Boise, Idaho
The other day I was visiting with our daughter, Melissa. She’s a second grade teacher, a very good second grade teacher in my humble opinion. 🙂
Melissa was talking about how she and her fellow second grade teachers level the children for reading and math into four different groups.
I asked her what the benefits of leveling are. She explained in highly technical teacher terms that the children learn more.
And then she went on to say that the children are also VERY comfortable when they are with others in their own level. I asked her to share an example of that comfortableness.
I was skeptical because I remember in second grade that there being only two levels of reading groups: Robins and Bluebirds.
Everyone KNEW that robins weren’t as pretty or as good as bluebirds, so it was better to be in the bluebird group. Being a robin was frowned upon, especially by the nuns. They virtually sang the bluebird’s name and spat out the robin’s name as they called us to our groups.
But apparently things are different now. There’s no judging based on leveling; it just is what it is…
And the amazing thing is how comfortable Melissa’s students are in their leveled groups.
They toot in front of one another. Yep, toot… And they they all giggle together about it. No judgments.
And it doesn’t matter which group they are in. A student can be in the higher math group and the lower reading group. As long as the students are in their OWN group, tootings are allowed and accepted.
But they don’t freely toot when they are in their own homeroom even though they spend more time with their homeroom classmates.
I just find that fascinating.
They are most comfortable within a certain level with their true peers, but they hold back when with a non-leveled group.
Made me start wondering what levels I’m most comfortable with in various areas of my life. Like in pickleball, I’m most comfortable with lower-level advanced players. But I’m not sure I’m comfortable enough to toot while playing…
Well, at least not intentionally. 🙂
That is fascinating. Love Jane Goodall moments!
You’ve got some serious insomnia going on, Carol. 🙁
The best leveling I have seen is where the 5th grade students were given pretests in Math before a new topic was introduced. Based on the pretest on that material, the students would be separated into different ability groups. The beauty of it was that some kids were great at algebraic topics, but needed extra help in fractions or vice versa. That allowed for more targeted help where help was needed and extensions for those at mastery level already on that particular topic.
In tennis, I play better with those who are at or preferably are slightly above my level. It is easier to play up. If I play down, then my own skills seem to retreat.
That is not necessarily analogous to school. If you have to explain to others, it makes you really think about it to explain it properly rather than just instinctually know it.
The math leveling does sound intriguing and effective, Joanne. In pickleball I’m the same way you are in tennis, but sometimes it’s beneficial to play down. Today I practiced specific shots; it was very helpful.
You are right Kathy. I think I tend to have more time to think before shots, and I am more likely to make mistakes. Which proves that I am not that good a player.
When looking at Pickleball ratings, the key word for higher ratings is “consistency”. Whenever I see that, I know I’ve got a long way to go…