Abbreviated skip boxes

Abbreviated skip boxes

CMC E has places in the script that state a criterion followed by a skip box. All skip boxes work the same way.

The teacher direction specifies a criterion for student performance. If the teacher is confident that the students have met that criterion and are confident students do not need the additional practice, then they skip the part of the presentation that is boxed and start at the step that is specified in the directions.

Three basic criteria

Three basic criteria are followed:

1. perfect performance for that exercise to that point

2. perfect performance for all the exercises of that type in the last two lessons, including that exercise to that point

3. teacher confidence that the students are firm and have mastered that exercise.

Sometimes problems in the workbook and textbook are boxed. The box indicates that the problems may be skipped. Some teachers like to assign skipped problems for extra-credit independent work.

The teacher needs to be conscientious about not skipping steps when the group does not meet the criteria. An average class usually has several students who benefit greatly from the additional practice on most exercises. Some classes will not meet the criteria for any of the skip boxes. Some class will meet the criterion for ten to fifteen per cent of the skip boxes. Only very high performing classes will meet the criterion for more than thirty per cent of the skip boxes.

The skip boxes are never used to make up for lesson progress. The result of missing practice can cause students’ performance to slow down in later lessons due to lack of fluency.