Let us discuss behaviors.
If we were to put behaviors on a continuum you may notice that students who struggle academically and those who are academically advanced tend to follow some of the same behaviors. Spacing off, acting out, blurting out, giving up, disrupting others, fading into the wallpaper to not be noticed, wandering the room.... Just as not all strugglers exhibit all of these traits, neither will the higher students. As educators, we need to be fully aware of these behaviors and understand where they come from just as we do for the strugglers.
*Oversensibilities
*Lack of emotional maturity
*Socially awkward
*Tendencies toward perfectionism
*Lack of focus when bored
*Propensity toward black and white, just/fair thinking
*Anxiety...
Many times it is more difficult to be patient with these students because we expect them to be able to control more than they can at times. I encourage you to see them as you would the child who struggles and be ready to tackle their behaviors with the same thoughtfulness and care.
You have a toolbox already in your back pocket that you use for your struggling students. Pull it out because kids are kids, most of what you do for the strugglers will work for the high ability students.
Syncing synapses and building braincells in all students!
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Setting Students Up for a Successful Year... part 3
Focus on First Day(s) Lessons
What are you teaching and why?
There are so many items that need to be taught that first day...but not EVERYTHING needs to be taught.
Example: I don't need to teach cafeteria behaviors as my first lesson of the day. It would stick in their heads if we do that when we go to the cafeteria. I may pre-teach a bit right before heading out but the bulk of the instruction about appropriate cafeteria behaviors is best suited to be taught in the cafeteria.
Brainstorm a list. Then rank or order according to your day.
Here are some of the items on my list:
classroom expectations (1)
procedures for .... (3)
entering and exiting the room (2)
restroom/nurse/office/resource room/library...(goes w/1)
Figure out ways to engage your students in the process of learning these important items.
Lesson Classroom Expectations:
If you read the first two parts of this series you know how we start the first day. From that point, we go outside with a huge ball, jump rope, and maybe a couple other non-related items. I tell them to play "The Game." No explanations! They will look at you like you are crazy or they are completely confused. It is okay. Just keep repeating, play the game. Someone eventually will step up and be the leader. After they "play" for a few minutes. Call them to sit down and discuss how they knew what to do? How did it feel to not know what to do? Did everyone feel the same or believe it should be played that way? Turn it to...how do you know how to play soccer, softball...? There are rules. Then explain that is why we need rules in school. We all need to understand the expectations to function as a large group. We also discuss the difference between home and school.
Return inside and develop classroom expectations together. I have a poster that says LEARN down the left side. (4th/5th grade) We discuss how we want it to look, feel and sound in the room, then brainstorm words/phrases to go with LEARN (acrostic) for our classroom "rules." They all sign it and make their own copy to go home for parent signature.
Lessons are best if they are taught right where & when they happen.
Teach recess procedures such as how to exit the building when it is time to go to recess. Procedures for playground equipment can be taught quickly. Finally, lining up and enterance into the building.
These are just the start to what you do everyday. Think it through and design a plan of implementation.
Lastly, remember to revisit the procedures the next day and again a couple times in the next two weeks.
YEAH!! You made it through the first day!!
Now...What is the rest of the week going to look like?
If you want a great resource with very specific items to consider and think over, check out the second part of this series. It contains a link to a book near the end that will take you step by step into a successful beginning of the year.
Why is this series on a differentiation blog?? Well, you CANNOT run a successful differentiated or competency-based classroom without clear expectations and routines. GO BE GREAT!
Kim
STEM? NOT!
Forewarning...this post is not about differentiation...and very much about a frustration, I am feeling.
It is the catchword of education right now. If you mention it in a blog, Pinterest board, lesson then it is an immediate download, & liked a few hundred times. You get the gist! STEM is the bee's knees right now.
UNFORTUNATELY....many are labeling items as STEM or STEAM and it isn't.
My frustration,
**Too many times, good strategies, educational techniques, etc. go to the way of "that didn't work" when it is diluted, used incorrectly, and slapped as a label on anything that might come close.
I see this happening with STEM.
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
STEM is NOT just having unconnected lessons or activities for each subject.
STEM is NOT an experiment.
STEM is NOT just opening a computer and coding.
STEM is NOT cutesy activities.
STEM is NOT a prescribed step by step lesson where all students are going to end up with the same outcome.
