Herding goats and sheep?
This week's prompt is thanks to Ms. Nguyen's post. Early in my career I was encouraged to use popsicle sticks, write names on board, and proximity. I found I was always leaving my sticks somewhere in the room and they were not convenient when I needed them; I had five sets. Students would change them around when I was helping another student. I felt that writing names on the board was akin to public shaming and I could not support this technique. Proximity worked until I had five disruptive students in one class! I was not encouraged to visit another classroom, I wish I had the courage to just go visit a teacher I knew had better management skills than me. Ms. Nguyen's comment that I "“add small details” is what [ I ] must do — like practice, fail, practice, fail, shit, practice, shit, fail again — in the classroom!" is so VERY TRUE. I would add to Ms. Nguyen's list - blog about your struggles and your successes. These do not need to be public, but it is good to look back and see how your management style has changed over the years. Sometimes I look back in my old school paper journal to see how I handled a similar situation. I have also noted which times of the year I seem to experience more management issues - late October, February, and late April. I know they are difficult times so I try to remember patience and understanding to help us all "survive".
I have struggled with classroom management for the last 25 years. Not because I have terrible students or uninteresting topics but because I continuously want to be better. The adage of a great lesson leads to fewer management issues is true for me. I try to revise and find new ways of teaching students to keep them interested, but there are some topics where I have not found the magic recipe.
What do I think I do well? I work on classroom routines from day one. Things like checking the board for the "Do Now" task. Sometimes this is a list of materials and groups, others
it is a conversation starter or traditional math warm-up. I enlist the help of a time-watcher or two to help make sure there is time for clean-up at the end of class. I teach how to put away our laptops - log-off all websites, shut down (not sign-off), place in #'ed slot and plug-in power chord. Anytime there is an algorithm for a daily or weekly task, I teach it. My HS Ss do well with these, though the laptops and restroom procedures get re-taught often!
What I think I do not do well? I have some lessons that are significantly less fun and interesting - balancing a checkbook or comparing loans. I hope to use #MTBoS and #finlit to find some interesting, creative, engaging ideas.
How do I deal with management issues? As I have primarily seniors, I try to have a conversation with them as if I was their boss. I explain that I have some concerns and I ask them why they are acting out. I try to understand what is happening - usually not classroom related - and ask if they just need an ear or if they want to brainstorm solutions. Most of the time, my student is able to return to class and focus on the task. If I have to talk to that student repeatedly, I let them know that I will need to contact other concerned adults - coaches, parents/guardians, administrator.
A few years ago, I read "Love and Logic" for parents. I have not read the one for teachers, but I know the techniques work for me in my classroom.
Showing posts with label financial literacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label financial literacy. Show all posts
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Sunday, August 6, 2017
24 Anyone?
6 August 2017
I gave up reviewing my syllabus the first day when I talked with my last class one year. They commented on how they have heard the same rules with various words for six periods. So I asked them what the rules should be and materials needed for class. As this took about half the class, I was at a loss for what to do next. Now I play a game like 24 which has them use their order of operations skills. As I was reading a YouCubed, I found a variation called Four 4's. This one challenges students to find as many ways as possible to solve for a number using four 4's and only four 4's. This year I will begin with 24 and move to four 4's once they get the idea.
As I have difficulty remembering names (26th year teaching 170 plus students), I will have them make a name tent, but with a twist. At least three letters must be built with something they like. For Example, I use a book for the letter "O". I write the title of my most recent read book on it because I like to read. For the letter "N" I use a spool of thread and needle because I sew. For the letter "A" I draw a tent and some trees behind it because I like to camp. I make a new sign for each period each year. This shows students my limited artistic abilities. I do require them to use crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
I collect the name tents at the end of each class and I distribute them at the beginning of the next. As soon as I get their name correct three days in a row, they staple it to my wall. The first one and the last one in each class gets a treat. I should note that there is usually a pair of students that I always mix up. It frustrates me to no end! I usually end up sitting them together until my brain straightens it out. These two get a special prize at the end of the year for their patience. In classes where there are multiples of the same name, I use Mr./Ms. and last names. Thankfully I have not had the same first and last multiples!
In Entrepreneurship, I will start off with the game "Who Is a Millionaire?" It starts the conversation about entrepreneurship and possibilities. Time permitting, they start their name tent.
Edit: photos from today's name tents.
I gave up reviewing my syllabus the first day when I talked with my last class one year. They commented on how they have heard the same rules with various words for six periods. So I asked them what the rules should be and materials needed for class. As this took about half the class, I was at a loss for what to do next. Now I play a game like 24 which has them use their order of operations skills. As I was reading a YouCubed, I found a variation called Four 4's. This one challenges students to find as many ways as possible to solve for a number using four 4's and only four 4's. This year I will begin with 24 and move to four 4's once they get the idea.
