March 15, 2016

What does personalized learning look like in classrooms?

As the Next Generation of EPS Strategic Plan advances, change is happening inside classrooms throughout the district. In this edition, read stories about personalized learning and how students identify and pursue their passions. 
Countryside math students choose how they learn best

It started with a "what if..." question.
 
"We had all heard student voices complain that they are always in the same math group," said Mark DeYoung, one of four fifth grade math teachers at Countryside Elementary. "And they would refer to them as the 'smart' group or the 'dumb' group," said colleague Katie Sweeney. No one is sure who on the math team spoke the words, but someone said, "What if we let the students choose their own math group based on how they like to learn."


Connecting with students' interests, Classical MPR expert teaches choral and other lessons


"You are not singers, you are singing athletes," Tesfa Wondemagegnehu (won-dih-MAWG-nee-you) said to a group of ninth grade boys choir students at South View Middle School.
 
Wondemagegnehu, manager of Classical Minnesota Public Radio's (MPR) choral works initiative, worked with South View's eighth grade girls', seventh and ninth grade boys' and sixth grade mixed choirs. However, no group's experience was the same. "He read the room and adjusted what he wanted to work on," said Amy Cherner, choral and vocal music instructor at South View. "He related to each of them through stories and metaphors that were applicable to each group." Read more


Next time on Next Gen News...
See how professional learning opportunities are helping EPS staff evolve the student learning experience in this preview of our upcoming video edition of Next Gen News. 

Edina Public Schools
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