2018 Education

Page 8 2018 EDUCATION MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS MARCH 1, 2018 Student to student help Time and again in the blended environment, Mrs. Burke sees “those who have caught on to something are automatically helping those who didn’t get it.” Students see “Oh, she’s struggling,” and respond “I will help her.” Both teachers are strongly impressed seeing help that is offered to classmates without being asked. The students “are just very willing to work together.” Socially Mrs. Kessinger observed that socially, these students make a lot of gains that they would not normally make in a regular classroom. They are exposed to kids who are more mature than themselves and less mature, but maturity isn’t always by age. Sometimes her second graders are more mature than third graders “and they served as a role model.” It’s also good to see relationships form where a second grader and third grader become best friends, and that wouldn’t happen if they weren’t in the same class. Both blended classroom teachers are energetic, enthusiastic and their deep passion for teaching shines through. Clearly supportive of the blended classroom, they say they’ve seen tremendous growth in their students academically and socially. Each admits it is more work, but both laugh and say, “It’s a lot of fun. Yeah!” Mrs. Irwin said that students at C-EL are tested three times a year for their progress. The blended class students are doing well. When this year comes to an end, each student in a blended class will move up to the next grade level, as normal if ready - kindergartners to first grade and second-graders to third. Will there be blended classes next year at C-EL? She smiles and says, “It depends on what the registration numbers hold.” Above: Mrs. Kerry Burke teaching kindergarten/first grade.