Hello Champions!!! Are you ready for your first assignment as we start this journey together? The introduction is packed with information and aha's that will get you thinking right from the beginning. This week we are all going to read the introduction and then post three things.
1) Give me one aha that will probably change pretty quickly. For example, after I read about giving directions and standing still I thought about how many times people give directions while passing out the assignment. My mind immediately goes to the paper in my hands instead of the words the instructor is saying. As a teacher, I'll never give important information again while handing out a paper.
2) Watch the video clip and comment on routines. Whether it be one you could share or something you thought of as you watched or read.
3) The section on teaching assessed standards is very applicable given our pushes in TEEP. What information from the chapter will help you as you begin to apply the TEEP "I can" philosophies to your classroom?
Please post by Nov. 4th
1. My aha was also about giving directions while passing out papers. Such a simple thing but it makes sense. Of course the students would be looking at the paper being handed to them instead of listening to the teacher.
ReplyDelete2. I loved watching the video clip on routines. I am a big proponent of spending time during the first weeks of school going over procedures and routines. In his book, The First Days of School, Harry Wong says most behavior problems in the classroom are caused by students failing to follow procedures and routines. Taking the time at the beginning of the year to train students on procedures makes up for the time wasted during the year if they are not trained.
3. From the section on teaching assessed standards...some teachers focus on activities rather than the goal. Teachers have to remember not to get caught up in making everything fun and exciting. The posted "I can" statements will be a visual reminder to me and the students to stay focused on the goal.
1. My first aha moment was no opt out. Make students responsible for their answers. I like it with the student who was unable to answer ends up with the student giving the right answer.It pushes him or her to follow the correct thinking process.
ReplyDelete2. I loved rountines. I am obsessed about routines. It establishes structure in your classroom. With good structure, you can elimate most behavior problems. Taking time out to train students what you expect of them saves value time throughout the school year.
3. Being driven by data, I believe that some teachers are focus on the activities and not the goal. By posting "I can" statements in my class are a visual reminders to me and my class of the goal.
My 'aha' seemed so obvious when I read about it. For the last year or so I have given the kids the chance to call on a life-line when they did not know the answer to a question. Many times they would listen to the answer when it is given by the other student, but not always. When previewing the clips I watched the No Opt Out strategy. I began having the children repeat the correct answer all the time. It did not take long for the kids to realize that they would be held responsible for repeating the correct answer. This is something so simple that it made me feel silly for not doing it before.
ReplyDeleteWho would have dreamed that passing papers quickly could save almost 63 hrs per year? These days when we feel so rushed to get everything done, the 'beneath notice' activities could be a real asset in our toolboxes.
We have been posting the pre-printed standards in first grade. After using them for a couple of weeks I feel that they are not really beneficial for my students. First grade students don't understand; "I can understand and use grade level decoding skills." But they can understand; I can read wh, sh, and th words. I am going to reword many of the I can statements to make them more accessible to my students.
1. My aha moment came when reading the part about getting out of the mindset of fixing what is wrong. Too often in the classroom and education we hear the saying “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” about educational practices, teaching strategies, and curriculum. What we need to do is while adjusting some issues in the classroom that are not working, we also need to take the strategies that are working to the next level and not become complacent with our everyday teaching and routines.
ReplyDelete2. I think routines are a must have in each classroom. Not only does it save time when doing simple tasks such as lunch count and passing out papers, but it also gives the students ownership of the classroom. Those are their routines that they can take responsibility for. Establishing those routines takes time and practice, but once they are in place, those routines help the classroom run just a bit smoother when the main teacher is out of the class.
3. Understanding the state standards can be confusing and difficult for the teacher, let alone the teacher. I think that I need to look at the standards and make them understandable for the students. One way I’ve done this (thanks to Annie’s suggestion) is I had the students take some longer I CAN statements and break them down in their own words. This helps them to take ownership over their learning and fully know what they are supposed to be taking away from the lesson. I’d also like to improve ways that I can connect the student to how the information will help them in real life.
1. My aha moment is like many of you had already stated. When passing out papers you don't think much of it. We are taught to utalize every mintute to gain more teaching time. However, even as an adult when someone hands me a paper, I immediatly look at it and tune out the speaker. From, now on, I will pass out papers after giving directions or turn them face down.
ReplyDelete2. As I watched the teacher practice paper passing, I was thinking we assume student know how to pass them out. I think its vital to take that first week and go over all procedures and routines, even if they know what to do, its important the students know how to do the procedure in the class. It may be different from their previous teacher.
3.I think that the "I can" statements are more for the teachers than the students. I think the I can statements with those 4 or 5 questions are a great combination. When I asked students why are you learning this they can look at the I can statements. It also reminds me to explain to my students what we are learning and why. I usually have to reword it for the younger grades I work with.