Remediation and Enrichment Circles: Data Driven Activities

Students have varying levels of success on assessments, this may come from a lack of understanding, a lack of studying, even a lack of motivation. So how do we as teachers make sure that every student is successful? Once students have mastered the content do we provide ways for them to find enrichment based on interest not more work? As teachers we need to assess of course, but can we get just as much data from observations as we can from written or formal assessments? I say yes. It takes a solid game plan but for me one-minute check-in's, reflection, and remediation and enrichment circles are the best strategies to make sure every student is mastering the content.

Every week students meet with me for at least one-minute to check-in: ask questions, share ideas, design a personal plan for enrichment or remediation. I have students reflect a lot, either through journal writing, blog posting, or collaborative groups. I have students play 4 corners a lot with basic topics and then get into groups based on their answers. In each corner of the room I place an A, B, C, D and an answer to a particular question. Sometimes all of them are wrong, sometimes all of them are correct, and everything in between. But the reason for this activity is to get them a) up and moving, go to the corner that has the right answer. Usually a split between 2 but if I make it challenging enough an even 4 way split occurs  b) then I have then in these groups sit and discuss/reflect on why they believe that is correct. Usually it doesn't take long until they are all in one group united. But, I identify very quickly those who need remediation or enrichment.

Those who got the right answer and can explain it accurately, move to stations where either they are creating something, reading and sharing an article, and sometimes watching a short video on a related topic. Those who struggled with the content are sent to stations with matching games, vocabulary review, and even diagrams and review packets. These students are also required to come sit down with me in a "follow-up" chat. This is all happening simultaneously so students are not singled out. Lastly, we all come together as a class and I do another 4 corners activity, same topic different question and make sure that every student understands and chooses the correct answer. They usually do. These I call remediation and enrichment circles.

From day one I have always explained to my students that some topics will come naturally and easily for them, while others will present a challenge. We will organize these remediation and enrichment circles because we want to make sure as a community we are successful. Sometimes you will be in the remediation circle and other times you will be in the enrichment circle but always at the end you will feel confident that you can do well on the test and that you understand the unit information. Listening and walking around the room-observing is my best tool. Having them one-on-one check-in allows them to listen and reflect. Together these lead us to the "circles" and then ultimately to successful completion of the unit.