Adaptation Strategies and Routines

These are the strategies/routines I hope to continue in future years with a connection to adaptation.

Instruction-how

*Questions. After teaching a backward design unit I found myself asking more questions than just delivering information. This gave the students control and the opportunity to share what they know and for them to ask more questions.

*Cooperative learning activities. I want to prepare my students with the skills it takes to work together. This takes a lot of work with my students but they love working together. We have worked a lot on how to problem solve with other students and how to appropriately react to certain situations. I will definitely continue to use cooperative learning in the future.

Discipline-what

*Use big ideas. I have just started using this strategy with my units but I can see its power and benefit. It helps build those connections between my lessons.

*Use real world examples. Using real world examples in my classroom has made my content more relevant to my students. They feel more connected and have more to add when they feel connected to the curriculum.

Environment-relationships

*Teaching the social curriculum. This has always been an emphasis in my classroom but this year I have focused a lot on cooperative learning. We have focused on empathy and being aware of what others are feeling.

* Ownership and sharing. Our classroom should be a place where students are discovering and exploring. If they need certain tools or materials they should feel comfortable using what we have. I need to instill in them a sense of ownership of our classroom and respect for out things. I will continue to teach them real life skills like manners and what to do when you need something.

Assessment

 *Provide time for discussion and questions. Students should have the ability to share what they have done and think out loud about what we have learned. Usually lessons are rushed but when I leave time for reflection and discussion my students tend to make more connections and think deeper about our learning.

* Use a variety of assessments. When I’ve used different assessments students were able to show me more about what they know more than what they would have been able to with traditional assessments.