ways per activity. 
• Keep it simple

Instead of saying ....

Answer question 1 to 15

say .... 

Answer at least 10 questions, you can choose which ones.

Instead of saying ....

Do this exercise

say .... 

Do as much as you can in 10 minutes 

Instead of saying ....

Work by yourself

say .... 

You can work by yourself or with a partner 

Add

a 

rule

1. Do you have a smartphone? 
2. In your opinion, which company makes the best smartphones?
   
3. What is the biggest benefit to having/owning a smartphone?
   
4. What is the biggest danger that comes from owning a smartphone?
   
5. How long do you spend every day looking at your smartphone?
   
6. Aside from making calls, what do you use your smartphone for?
   
7. How old should a child be before they receive a smartphone?
   
8. Should smartphones be banned from schools?
   
9. Can smartphones be used in education? In what way?
   
10. Do you ever pay for things using a smartphone? Are you comfortable with this?
    
11. What is the most interesting app you have ever used on a smartphone?
    
12.  Do you find it worrying that your smartphone tracks your location?
13.  Do you worry that someone could spy on you through your smartphone camera?
14.   How do you feel when a friend or relative looks at their phone while speaking to you?
15.   Do you think smartphones will get bigger or smaller in future?
16.  What do you think smartphones will be able to do in ten years' time?

What is important?

Work in pairs or groups of 3

• Take 5 activities that you will use during upcoming classes.
• Discuss and brainstorm about how you can TWEAK the activity by changing the 'rules' of the game so that you can cater for students with different abilities. Come up with at least 3 different ways per activity. 
• Keep it simple

Name your best idea.

Thank you for joining today

As a team, you have so much knowledge between you. 

Make sure you share your best practices with others so that you can learn from each other.