HALEY BRITTINGHAM  ⍚  PORTFOLIO

Due to the alternative teaching methods at the Ampersand school, traditional math classes are missing and students learn as a whole.

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As a whole means, students in different grades learn in the same classroom and usually the same concepts. The students are separated into two pods; one is the primary/transitional pod for 1st - 6th graders and the 7th - 11th graders are in the prep pod.

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When I first met with the fourth through sixth graders and gave them a general math assessment one level below their grade, I quickly realized they were struggling with foundational skills. Upon discussing with the math and science teacher, I learned that students only receive three hours of math instruction per week and often it is not differentiated. She shared that students greatly needed help with skills on their grade level, but since she is the only teacher for two subjects three days a week, it makes it hard for her to meet that need. 

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Thinking about how the students have been learning in this school environment, through mostly project-based learning and technology, I decided to initiate an enrichment program using the FrontRow online platform. The game-like platform meets the needs of students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, students diagnosed with ADHD and those who have high levels of anxiety as it offers them a chance to play while learning at their own pace. They also have learning options which makes it more enjoyable and less stressful. 

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In my previous classrooms, my former students highly enjoyed using FrontRow during their math center time because it was adaptive, explanatory, and highly engaging. With my prior knowledge of Front Row, I felt it would be a great addition to Ampersand. Ampersand students lack foundational skills such as basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts which also causes difficulty with other concepts such as fractions, decimals, and percentages. They are struggling with other concepts such as fractions, decimals, and percentages because they still do not have these foundational skills. 

 

Access to this math opportunity is crucial as it provides them a chance to practice on their skill level daily and progress appropriately without being rushed.