SO WHAT IS IT THEN....
It is integrating the subjects to show that life isn't put into individual boxes.
It is looking for problems that can be solved using knowledge and study using all these subjects.
It is creatively producing a solution by engineering new or adjusted products.
It is using each discipline to enhance the learning, producing, and reporting a solution to the problem set forth.
I think the biggest misunderstanding is that you can separate out the disciplines or make it controlled.
You as the facilitating educator, have a great opportunity to ask questions, watch great minds develop remarkable solutions that may be completely new or a re-envisioned old solution. Give the ultimate answer to the question, "Why do I need to learn this anyway?" When we give our students the time to analyze, strategize, synthesis, and create...they answer that question for themselves while developing problem-solving strategies rather than expecting the world to solve their problems for themselves. I don't know about you, BUT those are the students I want to send out into the future.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Anxiety and Our Students
Did you know that Europe is calling the next generation the "Anxiety Generation"? I did not until TODAY!
Just went to a whirlwind of a class today. It was presented by Jessica Minahan about her co-authored book, The Behavior Code.
There were some eye-opening moments. HOWEVER, what was not surprising was not surprising entailed the notion that our kids are coming to us with anxiety and low executive functioning skills. She gave me answers to some of the issues, I see in my classroom....
*inconsistent reactions
*lower short-term memory issues
*why incentives don't work for all kids
*MOST IMPORTANTLY....words to use that are proactive and positive
33.9% of 13-19 year-olds (THAT IS 1 in 3!!!) suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. WOW!!
DID YOU KNOW....Your IQ drops 13-20 points when anxious.
Many of our natural or taught practices are not helping the situation.
*Moving closer to be in close proximity
*the way we question or talk to the child:
+ DETAILed directions .... all those little steps we think of as "normal or known" need to be spelled out for these kiddos.
+Look for the trigger and underdeveloped skills to determine best strategies to teach
These are just a sampling of what the book addresses.
I cannot wait to delve into the book more fully as I work to be a better teacher for the generation we are teaching. What about you?!?!?!
Saturday, August 5, 2017
How to handle the way beyond groups in your classroom?
Meet Justin....
I remember being a bit taken aback. Don't remember my exact response. What I didn't realize at the time was how many teachers feel that exact way. Academically advanced students make them nervous. My hope is that this post will give you strategies to strengthen your resolve to teaching this students with the same vigor we give those who struggle.
As a society, we buy into the myth that students who are academically gifted don't need additional help because they are beyond proficient. They pick up the content as presented usually quickly or on thier own. So, we are not worried about them.
Did you know that they are the #1 subgroup that are underperforming?? Why don't we consider this as an issue? ANSWER: When these students underperform they are still proficient in most cases. If you asked the child above if school was difficult he will say, "No." If you asked him if he learned how to learn, he'd say, "No." What is our job? To make sure all are proficient or teach students how to learn, so when we are not there to feed it to them they can still learn.
LETS GET TO TEACHING ALL STUDENTS TO NOT UNDERPERFORM!!
First off, realize whether or not your para or other support staff who teach guided reading have the questioning and out of the box thinking needed to truly push your highest students. If they can...GO FOR IT, give them the group. If not, give them the on level group. Following the questions provided will be perfectly fine for this group. Your high or beyond group needs your expert question skills and ability to take what is stated by students to dig deeper, to think.
When they are done, what do you have them do? More? Is the more better, deeper or just more of the same? Below are some books that I have found to be very useful in creating depth of knowledge. I have the students work through a section as a small group or as partners. They need your guidance as you check in regularly. I also find ways to engage them in book clubs so that they are reading for the pure love of reading and discussing. Some items below may challenge some of their thinking. These are a sampling of what could work. Basically, take time to find something that works for your students.
Math:
Reading:
I don't like to give them just MORE paper to do. So, I mix the above with games.
* Dice games - see my post on Dot Cube Games for ideas.
* You can look for games on your favorite website then check a couple grade levels above.
* There are many books and resources for reading games.
*You can also use any game board and task cards. This is nice because if they know the game rules already it takes less time to get started. All you have done is changed the questions to level appropriate.
*Hands-On Equations is a set of manipulatives that keep students engaged as they experience algebra in a physical manner. This is simply deepening their knowledge of algebra.
