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Using the National Curriculum
The work of a Basic Skills tutor today is very different
to that of tutors ten years ago. We have more resources available
to us, although we still help students write postcards and
use cheque-books. Our understanding of how we teach even
these relatively simple tasks has greatly improved due to
the introduction of the National Curriculum.
However, teaching mixed ability groups has always been problematic.
Historically, we taught on an individual basis, with the
tuition revolving largely around worksheets. Tutors today
are encouraged to develop group lessons which are both creative
and interactive. The Curriculum offers a wealth of practical
ideas but this remains one of the most challenging aspects
of the work.
For those of you who are feeling weighed down by the Curriculum
with its references and burdened by the need for differentiation
in very mixed classes, here are ten tips to help any tutors
teaching mixed ability groups.
Use ideas from the Curriculum
Use ideas in the Curriculum to help you prepare activities
on a theme or topic that can be used at a variety of levels.
This should be something that is familiar to the whole group.
For example, television soaps, advertisements or supermarket
shopping are all good themes. Some themes can be used for
literacy and numeracy students in the same group.
Curriculum references
Use just two or three curriculum references to summarise
the aims for the group in the session. Take these from the
middle level for the group. Stretch the less able learners.
Provide opportunities for the more advanced learners to consolidate
their knowledge and share it with the group. Refer to the
Sample Activities listed on the right-hand pages of the Curriculum.
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