So what is Personalized Learning and how is it different from differentiation and meeting the needs of the whole child? The concepts of Personalized Learning - know your learner, provide voice and choice,flexible groups and space, be data informed, and to utilize technology are what I have always known to simply be good teaching.
I have always been a strong believer in flexible grouping in the area of math. Sometimes students are strong in visual space (geometry) but have more areas of growth for Number Concept or Operations. Knowing your learners in these different domains can help personalize their learning.
CGI or Cognitive Guided Instruction is a natural way to personalize learning. Knowing your learners can guide their next steps as they share the strategies that work best for them. While technology and all its bells and whistles are great, I like to start the year with good old manipulatives...where students can build out their thinking in a kinesthetic way. This then leads to drawing it out on paper, and then of course on a device.
For easy management of manipulatives, I created math tool kits they share with a partner. I like that a variety of math tools is available to provide voice and choice for the students. It also allows them to show more than one strategy without having to write it all out.
Click here if you are interested in the labels I use to keep the tool kits organized. I use the Sterilite Stack and Carry. tubs. You can find them on Amazon but Big Lots and Home Depot sometimes carry them at a lower cost. | Students can personalize their mathematical thinking through CGI. Click here for a set of CGI problems that integrate depth and complexity. |
I like to blend with what I know works with the new. Marcy Cook tiles has been one of my go to's the past 30 years to provide differentiated and personalized math activities that develop critical and flexible thinking. There are activities in every strand of math and all you need are some simple number tiles to get going. If you want to focus on 21st century collaboration and communication, they even have sets that are designed to be completed in pairs. My two favorite apps for personalizing math are ABC Mouse and Front Row.
ABC Mouse is an integrated journey through 2nd grade. Students love the activities, games, and songs. It is a self-paced journey and great for preview and review of what is happening in the classroom. | I've been integrating Marcy Cook tiles for the past 30 years! What better way to personalize math, develop critical and flexible thinking, with a hands-on manipulative activity! | Front Row is my favorite math app. Students take a pretest in each strand, and the app starts them right where they need to be. If they get stuck, there are virtual manipulatives, videos and even a hint to ask a fellow student who just completed that section for help. |