Well the test is over. Done and done.
I'm not sure how I feel about it all at this point. Last week after the test (Tuesday and Wednesday) I had trouble motivating myself to do anything with my students Thursday and Friday. I don't think I was supposed to, as it is time for the kids to relax, but I am hoping that those feelings will move away quickly over the next few weeks....since I still have 3 months of teaching to go!
I need to think of some new units that are fun but still teaching the objectives. First I am going to teach a business unit, where we build a resume, write a cover letter, and do something else for the portfolio. Then we'll research one job that they want to do (in the resource room) and put some effort into this. I think that'll be interesting for the kids.
After that I am thinking about teaching "Crank" a book of poetry. Some of the kids that have read it have absolutely loved it...so hopefully the rest will too!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
I think I'm too easy
We've been working on test prep for the last two weeks and the remainder of this week. At the beginning I thought I was totally going to be too hard on the kids....but now I am realizing, really they could have done much much more before the test (in this "unit").
I am not sure if I can do anything now, or if it would have really made a difference, but I think that we could have added a little grammar and a little open response practice. Eeeeekkks, maybe this is just one of those "hindsight is always 20/20" type of moments.
Either way, the ball is rolling and hopefully going to build momentum over the next week. We discussed today that the kids will have a healthy snack break, lunch provided, some breaks for relaxation, and other small things to hopefully help the students. I am thinking that these things will have a little impact (or so says the research) and hoping it will push those 10 bubble kids over the edge to success.
The staff has been great pepping up the kids and talking to specific students' that they have pull with. These relationships, coupled with lots of practice, and overall excitement are all motivational tools that can really pick up the spirit and anticipation. Prayers and thoughts are appreciated!
I am not sure if I can do anything now, or if it would have really made a difference, but I think that we could have added a little grammar and a little open response practice. Eeeeekkks, maybe this is just one of those "hindsight is always 20/20" type of moments.
Either way, the ball is rolling and hopefully going to build momentum over the next week. We discussed today that the kids will have a healthy snack break, lunch provided, some breaks for relaxation, and other small things to hopefully help the students. I am thinking that these things will have a little impact (or so says the research) and hoping it will push those 10 bubble kids over the edge to success.
The staff has been great pepping up the kids and talking to specific students' that they have pull with. These relationships, coupled with lots of practice, and overall excitement are all motivational tools that can really pick up the spirit and anticipation. Prayers and thoughts are appreciated!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
I never knew, sorry!
I was reflecting this past week on how I feel lighter emotionally and mentally. I was thinking about the things that have stressed me out for the past few months and realized that basketball really put a load on me. I didn't really realize that I was as stressed out as I was. It's interesting to think about how in the moment you don't realize how this stress can effect really everything else you're working on.
For instance, I am sure my social and professional interactions were different because I always felt like I was busy or should be busy doing something else. My sleeping patterns have been remarkably better since the season is over, no more waking up in the night. Instead I enjoy an 8 hour pass out each night, which has reinvigorated me for the daytime. This has allowed me to be less stressed during the school day and I have relaxed a lot around my students and around my work. This I think directly influences my students reactions too, as they are having fun in my class too (sometimes!).
All of my stress is not gone obviously, but it helps me to understand myself a little better and to understand the people around me a little bit. Teach for America does a great job hiring people for this job, but I can also see that sometimes the quirks and crazy actions TFAers' take sometimes might be because of the enormous amount of stress we are under or put ourselves under. TFA does a great job of hiring people who are self-starters but also people who do not like to fail and take great pride in their student's achievement. As a result, I think some of the people (myself included) probably develop personality traits or expose ones that are perhaps not some of their prouder details.
This is great though, to have that experience and learn these things about yourself. I feel like it's better to have those experiences and work through them -- preparing for the next go around. There are many things that I will be changing next year to get a better classroom, a better basketball team, a better lifestyle, but this is all because I worked through it this year.
For instance, I am sure my social and professional interactions were different because I always felt like I was busy or should be busy doing something else. My sleeping patterns have been remarkably better since the season is over, no more waking up in the night. Instead I enjoy an 8 hour pass out each night, which has reinvigorated me for the daytime. This has allowed me to be less stressed during the school day and I have relaxed a lot around my students and around my work. This I think directly influences my students reactions too, as they are having fun in my class too (sometimes!).
All of my stress is not gone obviously, but it helps me to understand myself a little better and to understand the people around me a little bit. Teach for America does a great job hiring people for this job, but I can also see that sometimes the quirks and crazy actions TFAers' take sometimes might be because of the enormous amount of stress we are under or put ourselves under. TFA does a great job of hiring people who are self-starters but also people who do not like to fail and take great pride in their student's achievement. As a result, I think some of the people (myself included) probably develop personality traits or expose ones that are perhaps not some of their prouder details.
This is great though, to have that experience and learn these things about yourself. I feel like it's better to have those experiences and work through them -- preparing for the next go around. There are many things that I will be changing next year to get a better classroom, a better basketball team, a better lifestyle, but this is all because I worked through it this year.
Weather and Mood Correlations
Have you ever noticed when it's raining, or it has been a too long winter, that everyone is in a more sour mood? It's a predictable trend and works the opposite directions as well. Today is a beautiful day, reaching about 65 degrees and I am in an inherently happier mood as a result.
We started softball practice this week which is nice for a few reasons. First, because of this weather trend I just mentioned. I get to spend much time outside getting some fresh air. And for me, it's a little like an addiction, because the more time I spend outside the more I want to spend the whole time outside. A nice advantage to moving down from the North! Second, I am enjoying softball greatly because I am not the head coach! Hanging out with the girls, coaching on skills and tactics, and then walking away without the pressure on your shoulders is a nice little change I think. Boom!