*The other "game" I find easy to differentiate and stretch the students who need a challenge is what I call "Treasure Hunt." Instead of playing "Scoot" with cards where everyone is using the same cards and given a set time limit, students wonder the room looking for the numbers or color that they have on thier page. This way, I can increase the difficulty for those who need it.
The following are various YouTube videos you may find interesting.
Listen to what the kids are saying:
Behavioral side:
6 tips for classroom teachers:
6 tips for classroom teachers:
One of my all time favorites...It demonstrates just how varied students are.
Another classroom teachers thoughts:
Kim
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Setting Students Up for a Successful Year... part 2
After that first moment comes the first day....
What do you have planned?
Why do you have it planned?
What purpose is the first day of school?
How does it lead to the rest of your year?
Lets Get the Year Rolling to a FANTASTIC start!
Have you sat down and thoroughly thought through your plan of implimentation for the moment the students are in your presence?
Step 1
Spend the time envisioning what you want it to look like.
*Where are you standing?
*What are you saying?
*How do the students know what you want from them?
Now...write it out. Script it out. Be clear on exactly how it is going to go.
ME...I would write over and over, don't forget to SMILE. Not that I don't smile or am unkind, but when I get focused on what I am doing or what is next, my face is more blank than welcoming. This is misinterpreted as being unfriendly. You know yourself and the places you need to emphasize in your plan.
Here are some items to keep in mind:
*Where will you be first seeing your students?
If they come to you/the room, plan to be outside greeting them with a warm smile, touch and directions. Remember, they don't know what you expect from them unless it is stated.
*While you are greeting each child, what are the others doing?
Have a get to know you or easy assignment on the desks. Express to your students how you expect them to be working while you are greeting others.
Here is an example video:
*If they are not going in one by one, how will you lead them to what you want them to do when they enter?
I am an odd ball or at least some of my practices seem to be....My students figure this out the very first moment of the very first day, because, we sit on the floor in the hall way. Want to know more read my first post in this series. Basically, I start them off on the first day explaining the expectations that start before walking into the room.
*What are the intentional activities for the day? Why?
If your activities are fillers, things will get out of hand. What do you need them to know, what information do you need? What materials need to be given out? How do you plan to conduct each of these "activities?"
Do what you did for the greeting...thoroughly plan.
Okay, so I didn't do this my first year for every activity. I will tell you, the places I did it for, it worked. The ones I didn't...failure. It takes time. Then each year you tweak and add items to strengthen that first day.
IDEAS:
**If you want to teach schoolwide behaviors - walk the school...stop at the spots you need to discuss. The best time to teach each behavior set is when it comes up incontext. However, some like, bathroom behaviors can be taught ahead of time. I don't wait to explain to a child who is sick my policy or "GRAB A CAN AND GO!" We go over it in general prior.
**Need to pass out textbooks/markers or other materials. Do you have students doing jobs? Go over jobs first. Then your passers can start by helping you. ALSO think about how you organize the materials prior to passing them out. Since I don't have assigned seats but do have assigned books, I organize all of the items they need into one pile per student. Once we have played our find the right fit desk game, we learn about their number. Then they pick up the pile that matches. All the textbooks, book box....are numbered the same in that pile.
**Play games or watch short videos to introduce concepts like teamwork, why we need "rules." This hooks the students. Otherwise, it is you yapping at them A LOT the first days.
Step 2
You have a plan. It is written. Now walk it out. Stage it. Stand where you will stand, then at least in your mind if not outloud rehearse what you want to say.
Step 3
Gather materials you need. Be prepared.
Step 4
Relax, you got this!!
What are "activities" you do for the first day and why? I am interesting in knowing. I love to share ideas. This will be the subject of the next blog post in this series.
A FANTASTIC resource is Harry Wong Youtube videos and books. I am rereading The First Days of School. Always can pick up something new. Tons of ideas. Unit C discusses how to effectively set up the classroom for success from the start.
Kim
What do you have planned?
Why do you have it planned?
What purpose is the first day of school?
How does it lead to the rest of your year?
Lets Get the Year Rolling to a FANTASTIC start!
Have you sat down and thoroughly thought through your plan of implimentation for the moment the students are in your presence?
Step 1
Spend the time envisioning what you want it to look like.
*Where are you standing?
*What are you saying?
*How do the students know what you want from them?
Now...write it out. Script it out. Be clear on exactly how it is going to go.
