So our TAKS benchmarks weren't so hot. Actually... that's an understatement. It probably has something to do with the fact that 3 of the 25 questions on the test were not anything we had studied yet (physics) and that some of the other questions were... well, questionable. But still, I want my kids to be ready for this test. I want them to be confidant and know that they are capable.
I talked with my students about the whole situation today. We discussed a plan of action and decided we don't really like how they cram TAKS down our throats 3 weeks before it happens. My students actually told me they want to know what's going on now.... so I gave them some options and something we came up with was having TAKS days.
First, a TAKS practice test would be offered for all those students who can succeed without even attending 8th grade. We know they will pass and so do they and they do not want to be bothered with silly little assignments. These will probably be my GT kids and some of my high achievers. But, I want to make sure that some kids who won't get EVERYTHING right are rewarded also. I will break the test down into objectives so that if you make a 90% or higher on a particular objective, then you will not have to be present while we go over it. (This will also keep those students from doing what resembles the potty dance in order to get my attention to call on them... or blurting out every single answer.) Also, these students will not just have "free days" but they will be doing another activity that is science related... possibly in groups... we will see how it works out.
I think we have decided that once a week, we are going to to TAKS stuff. We will review an objective and/or some strategies for taking tests. Along with this little activity, I am going to have them take some little quizzes to find out their learning styles and personalities just so they can be aware... and also to break it up a bit.
This isn't going to take away from our other activities because we have decided that if we get in a bind or need to pick up the pace, we will just skip a TAKS day.
The best part of this is that I really felt like some people were not giving me their full view on the ideas we had so I gave them all index cards and told them to write whether or not they liked the TAKS idea and if they thought they would be interested in taking a pre-TAKS test. I also had them give me reasons. Well, I got a lot of positive feedback. Many of my kids wrote things that made you wish you could take the test for them. Some wrote that they were scared and some wrote that they don't want to be in 8th grade next year so they want to pass. (This year they have to pass math, English and either history or science.... I, of course, tried to convince them of all the reasons science will be easier:P) I'm so glad we took some time out to do this. I feel like they are happy to kind of take control of their learning... and isn't that what we are hoping for anyhow?
I just have to share one student's comments. He is my Aspergers kid. Even though it is an anonymous thing, I know from his handwriting and his comments that it was him. He is super smart and will probably be one of the students who gets to sit out on TAKS day. Anyhow, this is what he says and it makes me giggle because he is so smart, so honest, and you can tell that he wants the class to succeed.
"Yes, the TAKS review can be helpful for enabling us to do well. Our bench mark bred unimpressive results. Spreading the practice out is easier."
It definitely stood out among the all the responses.
Anyhow, so we are going to have TAKS day and even though I know that I never wanted to teach to the test, I have decided that the test is coming... no matter what, and I want to help my students do their best. Plus, there are always going to be formal tests... geez, I had to take them just to get this job! So, these techniques that we go over will follow them for the rest of their lives... not just till TAKS... and again.. isn't that what's important?
Happy Halloween!!!! -coach b!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Racing Cars
Yea! I found something cool for my students to do. We finally FINALLY made it through chemistry. We are now on physics. I asked another teacher (and coach also) if she would want to do this with us because we have the same schedule. She agreed! We are going to be making the balloon powered race cars! Here are a few sites to see about it:
NASA contest
Middle School Contest
How to build
Lots of pictures
I've decided to pair up my kids and also give them one class period to work on it at school. We will actually be going to the computer lab so they can find out if they want things like big or small wheels, narrow or wide build, long or short, heavy or light. They will get to do a little research and then they will have to draw a diagram and label the parts they will use to build. This will not have to look exactly like the car they turn in, but I'm not going to tell them that.
On race day they will have to find the distance their car traveled and the time it took to go that distance. They will also have to calculate the average speed of their car using the formula to find speed.
The car will be graded using a rubric and will not qualify to race if it does not meet the rules.
