Co-constructing a Personalized Math Class by Jay Lingo

Co-constructing a Personalized Math Class by Jay Lingo

“Student Agency boils down to students having a voice in the classroom…”

  • Laurie Manville & Dr. Alva Lefevre

Towards the end of the school year 2022-2023, my class roster started to grow.  Students that chose to withdraw from IB classes were transferred to our Math class feeling defeated. It was painful to witness how they don’t fully realize that curriculums are not one-size-fits-all and there are many opportunities for them to be successful given the right placement. Our class was mainly seen as credit recovery, a tick mark to complete the required units for graduation. It was a hard sell to keep them motivated and to top it all off, our first order of business was to administer a diagnostic test and discuss their challenges. That’s when I knew something had to change. 

I had an ambitious goal; to co-construct a Math class from scratch with our seniors. My students and I brainstormed,co-planned, and questioned what they wanted to gain from a Math class.  This reflection was a healing process as they slowly realized that the respective pathways they were choosing (sailing, theater, social work, etc.) did not require extensive math skills.

Creating this course became my passion project over the summer break. After my students finish a task, I always ask them  “Is this something you’re proud of?” This very same prompt resonated in my head – I wanted to build something that I will be proud of and that my students  are proud of participating in. I wanted to create a robust and rigorous class wherein they felt challenged but not debilitated or bored while seeing the value and connection on the units we discuss throughout the year. I reached out to former colleagues and spent some of my afternoons reading Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Peter Liljedahl. I must admit that there were days when I thought to myself, “What did I get myself into?” Fostering a new routine while building, learning, and editing materials was quite overwhelming. 

While difficult, there were many good days when my class was engaged in a roundtable discussion on emergency funds or the effects of inflation.  On other days, they were engrossed in computing compound interest and arguing why credit cards are a bad idea over personal loans. Our course covered Basics of Money, Credit, Investing, and Personal Beliefs Influencing Money Decisions.

On our last week of instruction, one of my students wrote in her reflection – “These past two years learning Financial Literacy with Mr Lingo has been the best math experience I have ever had and I am so grateful.” This just pierced through my heart. It took me back to our first days together when my students were enveloped with anger, disappointment, or self-doubt. 

Now, they walked away engaged with pride and prepared for the years beyond high school. 

Here are my key takeaways from this experience.

The Power of Choice

Our course was anchored to what they wanted to gain from it. Co-constructing a class gave our students an instant buy-in which was challenging to achieve in many of the classes. Knowing that this might not be possible in several contexts but giving our students power over which activity they wanted to do next was important. Did they want to spend the next lesson reviewing or give options in taking down notes. The power of choice is a nod to our students that they are in control and clearing the path for them to take full ownership of their learning. 

Everybody wants to do well

A lot of our students came to our class and said, “I don’t really care about this class.” or “I am not even trying.” This may stem from pre-empting all the anxieties and negative emotions from failure. Once students see pockets of success, they will be invested. Make sure to celebrate these successes no matter how big or small. Highlight a student’s project when discussing the rubrics. Synthesize a student’s solution when revising the test. It’s through these moments that they regain their confidence and slowly we validate that they truly care about their growth and development. 

Finding Balance

Lastly, the key is finding the right balance. Our instructional decisions should revolve around finding the appropriate challenge for our students. Design tasks and evaluations that are not too easy that they will be bored but also create scaffolds that will not be too difficult wherein they would freeze and be overwhelmed. This may entail constant changes in the curriculum such as providing extension questions, reteaching of previous concepts, visual representations for understanding and many more. When the challenge is balanced, the motivation will not be sacrificed. 

As I write this article, I am pondering again if this is something I am proud of? 100%! This professional milestone was worth every minute of preparation and I would like to give a huge shout out to the class of 2024 for creating a classroom that brings out the best in each other.  

Financial Literacy Reflections:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wofMXYTGCyLlX7oWS9ZRBrghrzDzTWGN?usp=sharing

Raw Reflections:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DhT4xMrs–ykByf-IyvQP9WDm037MwhVu97o00JMqqU/edit?usp=sharing

Inclusively Inspired with Lori Boll

Hello SENIA Peeps,

Last week, I had the privilege of virtually attending The Brookings Institute Symposium on Inclusion and Education Systems Transformation. Inclusive leaders from around the world gathered to address a critical issue:

“Despite global policy efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for equitable education, no nation has succeeded in creating truly inclusive classrooms and school communities on a large scale. While some countries have made significant strides in meeting the needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), nearly every nation has fallen short in developing schools as settings for full social inclusion. This requires going beyond physical inclusion to create accessible and meaningful learning environments for all, including children with IDD.”

