The New York City School, the School of One, has an amazing operating system called Teach to One math, which was developed by New Classrooms. This concept is a little likebuilding a school in the cloud, by Sugata Mitra.  Innovative schools are getting more and more attention for its unique approach to education.  Imagine merging direct instruction, group work and individual targeted learning while the teacher provides scaffolds for individuals to reach their goals.  Yes, this is targeted learning at its best.

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Here is what they do:

-Teachers give instruction during the day while other students are working on a particular task or training in a particular subject.-Students use technology and work in groups and/or pods that are used for presenting information to their peers-Large groups are used to support students and virtual teachers support students around the world-Peers tutor and support others students by providing extra support

Turn your school into a School of One!

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO!

 -Use an assessment across grade level that assesses individual needs of your students.  I recommend STEP or NWEA)-Use assessments to create IEP’s for all students (Individual Educational Plans) Use a loose form of this, the more information you have on a student, the better you can support them and their learning.  In each students file note supports needed and write scaffolds used to support student growth.-Have students use technology to develop projects based off of your current theme.  I suggest using technology, creative programs and student research.-Call in colleagues from around the world to support students learning in that particular genre.  Ie. Volcano’s means something total different in Hawaii than in Indiana.  Research people that can Skype in during the unit.-Once you are able to get these things in place then, ask for support in technology programs that target student needs and support students based off of their needs.   Create group rotations based off of student needs and provide support to students while adding to your IEP's.   It may seem like a lot of work but a teacher that can identify individual needs and scaffolds used in the classroom is a extraordinary person in my book!-Remember it takes a village to create change; change is much slower in larger districts.[embed]http://vimeo.com/100136107[/embed]These are things all schools must adopt to adapt to our digital natives; many schools are creating programs around software that is current around Wireless Generation, Microsoft, and others.  Take a look the Times Magazine labeled The School of One the top 50 Best Inventions of 2009!  All pictures courtesy of New Classrooms Innovative Partners!