You have been assigned a mixed ability group of students.?

Question

What would you expect the lesson strategies to encompass in delivering their instruction?

Answer 1

Any group of students you are assigned will be mixed ability. You will need to level your instruction to meet the needs of your students. Depending on the age of your students and the subject you're teaching, set up flexible groups so that you can work with students on their level.

This takes a lot of planning and work on your part to train your students to work independently or in centers while you work with a small group.

Sometimes the groups can be mixed higher and lower levels and sometimes they might be pure ability driven, depending on the concepts that are being taught.

If there is a wide range of abilties, small group instruction may be the most effective way of teaching information.

Remember that the higher level students should not be given extra, meaningless work because they get done quicker than others. All work should be meaningful and relevant. Work for lower level students should be geared towards them as well, and should encourage higher level thinking skills.

It's important not to make the lower kids feel stupid and the higher ones feel superior - changing the groups aroung will help this.
Good luck!

Answer 2

Practically every class you will ever get will be mixed ability. You should plan lessons/work that allows students to work at their own levels. E.g. has some core/base stuff for the lower ability students and some room for extension/individual exploration for the more advanced. Group work, based on ability level can work well. Divide the class into 4 groups and assign diff work, you work with one group, then rotate. Pairing a high-ability student with a lower-ability student is another useful option. They key is to steer away from closed tasked like worksheets that expect the same from all students.

Answer 3

Aim for the middle of the group. Most of my teaching years I have had groups like these. You also may assign the higher end students to be paired up with the middle and lower achievers. This approach of peer tutoring has worked for me.

Answer 4

naturally, you have to deliver the best irrespective of the levels of abilities in the group, with some room for more instructions towards the end of the session.