Personalizing Learning For Every Student

 Personalized Learning at Luella Middle School

Advisory-Advisory will be the first period of the day. Advisors will work with students to help each student use his/her own personal academic data to identify areas of need so that each student has a plan to use to focus instruction and academic time. Advisors will also work with students to introduce a variety of strategies and skills for students to use to improve academic performance and to be successful collaborative learners. Advisors should be the first point of contact for students or parents with questions. There is no grade for Advisory, but we believe Advisory helps students learn to communicate and collaborate as well as to set goals, plan to reach goals, and monitor progress towards goals.

Direct Instruction- Whole-group Direct Instruction is what most people think of when they think of traditional teaching. This will be used only as one way for students to get the information they need. Small group Direct Instruction will always be an option for students who need the direct interaction with teachers, however, students are expected to work to becoming more independent learners.

DOK- Depth of Knowledge – the complexity or depth of understanding; There are four levels of DOK. The first level involves only basic recall and does not have true understanding. At LMS we want our students to all reach at least level 3, which requires critical thinking to apply concepts learned.

Explicit Vocabulary - When we teach vocabulary explicitly, we choose words that students will need to have a solid grasp on to understand multiple areas of their learning. Explicit teaching of vocabulary enables a teacher to also build strategies within students to attack vocabulary acquisition. Using visuals, semantic, and mnemonic strategies are all strategies that explicit instruction lends itself to.

Formative Assessment –These are assessments/assignments that are given throughout learning to monitor progress and get an understanding of how to adjust instruction

Learner Profile- a place where students and teachers can access information about student learning styles, interests, as well as goal setting and monitoring

PBL – Project Based Learning - Students will have options to explore the curriculum and practice skills through inquiry projects that connect content and skills to real world problems students may encounter in college, career, and life. PBL helps provide the answer to the question “Why do we have to learn this?” This will be more than just a “project.” Students will solve problems and create new ideas through PBL.

Learning Contract/Playlist- a list of assignment options for students. These are broken down into different levels of Depth of knowledge. Level 3 is the goal for all students as this is based on the state standards. Students do not have to complete all activities on the playlist. Playlist activities help students obtain information and knowledge towards mastery of competencies

Retake - Students will be allowed to retake any formative assessment in any class until the playlist is completed. There will be a specific time period for retakes on Summative Assessments. When the assessment is given, teachers will provide students with the specific time window in which retakes will be offered for that assessment. Students must complete some type of remediation either during WIN, through an online program, or during before or after school tutoring before being approved for the retake. After the window for the retake has closed- students will not be allowed to go back and retake that assessment. Amnesty Days will be offered during each grading period when missing work can be turned in without penalty. Students are expected to complete work timely.

Student Agency -  Students are involved in their learning. Students will have opportunities to make decisions about how they learn and demonstrate mastery. Students will also have opportunities to provide feedback to teachers and administration regarding their educational experience. Teachers will guide students in using data to make appropriate data driven decision. Students will be provided guidance in choices they make so they are the best choice for academic success.

Summative Assessment- The goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark

Technology integration- Students will have an opportunity to use technology as a tool in learning. This may be seen in a variety of ways. Students will learn to use technology to support their academic success, but it is not intended to replace interaction and support from teachers. Students will have the option to view instruction through online programs and resources such as USA Test Prep and Odysseyware, to use specific apps and programs related to specific content, and to use technology to solve problems and create displays and products that demonstrate mastery of content. We want students to see technology as more than just a means for contact through social media

WIN- What I Need- This will be time each Monday when students are able to select what classes and specific activity they need extra support. Students look at their data for each of their classes and decide where they need to work.  They are able to choose the subject that they need help in and choose their specific small group.  Teachers will provide support, remediation, or acceleration in each class period based on student needs. T Teachers will have the final approval of student choices to ensure that students are making decisions based on academic need.