Instructional Methods

Chipeta differentiates instruction to meet the unique needs of every student. The Response to Intervention (RtI) process has made a significant difference in how we provide services to students.  Modifications are provided for students at both the low and high ends of the academic spectrum.

RtI is a model that identifies students who are in need of additional supports to meet or exceed grade level benchmark goals. Research-based interventions and instruction are used for all students. Decision-making teams consisting of the principal, school psychologist, literacy resource teacher, classroom teacher, and parents review data to determine appropriate interventions. Teachers and interventionists collect data to monitor student progress, which informs instruction. The numerous tutors and volunteers allow our teachers to deliver differentiated instruction in small groups for all subjects.

All Chipeta students receive rigorous core instruction.  Within classrooms, instruction is modified based on individual requirements.  Classroom, district, and state assessment results are disaggregated; classroom teachers address specific groups such as English Language Learners, gender, and ethnicity, differentiating instruction based on data.  For example, students who demonstrate proficiency on social studies pretests may choose alternate in-depth activities.

Chipeta has a high number of gifted students; in lieu of regular education classes, verbally and/or quantitatively gifted students receive daily academically-appropriate instruction in reading, writing, and math.   Within these classes, instruction is differentiated for each student. In one instance, a 2^nd grade student who is highly gifted in math attended the 5^th grade accelerated math class daily, where he challenged his intellectual peers.

Small group goals and interventions align with students’ areas of need.  Modifications for students who struggle with reading may include small-group tutoring using Orton Gillingham multisensory experiences.  Students who are building fluency may participate in our Read Naturally software program.  Science instruction includes gender-specific strategies since our boys outscore our girls on district assessments.  Some students who have behavioral issues participate in weekly group sessions with the school psychologist.  Respectful and appropriate instruction creates Chipeta’s engaged and motivated students.