1. Variations on rotation and flex designs
Model Design Samples
Variations on rotation and flex designs
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2. Overview
Each unique personalized learning environment calls for distinct design considerations, including usage of instructional time, classroom and building space, and staffing roles.
The following slides depict a series of designs developed in different settings for schools and districts with different needs.
Dynamic Rotation Model: Slides 3 and 4 present an in-class model that a teacher could implement tomorrow. The design is extremely flexible and asks teachers to first consider their instructional purpose for a lesson, then choose a classroom layout that best supports the goal. Having flexible furniture greatly eases the implementation of this model.
2/3 Group Rotation Model: Slide 5 presents a situation in which a district asks schools grouped into two cohorts to implement a rotation model with either 2 or 3 groups; schools who still want a lesson to open with daily direct instruction have the choice to use up to 1/3rd of instructional time to do so.
4 Group Detailed Rotation Model Slide 6 highlights a detailed breakdown of a 90-minute class period in which teachers can map out exactly how to use time across 4 groups while thinking about the lesson in 15 minute increments.
School-wide Flex Model Slides 7-8 depict a flex model which requires a 1:1 hardware allocation, large open space for students to work independently, and several well-defined staff roles to support project-based work and 1:1 conferencing
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3. Dynamic Rotation Model (1 of 2)
Instructional Focus
Structure
What kind of learning is happening during the day/throughout the unit?
How is the classroom structured to accommodate the instructional focus?
Intro to New Material
Whole Group
Two-Group Rotations
Whole group w/Pullout
Whole Group to Small Group
Class-wide Small Groups
Centers (teacher, digital, peer-to-peer)
Practice
Reteach/Acceleration
Explore/Create (PBL)
Assess
Reflect
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4. Dynamic Rotation Model (2 of 2)
Whole group instruction will shift to a variety of classroom arrangements that emphasize small group instruction at some point during a class period.
Open
Close
Teachers make grouping and class structure decisions based on student data and instructional focus
Two-Group Rotations
Whole group w/pullout
Whole Group to Small Group
Class-wide Small Groups
Three Centers
Open
Close
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5. 2 and 3 Group Rotation Models: Cohort Selection
Option 1: Whole group to 2-groups
Option 2: Three Group Rotation
Option 1: Two-Group Rotation
Option 2: Three-Group Rotation
Open 5%
33%
15%
15%
90%
80%
80% or
66% or
Transitions? How much time do students have to move to next class?
Close 5%
Close 5%
Close 5%
Option 1 includes significant whole group instructional time at start of class to meet instructional objectives and 2 stations for daily lesson planning
Option 2 includes minimal whole group instructional time and 3 stations for lesson planning; smaller groups than Option 1; for schools with shorter class periods, 3 stations may be completed over 2-days
Option 1 includes whole class open and close to introduce content but most instructional goals completed during rotations; requires daily lesson planning for 2 stations
Option 2 includes whole class open and close to introduce content but most instructional goals completed during rotations; for schools with shorter class periods, 3 stations may be completed over 2-days
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6. 4-Group Rotation Model: “4:15” Rotation
The 90 minute class period is broken down into six 15-minute blocks. Students rotate through 4 stations. Teachers meet with all small groups. The model contains 4 groups rotating at 15 minute intervals, hence the “4:15” designation.
Online
Flex time
Collaboration
15 mins
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Whole class opening
Whole class closing
Teacher
Flextime
Group 4
Overview
Benefits / Considerations
Teacher meets with all 4 groups
15 minutes of digital content work per group
Students work in a variety of settings at a fast pace – may be better for younger students to keep groups moving
“Flex time” may include more online work, independent reading, games, or increased time for collaboration
Conducive to centers when a variety of learning activities are available
Students should be using a content provider with learning activities that take 15 minutes or less
Two 15-minute days in a week would call for 120 minutes of digital content over the remaining three days, or 40 mins/day in the remainder of the week
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7. Project-based Coursework
Flex Model (1 of 2)
Instructional Model
Facilities
Online instruction occurs in a computer lab that accommodates all 75 students
Project-based Coursework
Class Size & Staffing
3 teachers who provide workshops in math, ELA, history, science, and project-based learning
1 course manager who oversees digital learning
1 relationship manager that works with students to set weekly academic and personal goals
Goal Setting
Online Instruction
Hardware
1:1 student-to-computer ratio
Blended Grades: 9
Blended Subjects: Math, ELA, History, Science, Foreign Language
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8. Flex Model (2 of 2)
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