"Supporting lower attaining learners in science" with Adam Higgins @ITeachBoys92 at #ASEconf2021. A refreshing, positive perspective on Friday Period 5 with bottom set year 9. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Adam ( @ITeachBoys92) started out with an alternative take - "I call them 'nurture groups' rather than 'bottom sets".
These classes may be made up of SEND (with and without an EHCP), EAL and "others". Deep down they all want to do well - despite what they might tell you!
Learners will arrive at lessons with certain 'objections' which make it easier for students to not do work - anticipate and remove these as early as possible. @ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
How many times do you have to remind learners to write the title and date once they have arrived? Print it for them - remove their first objection which in turn allows them to access the lesson. @ITeachBoys92 #ASEconf2021
Take away literacy and numeracy pressures - learners are self-conscious about their handwriting. @ITeachBoys92 recommends making booklets.

Don't waste time with sticking in sheets!
Is homework really worth it with lower attaining students? For the amount of effort that is needed to chase outstanding work, hold detentions and supervise final completion will the output be good? Will the learning have taken place? @ITeachBoys92 #ASEconf2021
Don't take anything for granted with lower attaining students. Model everything! If you need to use a calculator show them every step.

@ITeachBoys92 recommends using a visualiser - and not just for home learning. #ASEConf2021
Set feasible goals: "Every question I want you to get half of it right."

Don't just go straight for the answer - you can pick up half of the marks from showing the working. @ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
Promote independent learning. Even in a class of 13 with an LSA you cannot support everybody all of the time. And they won't have you there in an exam! @ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
Use "I, we, you" for modelling.

I'll model,
We'll do one together,
You'll have a go on your own.

@ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
@ITeachBoys92 acknowledges that some people really dislike equation triangles.

But for lower attaining learners - make it as simple as possible! #ASEconf2021
In each task gradually increase what learners will have to do - scaffold for success.

@ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
If you're trying something new and it fails the first time - try again a few more times!

If it fails 4-5 times then you may need to change what you are doing. Maybe try it again with a different class.

@ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
It almost feels like cheating - but it's not! Give your lower attaining learners an advantage by letting them steal the style from another answer.

@ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
Have you ever added something to a to-do list just so you can feel the accomplishment of ticking it off?

Let your lower achieving learners feel that accomplishment and make it part of their routine. Add tick boxes to structure strips. @ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
Don't be afraid of using exam questions with lower achieving learners.

Include questions that everyone can get right. Add multiple choice to lower risk.

Make success part of their routine.

@ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
Get learners to find and fix mistakes to build confidence.

Don't belittle them with knowledge. Allow them to see YOU make mistakes (and correct you).

Play Kahoot! with them and don't win. @ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
@iteachboys: "I don't like the word 'extension'. It just makes a task seem longer. Use 'challenge' instead."

Challenge is more engaging and introduces competitiveness. #ASEConf2021
Make success part of the routine for lower attaining learners.

Great talk - thank you so much @ITeachBoys92 #ASEConf2021
You can follow @kirstypatterson.
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