There is a ton that I need to get done before we start up on Wednesday. First and foremost is figuring out what I am teaching. We ended a unit just before break, and now need to move onward. There are some social studies topics coming but I need to lay them out. I've also got to decide what novel study books will come next. I had 9 books going this past round, but still have a few in my library that I haven't used. Additionally we have a book room to access. Question is which books and why.
Just to make things interesting I have some work to score. These are the videos that the kids made. They shouldn't take that long, but it needs to get done. I need to start with a clean plate.
Lots coming, I just need to do it. Here's to getting it done.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Book Projects
Some teachers rue having students do book projects. This typically means having kids do a book report. I've opened the options for them, and I do them very infrequently. I can have kids show what they know in other ways, and don't want to burn through larger projects (project fatigue).
Heading into the holiday break I had kids working on their first book project. It was useful since I really didn't want to start a new unit just before the holiday- and I also didn't want to throw away 2-3 days. Instead we were making posters and book covers to advertise their favorite books thus far. The results have been pretty amazing. The artwork has been great, and the writing about the book has matched.
Like any project in my room, it isn't done when I thought it would be... But I'm pleased with where it is going.
Heading into the holiday break I had kids working on their first book project. It was useful since I really didn't want to start a new unit just before the holiday- and I also didn't want to throw away 2-3 days. Instead we were making posters and book covers to advertise their favorite books thus far. The results have been pretty amazing. The artwork has been great, and the writing about the book has matched.
Like any project in my room, it isn't done when I thought it would be... But I'm pleased with where it is going.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
When Projects Go Well
Projects are an investment. They are rewarding yet also frustrating. They require time to put together and don't always yield what you are hoping for.
Over the past 3 years I've done a project where students create an advertisement for a region of the US that native Americans settled in. I'll admit that when I started it in year 1 I didn't have a solid handle of how to get kids to the end I wanted. I said "here's the problem- find the best region" and let them solve it. It was the equivalent of dropping kids in the pool and saying "swim." Ultimately I ended up helping a majority, some far more than others.
Over time I've implemented more scaffolding, laying the project out in a more linear fashion. Now we start with the over arching question from the jump- checking in on it as we mine for information, and do some comparisons. We also work more systematically- gathering information, working in reading and thinking skills along the way in a planned fashion.
As they're finishing their photostory projects, I can see the fruits of that effort. We have developed thought out projects that are really good, particularly for their first time working on this size of project. I am genuinely excited to go through each am provide feedback- even if it will take some time.
Over the past 3 years I've done a project where students create an advertisement for a region of the US that native Americans settled in. I'll admit that when I started it in year 1 I didn't have a solid handle of how to get kids to the end I wanted. I said "here's the problem- find the best region" and let them solve it. It was the equivalent of dropping kids in the pool and saying "swim." Ultimately I ended up helping a majority, some far more than others.
Over time I've implemented more scaffolding, laying the project out in a more linear fashion. Now we start with the over arching question from the jump- checking in on it as we mine for information, and do some comparisons. We also work more systematically- gathering information, working in reading and thinking skills along the way in a planned fashion.
As they're finishing their photostory projects, I can see the fruits of that effort. We have developed thought out projects that are really good, particularly for their first time working on this size of project. I am genuinely excited to go through each am provide feedback- even if it will take some time.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Reading Novels
We are finishing our second round of novel study. I'm pleasantly surprised at the progress we've made. We can describe characters and identify story elements. We can make predictions, and provide evidence.
What we still need work on is writing at greater length. Moreover, I need to do a better job modeling what that looks like. I need to give kids a better model of how to link ideas together, knowing that too much is actually better than being brief. My kids, probably like your kids, like to be done so they can move on. Sometimes you need to linger.
What we still need work on is writing at greater length. Moreover, I need to do a better job modeling what that looks like. I need to give kids a better model of how to link ideas together, knowing that too much is actually better than being brief. My kids, probably like your kids, like to be done so they can move on. Sometimes you need to linger.
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