ME...I would write over and over, don't forget to SMILE. Not that I don't smile or am unkind, but when I get focused on what I am doing or what is next, my face is more blank than welcoming. This is misinterpreted as being unfriendly. You know yourself and the places you need to emphasize in your plan.
Here are some items to keep in mind:
*Where will you be first seeing your students?
If they come to you/the room, plan to be outside greeting them with a warm smile, touch and directions. Remember, they don't know what you expect from them unless it is stated.
*While you are greeting each child, what are the others doing?
Have a get to know you or easy assignment on the desks. Express to your students how you expect them to be working while you are greeting others.
Here is an example video:
*If they are not going in one by one, how will you lead them to what you want them to do when they enter?
I am an odd ball or at least some of my practices seem to be....My students figure this out the very first moment of the very first day, because, we sit on the floor in the hall way. Want to know more read my first post in this series. Basically, I start them off on the first day explaining the expectations that start before walking into the room.
*What are the intentional activities for the day? Why?
If your activities are fillers, things will get out of hand. What do you need them to know, what information do you need? What materials need to be given out? How do you plan to conduct each of these "activities?"
Do what you did for the greeting...thoroughly plan.
Okay, so I didn't do this my first year for every activity. I will tell you, the places I did it for, it worked. The ones I didn't...failure. It takes time. Then each year you tweak and add items to strengthen that first day.
IDEAS:
**If you want to teach schoolwide behaviors - walk the school...stop at the spots you need to discuss. The best time to teach each behavior set is when it comes up incontext. However, some like, bathroom behaviors can be taught ahead of time. I don't wait to explain to a child who is sick my policy or "GRAB A CAN AND GO!" We go over it in general prior.
**Need to pass out textbooks/markers or other materials. Do you have students doing jobs? Go over jobs first. Then your passers can start by helping you. ALSO think about how you organize the materials prior to passing them out. Since I don't have assigned seats but do have assigned books, I organize all of the items they need into one pile per student. Once we have played our find the right fit desk game, we learn about their number. Then they pick up the pile that matches. All the textbooks, book box....are numbered the same in that pile.
**Play games or watch short videos to introduce concepts like teamwork, why we need "rules." This hooks the students. Otherwise, it is you yapping at them A LOT the first days.
Step 2
You have a plan. It is written. Now walk it out. Stage it. Stand where you will stand, then at least in your mind if not outloud rehearse what you want to say.
Step 3
Gather materials you need. Be prepared.
Step 4
Relax, you got this!!
What are "activities" you do for the first day and why? I am interesting in knowing. I love to share ideas. This will be the subject of the next blog post in this series.
Kim
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
IT'S 3AM!!
Good Morning.....
The bladder woke me up (1:47am and then the rain, ligthning and thunder kept me laying here trying to fall back to sleep! Then the brain wonders....
Angels Among Us by Alabama
Random thought #1 -
God sends angels to deliver His message everytime....EVERYTIME...I am doubting myself, wondering why I even try, or am beating myself up with negative internal discussions of the names I've been called or the reaccuring hurt from gossip.
Last night my husband came home from hospital calls and told me that a gentleman he was talking with told him that I am a Master teacher. The words I needed after a morning of dealing with feelings that constantly plague me from a person I respect for his honesty and experience. Now, it has only been in the last couple years (of 27) that I have forced myself to believe that I am decent at working with children. I knew I was unique in my teaching style but never truly believed I was a "master." Even though if I look back at my history....
*Many parent compliments
*Admin telling me over and over
*Receiving honors....
There are always reasons why the negative has to be more true than the simple compliment.
*They are just being kind.
*They only saw 5 minutes of my 71/2 hour day.
*At church...they are just being nice because I'm the pastor's wife and just standing here.
Self confidence is not my strength. Working on it.
The important part is that I recognize when God is working to help me along this journey. I don't dismiss the words especially when they occur during times of doubt and deep self-reflection.
Random thought #2 -
I pray for the students I may have in the fall. We typically don't have our class lists until a week or so prior to returning. So, I pray for the wisdom of my principal to place in my care the students who could most benefit from my teaching. We all have specific gifts that can help some and hinder others. So....I was praying for these nameless students.
Random thought #3 -
Then I remembered how lucky I was to have such a vast experience because my father was in the Air Force.
