The DIAL Period ... A Year Later

Differentiated Instruction And Learning

At last night's NMS PTA meeting, there were some questions about what DIAL is.  I talked with the parents about how this is a period we are still working with.  

Last year (11/15/13), I wrote the following post about what DIAL is, and I thought, it might be smart to re-post it so people can see what we are trying to achieve with this block of time.

This past summer, many NMS teachers got together to work on even more ideas on how we can utilize this time with our students.

It is still a work in progress, but we are getting better each day at trying to achieve all the things we need to do in order to be the best school we can be, and the DIAL period is a piece of this vision.

As MCAS scores are coming out, know that the DIAL period is a place where we will be trying to the weaknesses are students have and be another place for us to support their learning.

If you ever have any questions about what we are doing or what we are trying to achieve here at the Nichols, please do not ever hesitate to contact me:  mgeoghegan@middleboro.k12.ma.us

Thanks,

M R Geoghegan

The DIAL Period's Utilization ... So Far at NMS
Originally posted on 11/15/2013

This year has brought much change to the Nichols Middle School experience.  With everything we are doing it is for one purpose:  more academic achievement and success.

With this in mind, we added to our schedule of classes this block of time, which happens three times on the 7-Day cycle, called DIAL.

DIAL stands for Differentiated Instruction and Learning.  The main reasons for integrating this time period into the students' schedule are for enrichment, remediation, and supporting students where they are with their learning.

There is only so much time in the school day.  To be honest, there isn't enough.  With the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as our new curricular framework there is more pressure than ever to meet the needs of a 21st Century education while trying to support our students in the areas they might be struggling.

We have students who are below grade level, at grade level, and above grade level in each and every class.  Teachers attempt to differentiate the best they can with each and every one of their lessons, but there always might be one concept or one student or one situation where it is taking longer than was planned to get the objective learned.

Well, in schools, we have periods, 57 minute periods to be exact here at Nichols, and we have to prepare the students for the MCAS, which incorporates standards from the Commonwealth as well as the CCSS, then for the PARCC, all the while making sure the students are understanding what we are newly teaching them with what they should already comprehend from years past.  It is a daunting task.

But we do it.  But we need some support.  And with this idea, we have created this period, the DIAL period to help with all this.

We see the DIAL period as a place to assist with all we need to do.  In education, there is no magic bullet.  No instant solvent to make everything better.  If there were, everyone would use it.  We are all, in education, trying to figure out what works best ... but not only that, but ... what works best with our own population.  There might be initiatives which work at this school or that school or at the high school level or at the elementary level, but for every school, one has to find a solution for ourselves.

And we feel DIAL is a start.  The period is being used for a multitude of different uses.  Below I have posted just a few from many of our teachers, and this is just the beginning.  This is our first foray into this.  We are a "work in progress."  We will get better at it and as we do our student achievement will raise with it.  Again, below are just a few of the activities we are utilizing the DIAL periods for.  I think you will be most impressed in what we have done so far.  And just remember, this is only the beginning of what some of the teachers are doing . . . 

As discussed, we are sending students off to the subjects where they have been identified as needing extra help, primarily math and ELA. Those students who are left will be engaged in a scientific activity. We have done experiments, learned about inventions of the twentieth century and discussed the practical use of the scientific method (using Myth Busters as a model). Primarily my DIAL periods are targeted to promote discussion and engage in activity that will be of benefit come Science Fair time.

During DIAL periods I have been working on remediation for Digits. Some of the days I have worked in the computer lab or with the tablets specifically with students that do not have access to computers at home. Most often I work in the classroom with students needing to work on skills that are below grade level. Most recently, for consistency, I have established a list of students that I will stick with for a 2 week span and then move on to a new group. 

Through our Unified Arts teachers, we are running such enrichment activities as Zumba, Dance, Crafty Science, Mud Works, Basketball Skills, Self-Defense, Drawing Skills, Art 3D, Painting, and Running to name just a few.  

I am doing poetry with the kids who sign up for my DIAL.  I covered figurative language with them and then we analyze different poems trying to identify the different examples of figurative language they can find and what they really mean.

Right now, we are analyzing poetry in music.  The kids got to choose a song and had to write the lyrics then identify the poetic devices and analyze them.  I hope they will be presenting their songs during our next class, but maybe not until the one after that.

Next, I am going to have them write a family metaphor poem and make a project for it.  They will also be presenting this to the group.

During my DIAL periods, my students focus on 3 things:

5-10 mins organizing binders, papers, and materials in order to be better prepared for their classes…

30-40 mins working on their DIGITS Individualized Study Plan

5-10 mins working on other various IEP goals they may have such as a Transition Goal (post-secondary, career planning…)

Special Education co-teachers have been instructed for math DIALs to be exclusively using the intervention lessons on the current unit/chapter for special Ed students.

Language Arts Special Education co-teachers use DIAL to review and preview content for science and social studies for their students as well as work on their reading and writing goals.

In DIALs we are currently working on Time Management Skills (prioritizing, making to do lists, looking at daily schedules, etc.). Before that we did Sensory Regulation Skills (ID energy levels, assessing needs in the classroom, practicing techniques to manage different sensory issues) and Study Skills (tools, ways to manage time, etc.). Ongoing we are working on organizational skills (agenda checks, loose paper filing, binder and locker cleanouts) and we work on remediation (mostly math). Also ongoing we talk about social/emotional issues that come up and problem solve (either individually or as a group.)