Five adults in chairs sitting agains a blue screen with white writing with the title of the symposium

World Leaders Discuss Inclusion

As international school leaders, educators, and families, we must prioritize this concern. Sustainable Development Goal 4 demands that schools be places where all children matter equally, participate fully, and develop the skills, knowledge, beliefs, and practices they need to thrive.

Becoming fully inclusive is not easy, but it can be achieved. The conference offered these recommendations: First, we need a mindset shift which is embraced school-wide and community-wide. Second, we must dismantle the silos in education, and encourage synergy in our roles. Third, according to Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, “The central impediment to implementing effective inclusive education is the capabilities of a trained teacher workforce. You cannot ask teachers to become ‘includers’ in their schools or to manage children with complex learning needs without training.” Mr. Shriver also believes we need to empower young people as agents of change. Our students want inclusive schools. Are we ready to listen to their voices?

At SENIA, we endorse these points and strive to support schools on their inclusive journey by facilitating mindset changes, helping to create systems of support that involve the entire school community, and providing professional development opportunities through our conference and coursework. As well, our SENIA Youth are emerging as a strong voice advocating for change and will be our inclusive leaders of tomorrow.

With Sustainable Development Goal 4 as our guiding principle, we call on our schools to become more inclusive. We don’t expect you to do it alone. SENIA is here to support you.

Lori Boll

 

If you’d like to watch some of this symposium, check out this link. 

SENIA International Honored with IFIP Global Inclusion Award

SENIA International Honored with IFIP Global Inclusion Award

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Hoang Minh Duong May 2023 SENIA World Changer Award Recipient

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We are pleased to recognize Sarah for her exceptional contributions to Global Neurodiverse Families, a vital support network for families navigating neurodiversity. Sarah embodies the qualities of compassion, dedication, and resilience, making a profound impact on our community.

Through her tireless efforts, Sarah has established a network where families can connect, share experiences, and provide mutual support in a safe and welcoming environment. This sense of community is invaluable, ensuring that no one feels alone in their journey.

Sarah’s influence extends beyond our local community. She has actively advocated for broader awareness and education surrounding neurodiversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for Vietnamese educators to enhance their understanding in this important area. Her commitment has touched the lives of teachers, specialists, and families alike, solidifying her role as a cornerstone of our initiative.

We are grateful for Sarah’s unwavering dedication and her exemplary model of inclusivity and diversity. Her work continues to inspire us all.

Congratulations to Sarah Devotion Garner as this month’s SENIA World Changer Award winner!

Hear about Sarah’s dedication to inclusion here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dd_O2JHi7wwMhQSHBIxFGOTu4gm5Cb6v/view

Korok Biswas April 2023 SENIA World Changer Award Recipient

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Korok Biswas is India’s first ever dance performer with down syndrome to be credited in India’s Book of Records. From an early age, Korok and his parents believed with love and support that Korok would pursue his passion of dance.  He trained hard and had learned that through perseverance and dedication he could achieve his goals.  His school, the Noble Mission of South Calcutta, supported him with developing patience, how to adapt to the world around him and believed in his performance talents. Korok has achieved much recognition for his dance and his work supporting people with down syndrome in India and around the world.  Here are some of his achievements: Indian National Award in Art & Culture, International Dance Council, UNESCO Best Fighter Dancer, and Down Syndrome International Self Advocate.  

Korok is taking the Indian dance performance scene by storm and in the process, inspiring future generations of people with down syndrome to follow their dreams.  Representation matters! 

Congratulations to Korok Biswas as the winner of this month’s SENIA World Changer Award!

