Many schools, in many places, are still struggling with the question: how do we catch up?
There’s not an easy answer to this; we know that. However, if we’re going to make sure students find success, it’s essential to take a closer look at both learning loss and learning gains.
Like many other regions, the deep south has been busy building bridges to combat learning loss, close gaps, and provide a forward path ahead for students to not only learn but be engaged in their education.
So, what is being done, and what is working?
Young brother and sister wasking together Curriculum Maps
Curriculum maps have always been helpful. They tie together learning standards while helping teachers teach holistic, cross-grade, and cross-subject levels.
More than ever, curriculum maps shed light on the gaps and gains of student learning, enabling schools to realign their curriculum to address learning loss.
The learning loss that students have experienced isn’t only in academics. There are also gaps in basic skills such as communication, collaboration, and behavior.
Curriculum mapping will continue to help identify and address learning loss while also building resilient schools where consistency and support co-exist.
Lesson Planning Lesson planning might not seem like a critical player in learning loss. After all, educators have always written lesson plans. However, suppose curriculum maps are the roadmap to learning recovery. In that case, lesson plans are the turn-by-turn directions that’ll get us there.
Scaffolding within lesson plans to reinforce previous learning while bringing other students up to where they need to be is essential—utilizing technology within lesson plans and designing learning activities that will keep students engaged. There is also an alternative option for students who don’t have reliable access to either technology or an internet connection. Finally, a way to measure or assess if learning has occurred is within those lesson plans.
Flex-Scheduling
Many districts have created a “flex schedule” to combat learning loss. Flex scheduling provides teachers and students more leaves while also ensuring learning retention. An example of flex scheduling is shortening summer break and then dispersing those days back into the school year at various times. School districts that have done this have seen learning gains in their students and found that teachers and students like having shorter, more frequent breaks.
Moving Forward
Yes, learning loss exists. However, with an organized approach to curriculum mapping and lesson planning, teachers can pinpoint where learning happens – and where it doesn’t.
There are better and brighter days ahead, but these days still matter; they matter very much. Educators and all stakeholders involved need to continue to plan, prepare, and put effective curriculum and intervention methods in motion, so we can continue to close the learning gaps and cross over the bridge together.
To learn more about how to supplement learning loss, contact Agile Education Marketing today.