1. Has to have a name
2. Wheels have to be made. They can not be anything that is already made to be used for a wheel.
3. Has to be balloon powered.
We will also have prizes of course! I can't wait to see what they come up with!
-coach b
NASA contest
Middle School Contest
How to build
Lots of pictures
I've decided to pair up my kids and also give them one class period to work on it at school. We will actually be going to the computer lab so they can find out if they want things like big or small wheels, narrow or wide build, long or short, heavy or light. They will get to do a little research and then they will have to draw a diagram and label the parts they will use to build. This will not have to look exactly like the car they turn in, but I'm not going to tell them that.
On race day they will have to find the distance their car traveled and the time it took to go that distance. They will also have to calculate the average speed of their car using the formula to find speed.
The car will be graded using a rubric and will not qualify to race if it does not meet the rules.
1. Has to have a name
2. Wheels have to be made. They can not be anything that is already made to be used for a wheel.
3. Has to be balloon powered.
We will also have prizes of course! I can't wait to see what they come up with!
-coach b
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
To Do List
Yes, that's right, I need to focus.
*meet with principal
*make extra graph paper
*get work for girl who didn't do prelab
*talk to science head about friday test
*make test review for tomorrow
*clothes to cleaners
*tire change
*oil change
*post concept maps
*grade papers
*make graphs from lab today
*meeting after school and in morning
Yea!!! not tooo much, right? OK, it is a lot! Last night I FINALLY had a girls' night. I had been missing my friend... a former teacher... forever!!! We went and had a quick meal together and then I had to meet a teacher up at school to set up a lab for today. Then, we went back out and had a thirst quenching beverage at chili's. I am so happy to have friends like her! I just love getting to hang out and talk about boys and just life. She makes me laugh so hard!
Also, yesterday, at the thought of someone coming to my house, I actually cleaned!!! Now, my mom can't come visit me yet, but soon enough it will be up and running. Should cleaning be on the to-do list also? naaaaahh!
alrighty, this is me signing off and hoping i get some of this finished now. -coach b!
*meet with principal
*make extra graph paper
*get work for girl who didn't do prelab
*talk to science head about friday test
*make test review for tomorrow
*clothes to cleaners
*tire change
*oil change
*post concept maps
*grade papers
*make graphs from lab today
*meeting after school and in morning
Yea!!! not tooo much, right? OK, it is a lot! Last night I FINALLY had a girls' night. I had been missing my friend... a former teacher... forever!!! We went and had a quick meal together and then I had to meet a teacher up at school to set up a lab for today. Then, we went back out and had a thirst quenching beverage at chili's. I am so happy to have friends like her! I just love getting to hang out and talk about boys and just life. She makes me laugh so hard!
Also, yesterday, at the thought of someone coming to my house, I actually cleaned!!! Now, my mom can't come visit me yet, but soon enough it will be up and running. Should cleaning be on the to-do list also? naaaaahh!
alrighty, this is me signing off and hoping i get some of this finished now. -coach b!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
For the Librarians (and teachers too!)
Our school librarian is hosting this cute fundraiser with all benefits going to the SPCA.
PUMPKINS FOR PETS
Decorate a pumpkin to look like your favorite character from a book.
· You may draw, paint, or glue objects on your pumpkin.
· You MAY NOT carve or cut your pumpkin!!!!!
ANY PUMPKIN THAT IS OPEN WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!!
Bring your pumpkin to the library between Friday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 23. Pumpkins will not be accepted before Friday, Oct. 19 or after Tuesday, Oct. 23.
This year, a silent auction will be held for the pumpkins. All proceeds will benefit the SPCA. The auction opens at 8:00 on Wednesday, Oct. 24 and closes at noon on Friday, Oct. 26. All students and staff are invited to donate pumpkins!!!! How creative can we be?
See, I told you it was a cute idea. I also love how there is basically no set up required at all. Maybe you need some sheets for donations and a place to display the pumpkins but that's it! I was thinking even if you weren't a librarian and you wanted your kids (especially younger ones) to think about the main character or someone in a book they are reading, you could do this as an activity. OOOOhhhhh how I wish we could incorporate this into our science lessons somehow... but I just don't see it happening. (An I'm refusing to stick however many pumpkins together and call them a molecule... not my cup of tea.)
