Core Extension

What is it:

-45 minutes

-needs-based small group instruction

-Balance of literacy and math activities

What it shouldn’t be:

-new learning (some exceptions)

-extension of teaching a subject that you ran out of time for (some exceptions)

-busy work

How can it best be utilized:

-Let’s think about the things we have trouble “fitting in” and let’s think about them in 2 ways:

-what you sometimes can’t fit in as a teacher

-independent reading conferences

-word work

-math reinforcement/enrichment

-guided reading groups

-PSSA related work (open-ended responses)

-handwriting

-small group work to challenge students

-what your students sometimes can’t fit in as learners

-independent reading time

-extended writing time

-FIM and/or EDM

-math games (that apply to your unit)

-handwriting application

-independent word work

How do you decide what to offer/instruct during this time:

-Consider the district curriculum

-Consider your school goals

-Consider PSSA content

-Consider your assessment data (MAP)

Keep in mind students’ abilities to be engaged in their activities

(suggestion: two 20-minute blocks of time….students who are there the whole time can get to 2 activities in a day)

Sample:

r  During this time, students rotate through 2 stations.

r  I use a pocket chart to facilitate/organize the stations and to hold the students and myself accountable for the work. (see table below)

r  I use a class list to keep track of the stations throughout a given week.

r  The station choices are on index cards. This way they can easily be switched out and changed.

r  Each student has 2 Popsicle sticks to use to “choose” their stations.

r  I assign students to stations ahead of time (those students who need to meet with me, and also those students who need to be in specific stations. I also always assign who goes on FIM)

r  If students have Popsicle sticks leftover, then they may choose their stations for that day (they can’t choose a station twice, and I limit the amount of students allowed in any one station)

Station Choice / Station #1 (8:50-9:10) / Station #2 (9:10-9:30)
Mrs. Dziedzic / Student A, Student B, Student C / Student D, Student E, Student F, Student G
F.I.M.
(computers) / Tiffany, Lindsay, Madie / Joohee, Baba, Sierra
Ind. Reading
(at desks) / Gabriela, Hannah, Jonathan, Joohee / Nick K., Maddie, Molly, Skyler, Micaela, Matt
Math Games
(on green rug by windows) / Skyler, Julia, Micaela, Megan, Yebin, Molly / Gabriela, Hannah
Writing
(at desks) / Baba, Sierra / Tiffany, Jonathan, Megan
Word Work
(white folder on library rug) / Matt, Nick K. / Lindsay, Yebin, Julia