REFLECTION ZONE: Hopes and Dreams

Hopes and Dreams

Make a difference in my students' lives

Inspire growth mindsets to cultivate

Use directing, redirecting, and reflecting teacher language

Be a Mirror, not a judge

Help create a strong sense of belonging in my classroom for ALL students

Help students learn the value in hard work, strong effort, risk taking, and learning from mistakes

Remember the Power of my Words, and use them for good

Help create resilient, confident individuals

Take time for me and my baby when needed

REFLECTION ZONE: A Fresh New School Year

This past week we were officially back at school.  We had 3 days of in-service, an open house to meet our students and their parents, and 2 days with the kids.  While it is a little stressful to get everything done before our open house, it is still a magical and motivating time.  Our team met, our 6th grade advisory met, our building met, and we worked in our rooms to get plans in place for our first days.  Even though schedules were printed until the first day and the 6th graders followed them from the first day (new this year) we made it through with two successful days.  I am looking forward to a great 2011-2012 school year!

REFLECTION ZONE: Mini Action Research - Learning Targets

Overall I thought the learning targets were helpful to my students.  They gave the class a sense of purpose from the beginning.  They were age appropriate and student friendly as they were written for sixth graders to understand. They were written as “I can” statements that they should be able to do by the end of the hour or for sure by the end of the chapter.  Even if they did not understand the learning target initially, they were aware of the clear expectation on each of them to accomplish.  The learning targets seemed to better prepare students for the challenges ahead and provided a clear focus.  Students were not left wondering what we were going to do each day.  Students did not waste time trying to guess or figure out the topic as the targets were introduced at the beginning of each lesson and revisited at the end of the lesson and throughout the unit of work.  We reread them aloud before quizzes or the test.  Students’ pronunciation of vocabulary words such as proportion seemed to improve.  Key concepts were intentionally repeated from their mouths, not just mine.  For example, many students read the target, “I know the word of means multiply in math.”  They heard that from me as well as their classmates and sometimes from themselves.  I think the targets enhanced my instruction as they provided a clear purpose of what was expected each day.  Students did turn back and read them for extra help in their learning process.  They were proud to see the chain that made it quite some distance around my classroom.  I believe utilizing the learning targets had a positive impact on my students’ understanding and mathematics achievement. 

REFLECTION ZONE: The Energy Bus

I have kept my Energy Bus bulletin board up as we read a rule and the students talk about what that rule could mean for them in their personal lives.  A few teachers who have stopped in my room have inquired about the bulletin board, and this has started conversations.  I am trying to keep the principles learned from this book alive for myself, at school and in my personal life.  I remember some of the quotes from this book.  The one that really keeps me going is "Too Blessed to be Stressed."  Even though I feel stressed and worry about the people that matter the most, I repeat this saying and it helps calm me a bit. I also used the quote, "The goal is not to be better than anyone else but rather be better than you were yesterday" when we prepped our students for the MAPS test last week.  We talked about not comparing your target to someone else's target or not to compare their RIT score with someone else's RIT score because they are not taking identical tests.  Each student is starting at a different spot or a different number and getting different questions, so it is foolish to compare.  Each student needs to concentrate on him/herself and meeting his/her target. While I tried to make this point clear, I also informed the students after the test as to what the 6th grade benchmark score is.  I did not do this for them to compare themselves to others, but more so they know if they are at, below, or above grade level.  Knowing this information might help a student or a parent see the greater need for their child to attend supplementary summer school in hopes to make gains.  I find myself continuing to keep the learning I gained from the book alive in my daily life.

REFLECTION ZONE: iPod Touch

Tonight I went to an optional meeting to learn more about the iPod touch.  I committed to be part of a group who will begin researching and evaluating apps for educational purposes.  I am excited, but it looks like there is so much to learn and so many apps.  I am excited for this new challenge, but a little skeptical since I don't seem to have much free time.  I think it will be an enjoyable experience, and overall I am looking forward to learning along side my coworkers, and improving my technology skills.  I am hopeful it will enhance my students' learning in the near future as well.

REFLECTION ZONE: 8th Grade Speaker

                      TIM SCOTT'S HOLOCAUST PRESENTATION
 

PUT OUT THE FLAME

           

Yesterday the entire 8th grade class took time out of their day - 4 hours, to listen to a guest speaker on the Holocaust.  Since I am teaching two sections of Pre-Algebra this year I attended the speaker for the first time.  I am glad I made sub plans and took the time to attend.  It was during his presentation that I was reminded how powerful words can be.  The speaker, Tim Scott took the listeners on a journey.  While sharing Holocaust history, he told a story and had each student picture him/herself as the main character.  He had each student picture his/her own mom, dad, sibling, and grandparents as he told this story.  He brought many students to tears with the words he shared.  He also made his message hit home, by asking students how the spirit of the Holocaust is still alive today... in the United States, in Wisconsin, in Osceola, and yes, in their school.   He shared letters written by previous Osceola 8th graders that spelled it out.  His point was clear that the Holocaust began because of people thinking they were better than others, and yes that still exists today.  He made students look in their mirror and think about what each is doing to keep the spirit alive and how we can put out that flame of prejudice, racism, and misunderstanding.  I was impressed by his presentation, and I thought the kids connected to his message.  Words have power.

REFLECTION ZONE: The Energy Bus

This month I made a small bulletin board called the Energy Bus.  I posted the 10 rules to fuel your life and some bus tickets with positive messages around the rules.  I try to share one rule each day, (time permitting) and we talk about what the rule means for them. It keeps the positive energy flowing!