Sunday an older man came to me and said, I know your dad was in the military but where did you really grow up. LOVE THIS QUESTION!! Answer: everywhere and nowhere. A typical Air Force Brat answer. "No, I mean, where did you grow up?" So...this wasn't going to be a quick get out of it answer. I explained I lived all over the world; had lived in 3 states before I was in school; attended 5 elementaries, 2 Jr. Highs, 3 High schools, & 2 colleges. He was amazed and asked more questions. I happily answered and the discussion went on to what a blessing that experience must have been.
The blessings are numerous and have made me the teacher I am today.
*I cringe when someone says, "They have moved every year. They are going to be low." or "They have been in so many different schools, I wonder how many gaps they are going to have?" Been there...grew up doing it and guess what...I turned out fine! Because of my experience, I am more flexible and understand other cultures better than many people.
* I understand the "new kid."
* I have pictures from all over the world that I use when I teach. Even teaching when teaching science I pull out pictures to demonstrate landforms and forces in motion. It hooks the students in a way others cannot.
And #4-
YEAH....rain 💦💧 for the crops....now let me sleep😴! It's now 4:30am. Oh...it's July...I do have a School Improvement meeting in a few short hours. BUT I can come home and take a nap. 😊
This blog was completely random and I pray somewhat coherent. However, truly has not much to do about anything other than giving me something to do while the torrential rains continue.
Kim
The bladder woke me up (1:47am and then the rain, ligthning and thunder kept me laying here trying to fall back to sleep! Then the brain wonders....
Random thought #1 -
God sends angels to deliver His message everytime....EVERYTIME...I am doubting myself, wondering why I even try, or am beating myself up with negative internal discussions of the names I've been called or the reaccuring hurt from gossip.
Last night my husband came home from hospital calls and told me that a gentleman he was talking with told him that I am a Master teacher. The words I needed after a morning of dealing with feelings that constantly plague me from a person I respect for his honesty and experience. Now, it has only been in the last couple years (of 27) that I have forced myself to believe that I am decent at working with children. I knew I was unique in my teaching style but never truly believed I was a "master." Even though if I look back at my history....
*Many parent compliments
*Admin telling me over and over
*Receiving honors....
There are always reasons why the negative has to be more true than the simple compliment.
*They are just being kind.
*They only saw 5 minutes of my 71/2 hour day.
*At church...they are just being nice because I'm the pastor's wife and just standing here.
Self confidence is not my strength. Working on it.
The important part is that I recognize when God is working to help me along this journey. I don't dismiss the words especially when they occur during times of doubt and deep self-reflection.
Random thought #2 -
I pray for the students I may have in the fall. We typically don't have our class lists until a week or so prior to returning. So, I pray for the wisdom of my principal to place in my care the students who could most benefit from my teaching. We all have specific gifts that can help some and hinder others. So....I was praying for these nameless students.
Random thought #3 -
Then I remembered how lucky I was to have such a vast experience because my father was in the Air Force.
Sunday an older man came to me and said, I know your dad was in the military but where did you really grow up. LOVE THIS QUESTION!! Answer: everywhere and nowhere. A typical Air Force Brat answer. "No, I mean, where did you grow up?" So...this wasn't going to be a quick get out of it answer. I explained I lived all over the world; had lived in 3 states before I was in school; attended 5 elementaries, 2 Jr. Highs, 3 High schools, & 2 colleges. He was amazed and asked more questions. I happily answered and the discussion went on to what a blessing that experience must have been.
The blessings are numerous and have made me the teacher I am today.
*I cringe when someone says, "They have moved every year. They are going to be low." or "They have been in so many different schools, I wonder how many gaps they are going to have?" Been there...grew up doing it and guess what...I turned out fine! Because of my experience, I am more flexible and understand other cultures better than many people.
* I understand the "new kid."
* I have pictures from all over the world that I use when I teach. Even teaching when teaching science I pull out pictures to demonstrate landforms and forces in motion. It hooks the students in a way others cannot.
And #4-
YEAH....rain 💦💧 for the crops....now let me sleep😴! It's now 4:30am. Oh...it's July...I do have a School Improvement meeting in a few short hours. BUT I can come home and take a nap. 😊
This blog was completely random and I pray somewhat coherent. However, truly has not much to do about anything other than giving me something to do while the torrential rains continue.
Kim
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