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1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
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6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
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FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Week 3: Mr. Drop Top Vs. Pikachu







"In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

The one thing I would change in my teaching is the way I group students. My classes have between 32 and 36 kids this semester and I have 7 cameras and 14 computers, so I have no choice but to group. 


Last week I put together a group that included a fairly large 5'6, 230 lb 15 year old boy with a 68 average in my class and he drives a red BMW drop top (this is important because he is SUPER entitled) The boy is having some disciple problems in other classes but is very respectful and protective of me in my class.Also, in that group is a 15 year old boy with 89 average in my class, 5'1, 90 lbs who has named himself Pikachu when we play kahoots. The group also included two other girls both with averages in the eighties. 

The group appeared to be working fine, every time I checked in on them no one had any complains, Mr. Drop Top didn't appear to be doing much work but Pikachu ensured me he was helping. The project had come to an end and for the entire week Pikachu had been taking up for MR. Drop Top. 
At the end of the project I always have students write me feedback on the project, generally it is a short form that asks how they contributed to the project, how group members contribute, and what the instructor can do to improve the project. Well when I saw Pikachu's feedback he informed me that students should be able to pick there own groups because some students "maybe threatened by other students to do their work for them". I felt so bad for Pikachu. 
So grouping is something I need to work on, but my questions is what do you do with the kids that can't work with anyone? How do they meet the standard? 

3 comments:

Anna Miller said...

Hey Charlotte,
I feel your pain with this grouping issue! Sometimes when I have a boy who won't do anything (just being lazy) I partner him with a "mom" type girl. I talk to the girl ahead of time and let her know that I want her to make him do his part and that I'm not partnering them so that she will do all the work. This seems to work for me. If that doesn't work, I will be that student's partner so I can monitor them.

Dr. J said...

We can talk about this in class. Please bring that up in the parking lot.

Unknown said...

Hey Charlotte,

I've had similar issues, as well. Sometimes I feel like with certain students, no matter where I place them it causes a problem. One boy in my 3rd block is just so immature/distracting to others I really have trouble finding any group he can work well with. If I place him with friends, they goof off. If I place him with the "down to business" students, he distracts them and irritates him. End of story: groups are hard sometimes :)

It's so good that you are doing the feedback so that students can be held accountable, though!