The theory first
Probably the neatest way to encapsulate all these different ideas is in the 3 words
- COULD
- SHOULD
- WOULD
In terms of COULD, this means that you start by working out whether, with strong support, scaffolding, motivating approach and modified materials, pupils could make a good attempt at the work. There is a fine line between work that is satisfyingly difficult and that which is demoralizingly hard. But we need to recognize that for many lower-attaining pupils simply completing close procedure tasks, cross-words and simple comprehension is not going to prove motivating or rewarding.
SHOULD refers to whether the work is appropriate. We cannot help the National Curriculum we are given, but we could at least modify it to meet the needs of our lower-attainers. Why not think in terms of the 4Ps: people, puzzle, process and point. The lessons revolve around individual people and their actions rather