We started softball practice this week which is nice for a few reasons. First, because of this weather trend I just mentioned. I get to spend much time outside getting some fresh air. And for me, it's a little like an addiction, because the more time I spend outside the more I want to spend the whole time outside. A nice advantage to moving down from the North! Second, I am enjoying softball greatly because I am not the head coach! Hanging out with the girls, coaching on skills and tactics, and then walking away without the pressure on your shoulders is a nice little change I think. Boom!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Lenten Promises
1. Write positive comments on each class, each day - pointing out small moments where students excel
2. Do not swear
3. More positivity
We'll see! I can do it.
2. Do not swear
3. More positivity
We'll see! I can do it.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Some GREAT NEWS!!!
GREAT DAY TODAY.
Today we got the results back from the Target II test (a test that prepares us for the End of Course Exam). The results were promising, promising, promising.
Now, to put this in context. Each year the state increases the number of students they expect to be proficient or advanced proficient on the exam. A lot of funding and state takeover depends on literacy scores....as a result English classrooms (two total, me-first year, chad-literacy coach/AP) is pretty consistently under the microscope. Now, I am a huge proponent for this...as I love feedback and I love to have a lot of collaboration. With this has come some great gains in the classroom.
To have the school digress from year 5 of takeover 67.75 students are to score proficient on the exam. This basically breaks down to 32 out of 46 students must reach this goal. For instance if only 26 students reach the goal we are "okay" and considered to be in "safe harbor," because we have improved so greatly from the previous year.
Here's the math:
1. Last year 13 students scored proficient (28%)
2. That percentage of a score was an IMPROVEMENT (big enough) that we were able to stay in safe harbor for this year (so not move from year 5 to year 6)
3. THIS YEAR, to go backwards to year 4...we need to reach 67.75%.
4. based on the past Target II test we are at 59% (28 out of 46 students)
5. FOUR students were within 5% of scoring proficient
6. With those four students, and the 28 that already reach goal, we would be at 69.5%!!!!!!!
Successssssssss
Today we got the results back from the Target II test (a test that prepares us for the End of Course Exam). The results were promising, promising, promising.
Now, to put this in context. Each year the state increases the number of students they expect to be proficient or advanced proficient on the exam. A lot of funding and state takeover depends on literacy scores....as a result English classrooms (two total, me-first year, chad-literacy coach/AP) is pretty consistently under the microscope. Now, I am a huge proponent for this...as I love feedback and I love to have a lot of collaboration. With this has come some great gains in the classroom.
To have the school digress from year 5 of takeover 67.75 students are to score proficient on the exam. This basically breaks down to 32 out of 46 students must reach this goal. For instance if only 26 students reach the goal we are "okay" and considered to be in "safe harbor," because we have improved so greatly from the previous year.
Here's the math:
1. Last year 13 students scored proficient (28%)
2. That percentage of a score was an IMPROVEMENT (big enough) that we were able to stay in safe harbor for this year (so not move from year 5 to year 6)
3. THIS YEAR, to go backwards to year 4...we need to reach 67.75%.
4. based on the past Target II test we are at 59% (28 out of 46 students)
5. FOUR students were within 5% of scoring proficient
6. With those four students, and the 28 that already reach goal, we would be at 69.5%!!!!!!!
Successssssssss
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Test Prep Begins
MY END OF COURSE EXAM IS IN 3 WEEKS. OH NO!!!! I AM SO NERVOUS!!!! I hope these kids have learned something. Tomorrow we start straight test prep until the exam the second week of March.
We are going to be consistently doing reading comprehension strategies three times a week, essay practice once a week, and grammar another day. Each week we will go over the released item in class, then give them time to work on it, then review the answers. It is going to be intense and so repetitive for the kids. And....I am not sure if it is going to be effective. But, hopefully yes!
I have been integrating a lot of the strategies throughout the year so hopefully some of it will come naturally for the students at this point. It’s an interesting process, this teaching thing! Sometimes I can see results immediately, sometimes I never see results. It’s a constant learn and relearn methodical process for myself and for students. I always wondered why we learn world history every year for seven years throughout 1st-12th grade. I get it now though.
It’s the same reason why I am teaching Lord of the Flies in 11th grade while the 7th grade teacher is teaching it as well. It’s because there are different levels of learning that come with learn and matriculation.
Wish me luck! This is the first EOC of the year (kind of ridiculous since so much of school’s succes relies on Literacy scores...). It’ll be a wait afterwards to see if we can successfully move backwards in the State takeover process. I think we can do it.
I really love my kids and I think they work hard - so hopefully this will pay off!
We are going to be consistently doing reading comprehension strategies three times a week, essay practice once a week, and grammar another day. Each week we will go over the released item in class, then give them time to work on it, then review the answers. It is going to be intense and so repetitive for the kids. And....I am not sure if it is going to be effective. But, hopefully yes!
I have been integrating a lot of the strategies throughout the year so hopefully some of it will come naturally for the students at this point. It’s an interesting process, this teaching thing! Sometimes I can see results immediately, sometimes I never see results. It’s a constant learn and relearn methodical process for myself and for students. I always wondered why we learn world history every year for seven years throughout 1st-12th grade. I get it now though.
It’s the same reason why I am teaching Lord of the Flies in 11th grade while the 7th grade teacher is teaching it as well. It’s because there are different levels of learning that come with learn and matriculation.
Wish me luck! This is the first EOC of the year (kind of ridiculous since so much of school’s succes relies on Literacy scores...). It’ll be a wait afterwards to see if we can successfully move backwards in the State takeover process. I think we can do it.
I really love my kids and I think they work hard - so hopefully this will pay off!
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