Learning Contracts

Explanation: A learning contract is a means of providing practice for learners based on their particular learning needs as those needs relate to overall learning goals. Contracts take many different forms and are used in a great range of ways. In general, learning contracts include:

• Clarification of learning goals for a unit or topic of study;
• Assessment of learner proficiency with those goals to determine learning needs;
• A "package" of tasks, activities, meeting times with the teacher, and other components likely to help the student continue to develop essential knowledge, understanding, and skills;
• Directions for how the student is expected to work during the contract time, a timeline for completing work, instruction on how to get work approved when it is finished and where to turn it in, and criteria for grading; and
• The actual tasks a student is expected to complete as part of the contract.

CONTRACT EXAMPLE

The following example of a contract was developed by an elementary teacher during a unit of study when it became evident to her that her students were "all over the place" in their understanding and skill regarding the math topics they had recently explored. She developed the contract in the shape of a ticket, and students got their ticket punched whenever they successfully completed a particular task. Successful completion of a task was noted by the teacher or a designated teacher "checker." While everyone's ticket looked alike, different students might have differing assignments under the common headings or topics on the ticket. Note that each student has a time to meet with the teacher

When a teacher knows a student finds the number of parts to an assignment confusing, the teacher can allow that student to select between two activities at a time, glue the choice on the ticket, and move through other tasks in that fashion. Similarly, the teacher can provide timelines for work completion to those students who do not yet plan their own time efficiently. Contracts also lend themselves very well to students with Individual Education Plans, who may need to work on different skills than many of their classmates.

Directions: We have been working hard on a number of important topics in math. Right now, different students need different kinds of practice to keep growing with the topics. To make sure everyone gets the practice and help he nor she needs to be comfortable with the topics, each student has a Math Ticket to complete in the next four days. We will work on the tickets in math time. You can also work on them as an anchor activity when you finish other work. Your ticket will also be your math homework during the next four days.

To be successful with your contract:

• Sit where you can work hard and concentrate
• Pay attention to your own contract
• Help your friends when they get stuck, as long as helping doesn't cause you to get behind in your work
• When you finish a part of your ticket, bring it to the teacher or a student who is a checker for that task.
• If your task is done correctly, you will get your ticket punched in that place. If now, you will need to work some more until your work is good
• Keep all your work in your ticket folder until it is all due on Friday, then turn in your folder when the teacher asks for it
• You will need to meet with the teacher when she calls your name during the week. That's the Teacher Feature. The Teacher will help you and some of your classmates with your math during the Teacher Feature and will see how you are doing with your ticket.
• Your ticket grade will come from four places:

1. How hard you work during ticket time every day,
2. Whether you finish your ticket work on time,
3. One piece of work you select to represent your understanding,
4. One piece of work the teacher picks randomly from your ticket folder.