For my course development assignment, I have chosen the topic of math for grade 5 students, focusing on a division unit. In grade 5, the major learning outcomes are being able to recall division facts up to a dividend of 81 and demonstrating an understanding of division (3-digit by 1-digit) with and without remainders.
I have chosen this topic because there is a high level of absenteeism in my school. When students miss school regularly, they miss out on foundational mathematical skills needed for success in life and school, such as place value, multiplication, and division. I think this content will work well in a blended (or online) format as it will help to reduce the learning gaps created by absenteeism. Instead of students attending school sporadically, feeling lost and disconnected from the math content being taught on that particular day, students who are chronically absent can experience some form of continuity of learning, thus hopefully increasing their success, confidence, and engagement in learning. Depending on the students’ level of absenteeism, it could be used as a math station to catch-up on missed lessons, it could be used as catch-up practice at home for those with access to technology, or it could be used as a stand-alone program for the one or two students who attend seldomly (attending once every couple of weeks). It could also be used in a blended format during regular math class time. Overall, by creating the content in an online format that is continually accessible to all students will help to create a more responsive learning environment and help to address the impacts of absenteeism.
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Hi Sarah,
I will also be teaching grade 5 this fall! It is my first time teaching grade 5 and I’m really looking forward to change! I would love to do some resource sharing if your up to it! I am creating a grade 5 ELA unit on Identity for my module and would definitely share if your interested. I look forward to reading more about your Math module!
Hi Megan! I would definitely be interested in resource sharing! You’ll love grade 5 (I’m biased though–it’s one of my favourite grades!)!
Hi Sarah! Absenteeism seems to be an issue all round. I have also had students miss a week to two weeks at a time for various reasons. I have also relied on technology to fill the gaps created by students being away. Lessons are regularly posted on Teams for students to access if they can or to draw upon when they return to school. This seems to be the new way of meeting the needs of our students.
I am not sure this is the best way to address this ongoing and growing issue, but it is a way for us as teachers to help provide the continuity of learning you talked about in your post. Our readings have spoken a lot about accessing learning anywhere and at any time – which seems to be needed by our students who are chronically absent. You proposal for math sounds great and offers multiple entry points for students to learn and stay connected to the classroom and the learning. What format are you planning on using? What other tech resources are you thinking about?
Hi Tammy! I agree that although technology does not address the reasons for absenteeism it does at least lessen its impacts. Addressing the barriers that impact a student’s ability to come to school is definitely something educators need to take into consideration.
I plan on using Google Classroom as that is what my division uses. We will use various Google Drive apps and online resources (virtual manipulatives and games). I am sure I will add to this list as I learn more about all the cool technology stuff out there!
I think that is going to work out great for you!! Do all your students have access to technology at home or will that be a limitation? What apps do you think you’ll include in the process? I do appreciate how open and flexible you seem to be! It sounds like it will be a success. Good luck!
Hi Raegyn,
Many of the students do not have access to technology at home so that is definitely a limitation to consider. I am designing the course to be completed within class time, but students would be allowed to access the course outside of school hours if they have access to appropriate technology.
Hi Sarah,
I just finished teaching Grade 5 as part of my split class this past year. I really enjoyed teaching this age group, but wish I could have either focused just on one grade level or been given the opportunity of teaching the same grade for another year. I feel like it is hard to fully dive into a grade when it is the first time teaching it, a lot of trial & error tends to take place. However, with it being the year coming off of covid restrictions & being pulled between two grades, I found I used blended learning quite frequently with their learning. I would have loved to dive in deeper & find ways to use it in an even more engaging way, but it definitely helped get me through! I hope you find your creation useful for the years to come.
– Kennedy