As I have difficulty remembering names (26th year teaching 170 plus students), I will have them make a name tent, but with a twist. At least three letters must be built with something they like. For Example, I use a book for the letter "O". I write the title of my most recent read book on it because I like to read. For the letter "N" I use a spool of thread and needle because I sew. For the letter "A" I draw a tent and some trees behind it because I like to camp. I make a new sign for each period each year. This shows students my limited artistic abilities. I do require them to use crayons, colored pencils, or markers.
I collect the name tents at the end of each class and I distribute them at the beginning of the next. As soon as I get their name correct three days in a row, they staple it to my wall. The first one and the last one in each class gets a treat. I should note that there is usually a pair of students that I always mix up. It frustrates me to no end! I usually end up sitting them together until my brain straightens it out. These two get a special prize at the end of the year for their patience. In classes where there are multiples of the same name, I use Mr./Ms. and last names. Thankfully I have not had the same first and last multiples!
In Entrepreneurship, I will start off with the game "Who Is a Millionaire?" It starts the conversation about entrepreneurship and possibilities. Time permitting, they start their name tent.
Edit: photos from today's name tents.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Special Delivery
3 Aug 2017
Today I was called to the office for a special delivery...at least it was not the Principal's Office, but it was her Administrative Assistant's Office. Flowers. Not from my fiance, not from my son. Flowers as a thank you for teaching summer school. A family appreciated my work and I inspired their student to do well in Financial Math. It feels good to have recognition.
#ilovemath
#iteachmath
#MTBoS
Today I was called to the office for a special delivery...at least it was not the Principal's Office, but it was her Administrative Assistant's Office. Flowers. Not from my fiance, not from my son. Flowers as a thank you for teaching summer school. A family appreciated my work and I inspired their student to do well in Financial Math. It feels good to have recognition.
#ilovemath
#iteachmath
#MTBoS
Monday, July 31, 2017
31 July 2017
Okay, starting again. I tried to blog a few years ago, but I found I was not consistent. I was hesitant to use my personal or work email, and then I realized I could create a new account to use for blogging! As it is professional but also personal, it works for me. I thought about a blog when I started in the Twitter world. I found wonderful resources by teachers who had passion and wanted to journal their journey. Special thanks to #teach180 and #MTBoS for providing this connection. Sarah Carter nee Hagan at Math=Love . Her work lead me to more people and many materials I have used for the last two years.
I have changed subjects, sort of. I teach Financial Math and Entreneurship now. There are many teaching resources, but I have not found many that fit my teaching style. I know I want to stay with interactive notebooks and I want the math practice to be more than just a worksheet or problems out of the book. I am looking for creative ways to design my own folding handouts that are colorful and still hold a purpose for students to learn. I hope to take what I have learned and start blogging my journey.
Financial Math - a blending of algebra 2 skills in the context of financial literacy. We cover the following topics: budgeting, employment basics (methods for being paid and understanding what is on a pay stub), stock market, banking services (checking & savings), automobile ownership, credit & loans, independent living, saving for retirement, & funding post secondary education. About 50% of my time must be spend in "lab" - meaning not working on worksheets or textbook problems. I am beginning to teach spreadsheets so students have more open-ended answers. Lots of ideas and now to start finalizing them!
My new subject is Entrepreneurship. This class blends business and economics. Students form teams to select a product to sell to their peers. While they learn about small business ownership, they also learn the basic principles of economics. This is a task and I will blog about these experiences later.
If you have ideas or resources for me to read, let me know!
Okay, starting again. I tried to blog a few years ago, but I found I was not consistent. I was hesitant to use my personal or work email, and then I realized I could create a new account to use for blogging! As it is professional but also personal, it works for me. I thought about a blog when I started in the Twitter world. I found wonderful resources by teachers who had passion and wanted to journal their journey. Special thanks to #teach180 and #MTBoS for providing this connection. Sarah Carter nee Hagan at Math=Love . Her work lead me to more people and many materials I have used for the last two years.
I have changed subjects, sort of. I teach Financial Math and Entreneurship now. There are many teaching resources, but I have not found many that fit my teaching style. I know I want to stay with interactive notebooks and I want the math practice to be more than just a worksheet or problems out of the book. I am looking for creative ways to design my own folding handouts that are colorful and still hold a purpose for students to learn. I hope to take what I have learned and start blogging my journey.
Financial Math - a blending of algebra 2 skills in the context of financial literacy. We cover the following topics: budgeting, employment basics (methods for being paid and understanding what is on a pay stub), stock market, banking services (checking & savings), automobile ownership, credit & loans, independent living, saving for retirement, & funding post secondary education. About 50% of my time must be spend in "lab" - meaning not working on worksheets or textbook problems. I am beginning to teach spreadsheets so students have more open-ended answers. Lots of ideas and now to start finalizing them!
My new subject is Entrepreneurship. This class blends business and economics. Students form teams to select a product to sell to their peers. While they learn about small business ownership, they also learn the basic principles of economics. This is a task and I will blog about these experiences later.
If you have ideas or resources for me to read, let me know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)