MOntague

This week, our class is working on the number grids again. The context is the same for the most part except for the fact that students are working primarily on their own. There is a small group (that struggles) that is working with my MT or I while others work independently.

            While I was working with this group, I had the opportunity to work with one of our lowest student (both academically as well as behaviorally). The work that this student did was a circle in every box in the number grid. No matter what I would try to do, I couldn’t get her to fill out the numbers. I even tried to trace the numbers for her but she would not trace over the numbers.

            I think that this was a bad assignment for her because we know that this student cannot even write her name. She has shown no signs of being able to write her numbers either therefore, giving her a blank grid from numbers 1-50 is not a meaningful task for this student.
            I think that this is a case of giving an assignment that is not in reach of the students’ ability. Her attitude of not even wanting to try could easily be because of the fact that she feels like there is no way she could have succeeded. I think she needs to be given something more on her level. For example, maybe just a grid of numbers 0-9. First she needs to be able to write these numbers. Then if she can see for herself that she is capable of doing so, she will be able to write the other numbers. As of now, she cannot even make the correct movements with her pencil to write the numbers. So my next step is to set up centers that correlate to different students levels. I plan on having her at the center that students practice their number strokes in paint filled baggies.