The KC Teaching Optimists: December 2015

As 2015 draws to a close, I'd like to take some time to reflect on changes I made teaching this year and ideas I discovered. Secondary Sara had a wonderful idea of teacher-authors doing a "What Secondary Teachers Have Learned in 2015" blog hop, and I am stoked to participate! My teaching practices constantly change, which makes teaching challenging and fun, and made this post a breeze to do. Here are my Top Six A-ha! moments for 2015:

#1. "Grade" as the kids go.
This a-ha moment came when kids were working on graphing. As I circulated the room, I would stop to confer with a student, and by conferring, I mean look at their work and immediately give feedback. Right away, I could see if a kid forgot the title, didn't number the y-axis by intervals, or switched the IV and the DV. It made so much more sense to me to give this instant feedback, instead of toting all of the graphs home, grading them, making comments on them, handing the graphs back, and then watching kids recycle or throw away the papers. If a student did everything correctly, I drew a star on the top of the page and they handed it in. If a student made a mistake, I would talk them through it. Almost everybody would ended the class period with a star on top. When then next class began to do their graphs, I quickly recorded the grades of the previous class, and then repeated conferring with the new class. This worked so well for me, I've done the same type of grading with other assignments. Sometimes I even focus on only a few questions, usually the harder ones, and then don't even grade the simple, low-level questions. (Shhh...don't let this secret out!)

***See the bottom of the post for a product to help kids practice graphing!

#2. Do more pairing/sharing and give kids time to talk.
With my students this year, "pairing/sharing", "turn and talk to a neighbor", or "explain to a shoulder partner" has worked so much better than whole-class questioning and answering. These methods ensure that most (I won't exaggerate and say all!) students have the opportunity to explain their ideas and get feedback from somebody. Often, after partner sharing, I'll give an opportunity to share ideas with the whole class, and I do get more participation than if I begin by whole class sharing. You do have to be vigilant as a facilitator- walk around the room, listen in on conversations, sometimes randomly call on a group to share out.

Collaborative posters comparing cell organelles to things in various locations

Similar to partner sharing is partner drawing or diagramming. For example, after students work together to draw a diagram showing what happens during photosynthesis, hang up all the diagrams and have students do a "gallery walk"- basically looking at all the other diagrams. Give each student a small sticky note, sticker, or piece of colored tape to put on a diagram as a vote for their favorite. Look at the Top 3 together and discuss why they are the best. Super easy, and has the benefit of positive reinforcement from peers.

#3. Tennis Balls vs. Felt and Zip Ties
I had seen this done in another teacher's classroom and loved the idea: putting tennis balls on the bottom of chairs. This idea works in so many ways. For one, there is less noise as students move chairs around. Also, the floors look amazing without the scrapes and scuffs that would normally be there by mid-year. Also, I have several balls readily available should the need arise. (This has also proven to be a drawback...the balls come off, and my boys just can't resist throwing them in between classes.) So while I thought this idea was great, another teacher modified the idea in a brilliant way. She cut up squares of felt and zip-tied them to her chairs' feet. It looks pretty cool, and she didn't have to keep hitting up the local college's tennis coach for old tennis balls. Her daughter set up the chairs in an hour while she was getting her classroom ready. As far as I know, the felt has lasted a full semester and she also has the benefit of still shiny floors and dampened noise levels. Let's hear it for anything that helps keep the noise down!

#4. Skip the glue- use tape instead!

I love using an interactive notebook, but I always had kids gluing them shut. It's bound to happen, no matter how often you tell them, "Dot, dot, not a lot!" This year, I invested about $25 in some cool donut shaped tape dispensers. Don't waste your money on those. They broke the first time we used them. I emailed the company (you know them, the ones who make the "good" clear tape.) They were no help. But then I found some dispensers at the Dollar Tree. Who knew? They've worked well- I bought six and they haven't broken. My office lets me have as many tape refills as I need. Taping instead of gluing is faster, less messy, and less of a hassle. Such a small switch makes a huge difference. Take the plunge- use tape, not glue!

#5 Freebies abound!
Who doesn't enjoy getting something for free?!?! Whether you find a usable resource or get inspired by them, free things abound on the internet! I've started a Pinterest board specifically for middle school freebies! Feel "free" to check it out!
https://www.pinterest.com/kaichar/middle-school-freebies/

#6. Buy a Pin Art toy!
My daughter asked for one of these fun toys, and I was skeptical that she would use it after the initial fun of making a few hand shapes. I can happily report that we have played with this thing almost daily! We grab items, make the shape, and then guess what the mystery item was. We can usually tell, but sometimes the smaller items are tricky. This is just a fun toy- I'm actually thinking about getting one for my classroom. If only I can think of a way to prevent the boys from making obscene gestures in it...