Miss Rucker's third grade class has 24 students, including 2 with IEPs, 2 with 504 plans, 1 gifted student, and 1 non-reader. The document provides statistics showing that over half the students tested below grade level in reading and math at the start of the year, though these numbers decreased by the end of the year. The classroom is arranged into groups of 6 with individual and small group work areas. Students have access to technology, complete projects, and have many opportunities for collaboration.

1. Miss Rucker’s Third Grade
Class

2. Student population
24 students
2 IEP students
2 504 students
1 gifted student
13 girls and 11 boys
3 students with parent(s) in prison
2 students residing with grandparents
1 non-reader

3. Student statistics—August 2013
 55% of students tested below grade level in reading
according to DIBELS
 65% below grade level in math according to SMI
 75% are not on a career/college readiness path
according to Achieve 3000 Level Set

4. Student statistics—May 2014
 35% of students tested below grade level in reading
according to DIBELS
 25% below grade level in math according to SMI
 45% are not on a career/college readiness path
according to Achieve 3000 Level Set

5. Classroom arrangement
 Students are arranged in 4 groups of 6
 Each group has a community shelf to store and access
supplies
 Students are heterogeneously grouped
 Students have access to individual work areas when
they need alone time
 Teacher table where students can access individual
and/or small group instruction by design and by choice

6. Classroom helps
 Computer center where students can practice skills or
look up information
 Goal center—Students set goals at the beginning of the
year. They create a “medallion” and a pennant. The
pennants hang on the wall where students can see a
daily reminder of their goal. The medallions hang beside
of these and are worn at the beginning of each month as
a reminder of student set goals
 Reading wall with reading strategies and tips
 Math wall with math strategies and tips
 Writing wall with writing strategies and tips

7. Collaboration opportunities
 Whole group discussions
 Table discussions
 Partner discussion and share
 Editing buddies
 Reading buddies
 Math buddies

8. Classroom projects
 Timeline of students’ lives
 Science project
 What I Can Be When I Grow Up
 Create a Country
 Manage a Checking Account
 Ecosystem Poster
 Regions of the United States Digital Presentation

9. Technology Access
 1 classroom i-pad
 7 student laptops
 1 mobile i-pad cart to share (30 i-pads)
 1 mobile laptop cart to share (30 laptops)
 6 mobile i-pads to share