Small Group Instruction Vs Whole Class Instruction
Why do teachers at VPCHS use more small group/one-on-one instruction than whole-class/direct instruction?
Due to the limited number of teachers (3) at VPCHS, the influence of the “2008-2011 Graduation Requirements and Minimum College Admission “A-G” Requirements” on The Master Schedule and the necessity to provide experiences beyond the textbook and the classroom, classes need to be scheduled where teachers have multiple subjects (3-6),during all class periods (3 per day). As a result, teachers use whole class instruction twice a week with students, who are working on the same course, the same standard(s), at the same time, during that particular period, while the other students work on their assignments independently or in small groups.
According to The Master Schedule our average class size ranges from 19 to 29, depending on attrition, during the school year.
We try to keep classes as pure as possible. However, the academic, behavioral and social needs of our students drive what we can reasonably do academically and at the same time limit-set their behavior and address their social needs to get them on task and keep them there, during a class period, for their reasons.
For example, if a student needs two senior English classes, and we have only one period blocked out for senior English, then the student’s second senior English class is scheduled during a period with 9th, 10th and/or 11th graders. So, what we may have is four (4) English courses during one period. If direct instruction occurs during that period, for the senior, it focuses only on the English standard(s) and
Expected Student Learning Results (ESLRs) pertinent to that student’s course.