MOST DIFFICULT FIRST (MDF)
§ When giving your class an assignment, start by determining which items represent the most difficult examples of the entire task.
§ Generally, five problems represent a reasonable number for MDF.
§ Any or all students may choose to complete the MDF.
§ If a student gets four out of five or five out of five MDF problems correct, the student is finished with that assignment.
§ The student then has “bought” time to work on alternative activities or assignments.
§ If a student attempts MDF and get less than four problems correct, the student knows that he/she is to complete the remainder of the assignment.
§ No penalty is given for attempting MDF other than having to complete the entire assignment.
§ MDF for high ability students may be different than MDF for average and low ability learners.
§ Rather than having a posted list of MDF for each ability level, use index cards for lower ability students who are attempting lower ability MDF problems.
§ Establish classroom rules for completing alternative assignments so there are no disruptions in class.
§ Consider having these two rules (in addition to others you may already have or need): If you are completing assignments which are different from the rest of the class, you may not (1) draw attention to yourself, or (2) bother (bug) anyone else.
§ If a student successfully completes MDF then jumps up and does the dance of joy, he/she gets to complete the remainder of the assignment since one of the above rules has been compromised.
§ Likewise, if a student comments openly that his/her neighboring student is completing “easier” MDF problems, and “That’s not fair!", the complaining student gets to complete all of the assignment since the rules have been compromised.