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final phase of the compacting process can be one of the most exciting
aspects of teaching because it is based on cooperative decision-making
and creativity on the parts of both teachers and students. Time saved
through curriculum compacting can be used by the teacher to provide
a variety of enrichment opportunities for the student.
Enrichment strategies might include a variety
of Type I, II, or III services. This aspect of the compacting process
should also be viewed as a creative opportunity to serve as a mentor
to one or two students who are not working up to potential. We have
also observed another interesting occurrence that has resulted from
the availability of curriculum compacting. When some bright but
underachieving students realized that they could both economize
on regularly assigned material and 'earn time' to pursue their own
interests, their motivation to complete regular assignments increased;
as one student put it, "Everyone understands a good deal!"
The best way to get an overview of the curriculum
compacting process is to examine an actual example of how the management
form that guides this process is used. This form, The
Compactor, serves as both an organizational and record keeping
tool. Teachers should fill out one form per student, or one form
for a group of students with similar curricular strengths. Completed
Compactors should be kept in students' academic files, and updated
on a regular basis.
Some teachers can implement curriculum compacting
with enthusiasm and encounter only minor questions. Others require
more help and support and so we have prepared eight specific steps
than can be used to compact curriculum. For more information on
these steps, click here.
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