The summer has been a time of relaxing with my family, and not doing any thinking about school. If you know me...summer, is summer. A time to sit around the pool, play cards with friends and do nothing.
The last few summers though, I've been with the WBT All-Stars traveling around our great nation spreading the WBT message in conferences from Louisiana to Missouri to northern California. Everywhere we go, we are seeing one thing...passionate teachers.
The last few weeks has been just like the other summers. A high energy time of teachers bouncing off the walls to please Coach B! What a time it has been. These teachers are pumped up to get in their classrooms, roll up their sleeves, and get the job done!
Power to the Teachers!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Post Testing Thoughts
Well, the testing season is over and what a time it was; we all made it! During the last post, I mentioned "Dressing for Success". I felt great about this idea, but it didn't fly well with the kids. I led by example and wore a tie each day, but that is where it stopped. Maybe next year!
As I reflect on this season of testing, the only thing I can think of is...WOW...what a great time it was for the kids! They feel super successful and I couldn't be happier. Prove It! was the answer to all of the issues, along with the other test taking strategies we used. Once we were done, I took a poll about the Prove It! game to see how many kids had fixed an answer because of this checking process. Fifteen kids said that they fixed an answer after thinking through the Prove It! process. 'Nough Said!
As I reflect on this season of testing, the only thing I can think of is...WOW...what a great time it was for the kids! They feel super successful and I couldn't be happier. Prove It! was the answer to all of the issues, along with the other test taking strategies we used. Once we were done, I took a poll about the Prove It! game to see how many kids had fixed an answer because of this checking process. Fifteen kids said that they fixed an answer after thinking through the Prove It! process. 'Nough Said!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Test Taking Strategies...do they work?
It's been a long 4 months of prepping for the state tests...and we were ready! All of the diligent work on the kids part paid off because they sat for 2 hours and 35 minutes taking the test!! I had taken down the clocks so they couldn't tell if they were missing anything outside...I know, that was really low of me, but I wanted maximum focus. Wow did I get it! They used the strategies that we had talked about and they earned Super Improvers Stars accordingly.
Day two tomorrow and we'll go for the same result! Did I mention that I wanted them all to dress like they were going to church or a wedding? I thought that maybe the idea of dressing for success would go into their head and translate out into, "I can do anything because I look good!" We'll see how that works out...stay tuned.
Day two tomorrow and we'll go for the same result! Did I mention that I wanted them all to dress like they were going to church or a wedding? I thought that maybe the idea of dressing for success would go into their head and translate out into, "I can do anything because I look good!" We'll see how that works out...stay tuned.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Super Improvers Wall...A United Class
We've seen posts about the Super Improvers Wall...but nothing could have prepared me for what I have seen in the past two months. My students are all pumped up because they are moving up the wall with the goal of becoming a Living Legend. I now have 12 students who are Living Legends...and they are so proud...and frankly, so am I!
If you're new to this concept, you must be asking what am I giving these kids to be so motivated to improve? All I am giving them is a star on a piece of paper! Yes, that's what I said...a star on a piece of paper which transfers to moving up the wall after 10 stars. These kids are working so hard to improve in all areas of school; academics, personal behavior, better writing, whatever they need.
All I can say is if your not using this, what are you waiting for?
If you're new to this concept, you must be asking what am I giving these kids to be so motivated to improve? All I am giving them is a star on a piece of paper! Yes, that's what I said...a star on a piece of paper which transfers to moving up the wall after 10 stars. These kids are working so hard to improve in all areas of school; academics, personal behavior, better writing, whatever they need.
All I can say is if your not using this, what are you waiting for?
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Dreaded Benchmarks...Not Anymore!
You the know the feeling. The one where you know the kids are totally prepared for the benchmark test, and then they bomb, go back to the old ways, or forget everything you taught them!! Why is that?
Well, not this time my friends! Since the inception of Oral Writing and the Genius Ladder, I have been waiting for this day. We have been doing these two activities for the past 5 months and now I am starting to see some consistent fruits of my labor.
The task...response to literature, not the easiest of the tests. The kids stayed focused and organized in their writing and most all of them beefed up the paragraphs with many extenders. This is really where it's at...kids writing above their abilities! What a great reading session it was to sit down and read so many great responses!
Well, not this time my friends! Since the inception of Oral Writing and the Genius Ladder, I have been waiting for this day. We have been doing these two activities for the past 5 months and now I am starting to see some consistent fruits of my labor.
The task...response to literature, not the easiest of the tests. The kids stayed focused and organized in their writing and most all of them beefed up the paragraphs with many extenders. This is really where it's at...kids writing above their abilities! What a great reading session it was to sit down and read so many great responses!
Friday, November 18, 2011
"You Bet Your Homework Over the Break"
"You Bet Your Homework Over the Break" is what greeted the students today above our Scoreboard. The last thing in the world the kids want is homework over a great week long Thanksgiving break. Of course I told them what this meant and they were so focused that the day felt like the middle of September! Focused learning on a day that can typically make kids crazy! I saw many a classroom today a bit helter skelter...but not us, because the motivating power of the scoreboard!
The next time you need to have the kids focused, break out this version for just this special occasion. You may be surprised how focused they can get...while having an intensely fun time!
The next time you need to have the kids focused, break out this version for just this special occasion. You may be surprised how focused they can get...while having an intensely fun time!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The Rewards of the Scoreboard Game
One thing that I notice is the less marks at the end of the day, the less energy and following of the rules. This interests me quite often, because let's face it, sometimes you just have those days where you don't mark the score that often.
Well, let me just tell you...the marks are a crucial part of the energy each and every day. I can take a dull class to the next level just by getting some points on the scoreboard...positive and negative.
Yesterday we played for a bonus minute of Mind Soccer on Friday. They won and were so pumped! The most we can get on a Friday of Mind Soccer is three minutes, but now, maybe we could get four minutes.
Well, let me just tell you...the marks are a crucial part of the energy each and every day. I can take a dull class to the next level just by getting some points on the scoreboard...positive and negative.
Yesterday we played for a bonus minute of Mind Soccer on Friday. They won and were so pumped! The most we can get on a Friday of Mind Soccer is three minutes, but now, maybe we could get four minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)