Self-Pacing

SELF-PACING

💡We asked our current implementers to give some Pro Tips about self-pacing, and this is what they said:

Starting with a 5 minute warm-up as a whole group works great! It is a good way to check in and set the expectations for the day. This also gives structure to students of what they need to do during a class period. It's helpful to have them state, "By the end of this period, I will..." to hold them accountable during work time.

Seesaw [Elementary] for self-pacing maps or playlists works so well and is easy to organize.

MCP is great for when you have absent students! This model makes it easy for them to get caught up. It is also very easy for a sub to implement MCP lessons and continue to have students learn at the same speed as when you are present.

Start slow to help reduce teacher burnout. Start with a lesson sequence before diving into an entire unit.

Be really specific about the location of MCP items in your classroom, as well as expectations for work time, mastery checks, and collaborative work time. Go through things in a very guided, step-by-step model with your students. Practice routines and troubleshooting many times over!

It is okay to try things differently unit to unit until you figure out what system works best for your class.

Start with a playlist and add on as you go. Plan your objectives first - this can help the rest of the playlist flow smoother. Using a backwards plan or batch planner is really helpful for this!

Develop systems that work for you, but be open to change and adapt as needed.

It's helpful to plan ahead and be organized. If you're stuck on any component of the model, ask for help!

Take a look at the self-pacing resources below, created by our own Columbia Heights teachers!

MCP Artifacts

Public Facing Tracker

Heather Kopp, Grade 1

This slide is displayed as students work so they know who they can work with, as well as the on-pace lesson for the day.

2D Shape Playlist Design

Student Facing Tracker

Zoey Schaust, Grade 2

Students are able to track their progress individually while they work through this playlist, provided via Seesaw.

Student Gameboard

Shannon Kne, Grade 3

Students work through a math unit on area and perimeter with this gameboard. They have access to all activities, with pause points for exit tickets.

Copy of Story Factory Playlist.pdf

Student Gameboard

Katie Hale, Grade 3

This playlist includes multiple lessons, where students are able to move ahead at their own pace, stopping after their mastery checks.

Monopoly MCP template

Student Gameboard

Katie Hale, Grade 4

This individual student playlist gives students a fun way to move through their assignments. There are opportunities for collaboration built in, as well as review games.

Fact Fluency Tracker

Public Facing Tracker

Izzy Rowles, Grade 4

This tracker allows students to see what they have mastered and what's coming next. The public component encourages collaboration and partner work.

Student Tracker

Izzy Rowles, Grade 4

This is for teacher use only, and allows the teacher to keep track of which facts students have mastered. The cells are color coded based on expected proficiency levels.

Facts Notes

Guided Notes

Izzy Rowles, Grade 4

Students take notes while they watch the instructional video from their teacher. They have an opportunity to practice and are able to keep the notes in their student binders for reference.

Student Tracker

Amy Vojta, Grade 4

Students follow along with this playlist to work through a unit on fractions. They are given must, should, and aspire to do activities for each lesson.

Public Facing Tracker

Trisha Johnson, Grade 5

In this public tracker, student names are listed on magnets. Once students master a lesson (as directed by the teacher), they move their magnet to the next lesson.

Student Checklist: Fractions

Student Checklist

Logan Spears, Grade 5

Students are able to keep track of their assignments as they complete each one. Teachers have a place to leave feedback if they are unable to do so in the moment.

Division Tracker

Student Playlist

Morgan Cunningham, Grade 5

In this playlist, students are able to move through the chapter with teacher check-ins. Students can see which activities are labeled as must/should/aspire to do.

U4 + U5 Tracker

Student Checklist

CA Science Team

Students are able to keep track of their assignments as they complete each one. Target due dates help students stay on pace.

Student Checklist

Jeff Ellering, High School

This page is part of a unit packet. Students can preview all the must do/should do/aspire-to-do assignments in the unit, and check off their progress as they go! The teacher can use this student-facing tracker as a starting point for 1:1 conferencing.