I am doing Data Based Questions on American History and working through the History Channel Series "The Story of Us". As they watch they are filling out guided questions.

I am doing a math extra help sessions with my DIAL kids.  The groups range between 15-25 depending on the day.  The kids are using the tablets or computer labs to complete math IXL math review problems and games to help reinforce 6th grade standards.  Examples include math basketball (solving equations) math basketball (properties) battleship (properties) khan academy math playground balancing equations I also have given them an introduction to the study stack website which will be our next venture for kids to signup for their own study stack account and create a stack with math vocabulary. 

I love having the DIAL period with the choruses.  In both 6th and 7th Grade it is an opportunity for the Full Ensemble to work together as they are split into to smaller classes when they come to Chorus for their classes.  It gives us a great opportunity to share what we have learned in our smaller classes, and the students find the time when we are together very rewarding.  In the 8th Grade it has been an opportunity to work on things that we would not have time to work on during a regular class time.  We have been able to spend time during both D Day and E Day DIAL on small singing ensembles and preparation for the upcoming Jr. District and Jr. SEMSBA Auditions.  In addition we have been able to dig deep into more complex music.  Also, due to the flexible nature of the scheduling of DIAL the time can be structured to meet the needs of the students who are present as some may be seeking extra help other places.  I am obviously a fan.   

I have been working with students on extra help for digits during the past several DIALs and most likely will be working with them for the next several DIALs. Previously, I did the survey and a business project.

The Adventurers will be starting a fact-based narrative on the layers of the earth. This is something we have done for years, but changed it to meet the purpose of DIAL.

Students will be going through the writing process while demonstrating their understanding of science concepts. We expect this to carry over for many DIAL periods.

Students that need support with writing will get that support. Kids that need enrichment will receive enrichment.

As you saw when you came into my room, it was during a remediation session as 35 kids had not handed in either their slime lab or the graphing paper on Charles Law but we have a core group of kids that have picked their enrichment.

The group of kids that I have just finished working on Simple machines-- we watched a video, discussed simple machines and explored pulleys, ramps and levers.

We are now going to start on a "Building Math" Series called Stranded. -- this incorporates the engineering design with math -- so our first problem is building a shelter.  We had to "scale" it down to a model -- they will build it and we will test whether is water proof, the right scale and wind proof -- there are 9 problems to solve in the series.

When we are working on forms of energy, I have a fun lab with magnets and we have circuit boards to work on closed systems and parallel circuits.  I also plan on having students work on a Rube Goldberg project when we work on Forms of Energy. I did it in the classroom in the past but have not found time to fit this in - so I think DIAL is the perfect spot for it.

In my class, I have done creative writing, writing letters to soldiers (with Student Council) and am currently working with students struggling with comprehending nonfiction text. We are continuing to work as a team to come up with a cohesive plan to help students who need it and provide enrichment to others.

This term I have all 3 grade levels of band and 8th grade orchestra for DIAL. Second trimester I will see all 3 grade levels of orchestra, and the 8th grade band.

I am running DIAL in a very similar way to band class in 6th grade, but with the 2 smaller groups for class, the opportunity to put the 40+ kids together once a cycle is great. It really seems to motivate them to work had in "small" band, so they can be able to show off a little when we are all together. It is a huge positive motivation.

In 7th grade band we have a heavy to-do list in the fall with two parades and a concert to prepare for. This grade level is the group that only had lessons once a week during recess, so they started a little behind. This DIAL time has helped me catch them up so that they have learned to march, memorized 3 marching pieces and learned 3 concert pieces!

8th grade band and orchestra are able to really dig in deeper to harder literature with the DIAL time. In 8th grade orchestra (since they don't have a parade to prepare for) I was able to work on some Festival auditions and scales, a real enrichment/gifted/talented opportunity for our more advanced players.

I'm looking forward to having DIAL time with the orchestra 2nd trimester, I am sure it will yield great musical growth!

During DIAL periods I have been working on remediation for Digits. Some of the days I have worked in the computer lab or with the tablets specifically with students that do not have access to computers at home. Most often, I work in the classroom with students needing to work on skills that are below grade level. Most recently, for consistency, I have established a list of students that I will stick with for a two week span and then move on to a new group.

I know you are already aware of the Robotics that we are doing for DIAL but I wanted to let you know that Science and Social Studies teachers are going to conduct a joint activity based on curriculum that was actually written for a math class by the museum of science. We hope to have it sometime before the Winter break.

In DIALs there is a group of students who are studying World War II.  The students have shown an interest in this portion of history and it is something we can enhance to their knowledge by adding it through DIAL.

Students are currently working on creative writing in my DIAL. They can create poems, short stories, children's books, or comics. Once they have a draft, they will peer edit and work through their writing together. I told them they could create final products to create a portfolio. (The portfolio will depend on the frequency of their coming to Creative Writing.)

DIAL might not be magical, per se, but we do have some wonderful undertakings happening here.  As we have done with everything so far at NMS, we are attempting to do things that might be out of the normal, but the reason for this is to have greater student learning.  In the end, we will have more success because of the efforts of everyone; not magic.