P.S. Pray for my kids tomorrow. They will be super stressed from their TEKS check thingy. Thanks, coach b!
PUMPKINS FOR PETS
Decorate a pumpkin to look like your favorite character from a book.
· You may draw, paint, or glue objects on your pumpkin.
· You MAY NOT carve or cut your pumpkin!!!!!
ANY PUMPKIN THAT IS OPEN WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!!
Bring your pumpkin to the library between Friday, Oct. 19 and Tuesday, Oct. 23. Pumpkins will not be accepted before Friday, Oct. 19 or after Tuesday, Oct. 23.
This year, a silent auction will be held for the pumpkins. All proceeds will benefit the SPCA. The auction opens at 8:00 on Wednesday, Oct. 24 and closes at noon on Friday, Oct. 26. All students and staff are invited to donate pumpkins!!!! How creative can we be?
See, I told you it was a cute idea. I also love how there is basically no set up required at all. Maybe you need some sheets for donations and a place to display the pumpkins but that's it! I was thinking even if you weren't a librarian and you wanted your kids (especially younger ones) to think about the main character or someone in a book they are reading, you could do this as an activity. OOOOhhhhh how I wish we could incorporate this into our science lessons somehow... but I just don't see it happening. (An I'm refusing to stick however many pumpkins together and call them a molecule... not my cup of tea.)
P.S. Pray for my kids tomorrow. They will be super stressed from their TEKS check thingy. Thanks, coach b!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
TAKS nightmares
As you may know, we here in Texas have this most awesome (note the sarcasm) test that we base all of our teaching on. Actually let me back up. Technically, we have this list of skills that each student is supposed to know upon completion of a particular class or year. So, we base our teaching on that and the most awesome test comes along in the end and tells you how much your students don't know. At least that's how I see it. Some say its teaching to the test... some try to say that its just teaching the essential skills that are tested by the test... either way... its annoying!
This Thursday I will be giving my kids a pre- TAKS test. It should be given at the end of 2 units and includes questions from chemistry AND physics. Guess what? We have covered NO physics. I told my kids to expect to see some strange things and to just do their best, but in my head I am thinking, "HOW UNFAIR!" We have made this chemistry unit span over too many weeks and while I am a couple of days behind the lead teacher, I am still not ready for physics. My students have done some great labs and activities to incorporate different TEKS into their schedule... things that aren't part of chemistry or physics and I am hoping in the end there will be some things we don't have to cover because we already have.
I was told that concept maps are a really good thing for students to understand (well... duh!) concepts so we are doing one right now in groups of 4-5 people over the 3 main states of matter (liquid, gas, and solid... for you non-science folks). It is an activity that is going to take half of 2 days while the rest of the time we focus on some notes on the same subject. I knew this would be a review but I felt like the whole subject warranted more than one 45 minute class period. So we are doing this today and tomorrow and while I feel I am rushing my kids, I also feel like the district is rushing to give us these tests.
I just feel at a loss... I feel I am being pulled in some directions to hurry and shove stuff in the students' laps but I also have mentor teachers informing me that they are always behind and their students' scores are even with the teachers who rush. Believe me, I'm not even the last person. Out of 4 people on our team, I am probably in 2nd right now... not that its a race... or is it? I can't decide!
In other classroom news, I sent 2 students down to the office with a referral. They were play fighting and then in a snap it switched to real fighting. Too bad for them... for me, it was kind of funny to watch.
I also gave one boy in my class 3 paperclips today. I told him he would get 3 everyday and then every time I heard him over everyone, he interrupted me, asked a question (usually they are irrelevant), or was just getting on my nerves, I would take one away and after the 3rd time, he would receive a detention. He responded by asking me if he could keep the ones that he had at the end of class and I looked down and took one and said (with a big toothy grin, of course)..."That's one!" Wow, his corner of the room was super silent from then on out!
