During the 2022-23 school year, North Elementary is dedicated to addressing the individual student within the classroom, rather than the classroom as one entity. Now more than ever, it has become apparent that adaptive learning strategies catered to each student raise overall success rates, whether this be academically or social-emotionally.
NES teachers are using diagnostic data gathered throughout the year to identify students’ strengths and areas for improvement. This keeps the state academic standards in mind, but also acknowledges that each of our students are fundamentally different; they take in knowledge differently, retain information differently, and communicate with each other differently – which ultimately means their paths to success may look different, as well. By gathering this diagnostic data, our NES teachers are acknowledging our students’ differences and working to bridge any gaps that may occur within the classroom.
“NES teachers are creating lessons to address gaps that may exist for individual students and/or provide enrichment for student growth,” claims Principal Baker. “This is exceptional work and takes the support of many individuals!”
This method is utilizes adaptive teaching, and allows:
- Teachers to receive insight into student needs
- Students to receive real-time feedback
- Decreased risk of students falling behind and/or giving up
- More productive faculty and student interactions
NES also utilizes the Open Court Reading program, which is a comprehensive K-3 reading, writing, and language arts curriculum that utilizes engaging resources, activities, and materials which aid students in developing critical reading and writing strategies. This program helps students boost their general reading achievement and comprehension for beginning readers.
Additionally, NES is excited to receive training in the Science of Reading, a body of research that guides the best practices in reading instruction, reading intervention, and early identification of at-risk readers. Lisa Spetz, district Intervention Specialist, will be training staff on how best to utilize these practices and apply interventions in place to address student gaps.
NES also has many plans to engage our students social-emotionally and actively; NES students – and staff! – are looking forward to the utilization of the rock wall that was purchased and installed in the gym at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Mr. Fortuna, PE teacher, is making plans for this utilization.
As the school year is only just beginning, NES looks forward to what its staff, students, and families can accomplish during the 2022-23 school year. Stay tuned for more updates and information!