We are in our 4th week of school and I must say that I feel like I finally have a grasp on this teaching thing that we do. What has worked so far is the lesson plan that we have already done. I feel that I have more time to dedicate to my classes because I do not have to worry so much about the lesson planning. The set induction works quite well to get kids attention. I would normally use bizzare ethereal photos. I started using the class objective as their notes in the beginning of class. Other strategies for kids behavior like the look has worked for me, but I'm sure I'm not doing it like the man we saw on the video. His look is more like "you need to stop", my look I believe is more like "what in the world are you doing?".
What has not worked. I tried to implement the "notebook" like what we did in class this summer. I seem to have only 70% of my student on board with this. The other 30% I'm investigating to see what I missed. Also the closing remarks or questions, for some reason I seem to forget to do it. I can catch myself sometimes, but not always.
I forget to do the closure and transfer-out too! Sometimes I remember and try to squeeze it in, but I can't remember always, especially when we are doing group work.
ReplyDeleteI have also implemented a notebook this year too. I give the students quizes that they can find the answers to using the information within their notebooks. I may throw in a question from the syllabus, others from their bellringers, and some from the daily assignments that they are supposed to have. The first time I gave a quiz, I noticed that some students did not have notebooks and they were just out of luck. They have started to keep up with them better as they see the contribution it makes to their grade. But, it is hard to get EVERYONE on board with being organized enough to keep a ntoebook.
I too have this problem. It is difficult to gauge the amount of time left in class especially if we are involved with hand on projects or activities. I try to remind my students about 15 minutes before the bell rings that they need to start wrapping things up within the next five minutes. It usually doesn't work though. Even if they do gather their things within this time, they always grab their book bags. Since it is difficult to sit in their seats with the bags on their backs, the students tend to start standing and then the talking starts. By the time I get the class to sit down and listen to my transfer out and closure, the bell rings!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you need to structure your notebook with more checks along the way? What kind of grading system do you have for it?
ReplyDeleteKeep trying on the closure - it is important.
I want to check out your "look" or "eye". I seem to have perfected a scary one! Dr. J.