Many times I find myself focusing on how to help students who are struggling. It's the main reason I decided to flip my 9th grade math class a few years ago. However, I have had an interesting situation develop with my advanced students.
After trying flipped mastery at the beginning of the year and realizing it wasn't working (read Week 3 Reflection: Regrouping) I returned to the flipped format I was using last year. Prior to our winter break we gave students an assessment over the Linear Functions unit. Unfortunately, the results were extremely disappointing. Most students failed, so after break we regrouped, reviewed, and re-assessed. However, I had 13 students (out of about 100) who scored 80% or higher. I just couldn't stomach the thought of making them review and reassess when they clearly understood the concepts. So I gave them a choice; you can review and reassess with the rest of the class OR you can move ahead and work at your own pace. ALL 13 students took me up on the idea!
Luckily I have most everything ready from last year's flipped Algebra 1 class and only need to tweak a few things and stay ahead of the most eager student. I have them sitting in a group together, helping one another and coming to me when they have questions. After they check the practice assignment for each concept against the answer key they must meet with me briefly. From time to time they will pause (of their own free will) and be my "classroom experts" and help other students. I have a few who are very eager and will be ready for the final exam for this trimester in the next week or so. The trimester doesn't end until the beginning of March!
Our typical path for students is Algebra 1 in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th, Algebra 2 in 11th and a senior math class (either Trig, Stats, or Consumers Math). If students were identified in 7th grade as advanced they took Algebra 1 in 8th grade which put them on course to take AP Calculus their senior year. I have spoken with a few of the most advanced students who are progressing rapidly about the possibility of not only finishing the Algebra 1 curriculum this year but getting started on Geometry. This gives them the opportunity to advance through our curriculum and be able to take AP Calculus their senior year (Geometry, Algebra 2, and Trig are only 2 trimesters, Algebra 1 is 3). Thus far the several students I have spoken with about this opportunity are excited for the challenge!
