Independence Middle School is taking a more intentional approach to intervention, enrichment and student connections this school year with the launch of WIN Time, a dedicated period built into every student’s school day.
WIN stands for “What I Need,” reflecting the idea that student needs vary and can change from day to day. The time can be used for academic intervention, additional practice, enrichment, organization, goal setting or opportunities to connect with teachers.
“Ultimately, that is what WIN is about,” said Principal Haley Mueller. “It is not a specific worksheet, program or activity. It is a protected time in our school day where we intentionally ask: "What does this student need right now, and how can we help provide it?”
Rather than functioning as a traditional study hall or homework period, WIN Time uses student data and teacher input to help determine how students can best use the period. Teachers consider grades, classroom performance, formative assessments, i-Ready data and their own observations when identifying students for additional support.
The daily schedule also provides teachers with an opportunity to respond quickly. If several students struggle with a concept during a morning lesson, for example, a teacher can use WIN Time to provide small-group reteaching before students fall further behind.
Reading and math are key areas of focus. Students may work on targeted skills, teacher-assigned i-Ready lessons, reading comprehension and vocabulary, math practice or assessment corrections. Students who need more intensive reading support can also receive explicit reading instruction.
WIN is not only about intervention. Students who have mastered classroom material may use the time for enrichment and extension activities, problem-solving, independent exploration, creative projects, peer collaboration or advanced applications of skills. “One of our continued goals this year is to grow the enrichment side of WIN so that all students see the period as valuable, regardless of where they are academically,” said Mueller.
The schedule provides additional structure throughout the week. Mondays serve as team days, giving students opportunities to connect with their grade-level teams. Tuesdays and Wednesdays focus on English language arts through Teacher Resource Facilitation, while Thursdays and Fridays focus on math. Each Tuesday through Friday WIN period begins with 15 minutes of i-Ready.
“Just as important, is the opportunity to strengthen relationships between students and adults throughout IMS,” said Mueller. “Middle school students need adults in the building who know them, notice when something is different, celebrate their growth and help them navigate challenges. WIN gives us another opportunity to create those connections.”
As IMS continues to develop WIN Time, staff members are also working collaboratively across grade levels and subject areas to determine how best to use their collective resources. “One of the things I want us to continue building is the idea that students belong to all of us,” said Mueller. “If a student needs additional support, we should be thinking beyond just one classroom or one teacher.”