How should a teacher deal with a class of students with a wide range of abilities?

Question

How should a teacher deal with a class of students with a wide range of abilities?

Answer 1

Welcome to the real world of education.  There are volumes of books on this topic. If you're serious contact a veteran teacher for help.  I use lots of open ended projects so that I can push very high expectations for the more able students while giving less able students plenty of support.  

Answer 2

All public school classes have a huge range of abilities (academic, social, physical, emotional)

Have the kids do a lot of group work, and keep mixing those groups up.  I use a random grouping approach at times (pull names out of a hat), ability groupings at other times, and let the kids choose once in a while.

Take a Differentiated INstruction Class.

Use the kids as teachers for each other. Do a lot of independent work.

Use paraprofessionals or special ed staff to co-teach and divide the class.

Answer 3

Do you mean curriculum and instruction wise?

I teach multiage 1st -3rd grade so the range of abilities is VERY WIDE.

I use the joyful noise curriculum to support my curriculum - they are independant math programs.

The workshop models in reading and writing are especially good in differntiating instruction.

For spelling: Words their way - developmental spelling where kids are met at their level and move up.

Your best bet is to provide opportunities for all students to be successful whether it be centers or what not.

Answer 4

What kind of abilities? Physical? Learning?

Differentiated Instruction. Look it up.

Answer 5

Just say that they can't go out for recess (though i don't think they'll buy it unless u really mean it)

or change their seats(They'll be more wild if they are with someone close to them like their best friend. So i recommend this one but don't change seats when they're NOT wild.) or maybe just let them be( this is the easiest way. This is also because they get bad grades in exams so their parrents will do the job for you.).