My last one is... anyone have any ideas for how to get a student who does nothing motivated to work? No group work, no individual, no homework. I have tried calling the parents and they either don't live there anymore or they do not have an answering machine. I am at a loss. Right now he has 3 detentions and now a referral to the office... but I just don't see that motivating him.... at all. Two classes in a row he has literally come in and put his feet up crossed on a desk and folded his arms behind his head. I'm so over it!
til next time! -coach b
This Thursday I will be giving my kids a pre- TAKS test. It should be given at the end of 2 units and includes questions from chemistry AND physics. Guess what? We have covered NO physics. I told my kids to expect to see some strange things and to just do their best, but in my head I am thinking, "HOW UNFAIR!" We have made this chemistry unit span over too many weeks and while I am a couple of days behind the lead teacher, I am still not ready for physics. My students have done some great labs and activities to incorporate different TEKS into their schedule... things that aren't part of chemistry or physics and I am hoping in the end there will be some things we don't have to cover because we already have.
I was told that concept maps are a really good thing for students to understand (well... duh!) concepts so we are doing one right now in groups of 4-5 people over the 3 main states of matter (liquid, gas, and solid... for you non-science folks). It is an activity that is going to take half of 2 days while the rest of the time we focus on some notes on the same subject. I knew this would be a review but I felt like the whole subject warranted more than one 45 minute class period. So we are doing this today and tomorrow and while I feel I am rushing my kids, I also feel like the district is rushing to give us these tests.
I just feel at a loss... I feel I am being pulled in some directions to hurry and shove stuff in the students' laps but I also have mentor teachers informing me that they are always behind and their students' scores are even with the teachers who rush. Believe me, I'm not even the last person. Out of 4 people on our team, I am probably in 2nd right now... not that its a race... or is it? I can't decide!
In other classroom news, I sent 2 students down to the office with a referral. They were play fighting and then in a snap it switched to real fighting. Too bad for them... for me, it was kind of funny to watch.
I also gave one boy in my class 3 paperclips today. I told him he would get 3 everyday and then every time I heard him over everyone, he interrupted me, asked a question (usually they are irrelevant), or was just getting on my nerves, I would take one away and after the 3rd time, he would receive a detention. He responded by asking me if he could keep the ones that he had at the end of class and I looked down and took one and said (with a big toothy grin, of course)..."That's one!" Wow, his corner of the room was super silent from then on out!
My last one is... anyone have any ideas for how to get a student who does nothing motivated to work? No group work, no individual, no homework. I have tried calling the parents and they either don't live there anymore or they do not have an answering machine. I am at a loss. Right now he has 3 detentions and now a referral to the office... but I just don't see that motivating him.... at all. Two classes in a row he has literally come in and put his feet up crossed on a desk and folded his arms behind his head. I'm so over it!
til next time! -coach b
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Updates, Dog Walks and Discipline
Update: Observation went good, not as well as expected, but she came one class early and that is my "we aren't the sharpest tools in the shed" class... so it was difficult to the lab with them.
Dog walks: Today and yesterday morning and evening have felt SO good while walking my doggy. It feels like autumn where the cold nips at you but doesn't knock you over. I feel so refreshed when I walk outside and it was so nice during the night that I kept my AC off... (yea!!!! for small electric bills!)
Discipline: Yesterday I had the day off from classes to go to some training. We had to observe 4 hours of a master teacher and I thought I was going to hate it, but I loved it. I got some great ideas from these ladies I work with everyday but never get to see them in action. Also, I got to talk to my principal for a long time after school yesterday... just thanking him for letting me go to this thing. We started talking about what I need help with and I told him I think I have it all except for the discipline part.
