How to deal with a class of mixed abilities
With classroom sizes increasing year on year, the ranges of abilities of the students is widening making it increasingly difficult for a teacher to carry out a lesson that is suitable for all. There can be children within two different school years in the same class and the level of knowledge and understanding that they have can mean that one structured lesson is simply not adequate.
The class needs to be divided in to small groups based on their individual abilities and then separate tasks assigned to each of these groups. This can make lesson planning harder but will give each pupil the best chance in being able to learn at a pace that is suitable to them. If you have a classroom assistant, it is often advised that you give them a group that they can work closely with giving pupils one on one attention. Make sure that you alter the tasks slightly to allow the pupils to learn about the same subject matter on different levels.
