Genius Bar

One of the strategies we are employing on a regular basis in 6th Grade Accelerated Math this year is the Genius Bar.  Differentiation is paramount to the success of our class, which includes 25 scholars.  As we move through the curriculum at a rapid pace, our students need different ways to demonstrate their understanding of concepts and skills.  Some need the repetition necessary to become confident and fluent.  Others want to apply the skills to real-world situations to justify the purpose for learning them in the first place.  And then there are the scholars who are ready to integrate concepts with related skills they haven't even learned about before.  We call this option the Genius Bar.

For a typical math choiceboard, there are four levels of assignments, including novice, practitioner, expert, and genius.  Three to four students routinely choose to work on the Genius Bar problems.  We find them from a variety of sources, but my favorite is Challenge Math for the Elementary and Middle School Student by Edward Zaccaro.  They usually require a little bit of coaching, such as introducing a formula.  Other than that, the scholars must rely on their problem solving ability and number sense.

The benefits of our Genius Bar are easy to see.  The students feel challenged and free to test their abilities to solve unique and relevant problems.  When they solve them correctly I can sense the excitement and pride they must feel.  It is often fun to work on them together.  There are some negative issues we are working to improve.  Many times the students who need to do them the most choose an easier assignment just to avoid a challenge.  In addition, sometimes students that need to be practicing the fundamentals want to try problems they aren't quite ready for.  It is an ongoing process to teach students about making good choices that fit their interests and abilities.  However, I believe that leveled choiceboards have been a successful part of our math class this year, and I am very proud of my Genius Bar group for pushing their limits and working outside of their comfort zone to become the best they can be.