I don't know when to draw the line between a warning and a detention or whatever other consequence it is. I know they are laid out and there are rules, but really, where is the line? I just know that middle school was a hard time in my life... not behavior wise, but just mentally I was all sorts of messed up (probably still am:P). Its hard for me to discipline a student without being mean and unfair... and still have them want to come to my class and learn. I have been lucky with a few but I know some of these kids are going to keep grudges and I know not everyone is going to like me but I need them to be willing to work in my class. Luckily my principal reassured me by letting me know that the only way I can learn is by making [small] mistakes... and that no one in admin is going to look down on me for it. The only thing I am having trouble with is that making a mistake on something like that doesn't only involve me... but is a mistake for that student and goodness knows they have enough "mistakes" to deal with... without me having to add one to the list.
I have decided to attend a free training for some classroom management and the principal offered for the school to pay my mileage which is great! I am so lucky to be working with such awesome people!
Some other things I learned from training yesterday:
Use music- during transitions, study time, changing classes, etc. Go for classical or oldies so that no one is offended or yelling about not liking something. As one teacher put it... you and the kids can both enjoy something you dislike together.
Use examples- The more examples you have... the more they remember. Use between 8 and 10 for each concept.
Increase wait time- Hold your wait time for 15-30 seconds depending on age (longer for older) and you and your students will reap the benefits.
I have already started using this today and the lightbulbs are definitely turning on brighter.
Til next time- coach b
Dog walks: Today and yesterday morning and evening have felt SO good while walking my doggy. It feels like autumn where the cold nips at you but doesn't knock you over. I feel so refreshed when I walk outside and it was so nice during the night that I kept my AC off... (yea!!!! for small electric bills!)
Discipline: Yesterday I had the day off from classes to go to some training. We had to observe 4 hours of a master teacher and I thought I was going to hate it, but I loved it. I got some great ideas from these ladies I work with everyday but never get to see them in action. Also, I got to talk to my principal for a long time after school yesterday... just thanking him for letting me go to this thing. We started talking about what I need help with and I told him I think I have it all except for the discipline part.
I don't know when to draw the line between a warning and a detention or whatever other consequence it is. I know they are laid out and there are rules, but really, where is the line? I just know that middle school was a hard time in my life... not behavior wise, but just mentally I was all sorts of messed up (probably still am:P). Its hard for me to discipline a student without being mean and unfair... and still have them want to come to my class and learn. I have been lucky with a few but I know some of these kids are going to keep grudges and I know not everyone is going to like me but I need them to be willing to work in my class. Luckily my principal reassured me by letting me know that the only way I can learn is by making [small] mistakes... and that no one in admin is going to look down on me for it. The only thing I am having trouble with is that making a mistake on something like that doesn't only involve me... but is a mistake for that student and goodness knows they have enough "mistakes" to deal with... without me having to add one to the list.
I have decided to attend a free training for some classroom management and the principal offered for the school to pay my mileage which is great! I am so lucky to be working with such awesome people!
Some other things I learned from training yesterday:
Use music- during transitions, study time, changing classes, etc. Go for classical or oldies so that no one is offended or yelling about not liking something. As one teacher put it... you and the kids can both enjoy something you dislike together.
Use examples- The more examples you have... the more they remember. Use between 8 and 10 for each concept.
Increase wait time- Hold your wait time for 15-30 seconds depending on age (longer for older) and you and your students will reap the benefits.
I have already started using this today and the lightbulbs are definitely turning on brighter.
Til next time- coach b
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Observations
I have been putting off trying to be observed as long as possible. I am not sure I am really super comfortable with someone watching all my mistakes for a whole class period. Its not that I am nervous to have people sit in my classroom, its just that kids and adults are so different. Adults just want to comment on every little thing where as kids will just laugh it off... and you might be known as the cookiest teacher in town, but really, is that such a big deal?
I think this is one reason I like being a tacher. The audience is kids! Honestly, they are a lot easier to please than adults. The thing is, I'm actually great with parents and grandparents (as long as they aren't my own) and have been called an "old soul" before, but its just not my cup of tea to stand in front of my actual peers and be critiqued. It reminds me of the times where I had to play my clarinet in the band in front of everyone for chair tests and even though I could play perfectly at home, I couldn't muster up the courage or breath to even make a good first sound, which in turn left me shaking nervously and before you knew it, I could barely even stay on the chair. I think it really all boils down to one thing... I just don't like to be on stage if I'm the only one.