To learn more about Korok’s journey: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NjK2jd9Yf4U6HACu2QOQzjCY90zTC1YW/view

Kan Fook Keong March 2023 SENIA World Changer Award Recipient

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Kan Fook Keong is a special education teacher in Sabah, Malaysia. Despite originating in Selangor that is more well-developed, Kan chose to stay teaching at a vocational school in the rural areas of Sabah, the least developed state, since 2012. He has guided the special needs learners comprising those with learning disorders as well as those with hearing impairments in many disciplines like sports and painting. During the pandemic, he discovered an alternative to students presenting their projects in innovation contests in sign language. As a result of his effort, he was able to train a team of hearing-impaired students to participate in several innovation contests and earned many medals. 

Kan is dedicated to the well being of his students and started a food project that prepares vegan meals for the students to promote healthier lifestyle with minimal environmental harm. He did this after learning that many of his students were either vegetarians or vegans.

Kan has been instrumental in supporting the dreams and passions of the students at Keningau Vocational College.  He is indeed a World Changer!

Congratulations to Kan Fook Keong for being a SENIA World Changer!

Sarah Anne Bulman January 2023 SENIA World Changer Award Recipient

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Sarah has always had a unique perspective on life. Her neurodiversity enables her to see beauty and value in unexpected ways. Sarah manages to find meaningful ways to share her thoughts, feelings, and part of herself through Art. All her paintings have elements of inclusivity to it and seeing her artworks make people see a different perspective to life, even the darker things, because Sarah finds beauty in them. She gives voice to the powerless and shows the beauty of the forgotten. Sarah is very reflective and highly empathetic and cares about all living beings, even the smallest creatures.

Congratulations to Sarah Anne Bulman as the recipient of the SENIA World Changer Award January 2023!

Here is a link to Sarah’s photos and artwork:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p6CAh4t44Pezf1ybcadHv6HoF002RQD3/view?usp=sharing

Lana Abon October 2022 SENIA World Changer Award Recipient

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Lana Abon is a special education teacher in the rural area of Sabah, a Malaysian island state. She teaches students with hearing impairments and students with learning disorders. She has successfully trained three special needs students to qualify for Asian English Olympics, the most prestigious English language competition in Asia, in the storytelling category. The three students became the first special needs learners to ever compete in the event in 2021. This unprecedented achievement has broken another barrier for special needs learners in the region which proved that such learners can compete in events that are often reserved for non-disabled learners. The news on these students’ participation in that renowned competition became viral on the local social media pages which inspired many educators. She regularly organizes field trips for her students to travel around Sabah which she managed to finance via fundraising activities that she initiated for this specific purpose.

Congratulations to Lana Abon as the SENIA World Change Award winner for October!

Her students’ storytelling videos: https://youtu.be/9QqLsH2Hfks

Alexius Ignatius September 2022 SENIA World Changer Award Recipient

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Alexius Ignatius was the first Malaysian to win a gold medal at an international art festival with his animated tale. The monthly art festivals hosted by Festival Bridges headquartered in Europe was the one of the most competitive art contests in the world and Malaysia only managed to clinch bronze or silver medals in the past. Hence, his gold medal was considered a breakthrough feat and what made it more astounding was that it was achieved by a special needs learner. Alexius was a regular volunteer that took an active role in assisting his school teams in many competitions and activities. He offered to be on the prop crew for the school theater which eventually won the district contest and managed the softball team that placed second in the district tournament. He led the special needs learners’ fundraising food kiosk to finance their field trips.  

Congratulations to Alexius Ignatius as September’s SENIA World Changer Award Winner!

Listen to Alexius’ animated tale here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O66kqOfKlpA

Avyasvina Istiniza Anak Unong August 2022 World Changer Award Recipient

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Avyasvina Istiniza Anak Unong is a special educational needs educator who has played a major role in training the special needs learners at her school to partake in various art competitions through alternative means.  This has resulted in unprecedented achievements from the student body and  drew national interest. She trained the students with hearing loss to perform monologue and poetry in sign language and helped students with specific learning disorders to be voice actors for animated storytelling. These students earned various medals and prizes in online and remote art and literary festivals. They have been invited to perform at several events including a national convention focusing on inclusion of the special needs community. The impact of her work went beyond her school as the students’ performance videos were shared widely and one performance video was shared by one of the country’s education leaders as well as the ministry of education on social media.

Congratulations to Avyasvina Istiniza Anak Unong as August’s SENIA World Changer Award recipient.

Here is one of her student’s performances: https://youtu.be/wCpXe-Mx-Q4