I wish we didn't even have to do it. I feel like I still am not ready to be watched. I am constantly on edge about the smallest things in my classroom because I try to make every day so perfect... yes, I realize this will never happen, but you don't know me if you don't know that I'm forever trying. I want each kid to see the light and I want them to understand all the procedures and rules as well as be entertained by the stuff on the walls. I also have to make sure that I am keeping up with daily announcements, taking attendance, doing grades and teaching the TEKS (... yah! teks!) along with assessments and whatever else I am leaving out. This is definitely an ongoing position and while I don't neccesarily take it home each night... I do think about it and not to mention have crazy dreams about it constantly.
I have great mentors and I know they think I can succeed, but I think that is a whole other problem. I would hate to dissapoint them. Today my mentor teacher told me that my consultant said I would be a great teacher and as much as I am shining on the inside about that fact... my stomach is tying in knots because in my head I'm not really to the goals I have set for myself. Honestly, I think those goals change every day, but the point is, I really don't know if by the end of the year I will feel that I have met my own "great teacher" standards and that is kind of frustrating.
Anyhow, my consultant is coming on Thursday around 10:30 to watch me, so PLEASE be saying lots of prayers and sending happy thoughts to me AND my students... goodness knows that I won't get through this without them. I have a really fun lab that I had already planned (WOOHOO!!) and it is the first REAL lesson that I have planned without the help of other teachers at this school. But, I did borrow it from a great website and most importantly it involves jellybeans which are pretty much my favorite candy (besides chocolate, of course!) at the moment. I think everythign will go alright... I'm just hoping that I can pull it off.
I think this is one reason I like being a tacher. The audience is kids! Honestly, they are a lot easier to please than adults. The thing is, I'm actually great with parents and grandparents (as long as they aren't my own) and have been called an "old soul" before, but its just not my cup of tea to stand in front of my actual peers and be critiqued. It reminds me of the times where I had to play my clarinet in the band in front of everyone for chair tests and even though I could play perfectly at home, I couldn't muster up the courage or breath to even make a good first sound, which in turn left me shaking nervously and before you knew it, I could barely even stay on the chair. I think it really all boils down to one thing... I just don't like to be on stage if I'm the only one.
I wish we didn't even have to do it. I feel like I still am not ready to be watched. I am constantly on edge about the smallest things in my classroom because I try to make every day so perfect... yes, I realize this will never happen, but you don't know me if you don't know that I'm forever trying. I want each kid to see the light and I want them to understand all the procedures and rules as well as be entertained by the stuff on the walls. I also have to make sure that I am keeping up with daily announcements, taking attendance, doing grades and teaching the TEKS (... yah! teks!) along with assessments and whatever else I am leaving out. This is definitely an ongoing position and while I don't neccesarily take it home each night... I do think about it and not to mention have crazy dreams about it constantly.
I have great mentors and I know they think I can succeed, but I think that is a whole other problem. I would hate to dissapoint them. Today my mentor teacher told me that my consultant said I would be a great teacher and as much as I am shining on the inside about that fact... my stomach is tying in knots because in my head I'm not really to the goals I have set for myself. Honestly, I think those goals change every day, but the point is, I really don't know if by the end of the year I will feel that I have met my own "great teacher" standards and that is kind of frustrating.
Anyhow, my consultant is coming on Thursday around 10:30 to watch me, so PLEASE be saying lots of prayers and sending happy thoughts to me AND my students... goodness knows that I won't get through this without them. I have a really fun lab that I had already planned (WOOHOO!!) and it is the first REAL lesson that I have planned without the help of other teachers at this school. But, I did borrow it from a great website and most importantly it involves jellybeans which are pretty much my favorite candy (besides chocolate, of course!) at the moment. I think everythign will go alright... I'm just hoping that I can pull it off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)