5 Things I Need to Do this Week - All I have left of break is the rest of this week!
1. Organize Student Supplies
I need to do this at least once a semester. I just put in an order to Bulk Office Supply, so once that arrives I can get to work. I also need to make some new flower pens.
2. Label my tables
I want to have each seat at each table labeled (I'm thinking with cards) so that I can easily assign students a random seat weekly. So far I've been doing every-other week, but I think my students would prefer weekly and I want them to see it be more random.
3. Plan the semester
As in big picture planning. What can I accomplish? I feel really far behind, but perhaps my goals for first semester were too ambitious.
4. Plan week one
This needs to happen in detail. I know I want to do a group work task and that we will be starting functions in Algebra. This is one of my favorite units and I've found even MORE great tasks to use with it! I also want to rethink homework and bellwork and see if I need to make any changes.
5. Finalize Semester 1 Grades
All I have left to score is my Algebra final, which means I've made some good progress! But then I have to do a second look through each class and make sure things look right.
Showing posts with label #5things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #5things. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
#5things I Like About Walking
Recently my family visited St. Louis. We walked a lot, and it reminded me of when I lived in Chicago and I also walked a lot. It made me miss walking a lot. And then I came home and there was this big conversation on twitter about the #FitBoS and I was sad again that I didn't walk more. So I just decided to walk more now, even though I don't have a fitbit and I'm using a less accurate phone app.
I have been realizing the past week how many things I like about walking. I've been walking to and from school (which takes about 20 minutes) and other places that are closer than school.
1. Slowing Down
Walking is slower than driving, and it gives me time to just take time. Slowing down my life a bit is a good thing. Having 20 minutes or so to just relax and walk is wonderful. It is a time for me to just be.
2. Seeing People
I've seen so many of my students just from the times when I'm walking. Just this morning on my way to school two of my students were walking to football practice and I got to walk with them for about 10 minutes. That's a great opportunity to work on building relationships.
3. Feeling Healthier
I like that I have a goal and that when I reach it I really do feel as though I am taking control of getting myself healthier. And my body feels healthier too, well, not quite yet, but I can feel my muscles throughout my body getting stronger from my walking.
4. Being a One Car Family
We have been a one car family for a while, and I really like that we can do that. I appreciate that we have lower insurance bills and no car payments. I also feel that it is good for the environment because we do less driving than if we had two cars.
5. I Don't Have to Stop When School Starts
Sometimes during the summer I start things, but I can't keep up with them during the school year. I know that I can keep walking to and from school once school starts, and it probably won't take much more than that to meet my goal once I'm running around my classroom everyday!
-Kathryn
I have been realizing the past week how many things I like about walking. I've been walking to and from school (which takes about 20 minutes) and other places that are closer than school.
1. Slowing Down
Walking is slower than driving, and it gives me time to just take time. Slowing down my life a bit is a good thing. Having 20 minutes or so to just relax and walk is wonderful. It is a time for me to just be.
2. Seeing People
I've seen so many of my students just from the times when I'm walking. Just this morning on my way to school two of my students were walking to football practice and I got to walk with them for about 10 minutes. That's a great opportunity to work on building relationships.
3. Feeling Healthier
I like that I have a goal and that when I reach it I really do feel as though I am taking control of getting myself healthier. And my body feels healthier too, well, not quite yet, but I can feel my muscles throughout my body getting stronger from my walking.
4. Being a One Car Family
We have been a one car family for a while, and I really like that we can do that. I appreciate that we have lower insurance bills and no car payments. I also feel that it is good for the environment because we do less driving than if we had two cars.
5. I Don't Have to Stop When School Starts
Sometimes during the summer I start things, but I can't keep up with them during the school year. I know that I can keep walking to and from school once school starts, and it probably won't take much more than that to meet my goal once I'm running around my classroom everyday!
-Kathryn
Friday, July 17, 2015
#5things I need to do before school starts
Well, when Julie (@jreulbach) tweeted about posting a blog by Friday, I thought that sounded easy enough, but it is 11pm on Friday night and I don't really thing I have much to say. So I'll go to a structure that often works well for me: #5things
1. Take a survey of my supplies
I need to go through my supplies look at what I have and figure out what things I need to buy prior to the beginning of the year. Everything is still all packed up, so I hesitate to do this because it means unpacking EVERYTHING!
2. Update my syllabi
I'm teaching a class that I haven't taught for a few years, so I really need to update that syllabus, and there are some minor changes I will make to my others. Those little updates should wait until we are back to school though, because I think we are making some school-wide changes that I will want to account for on the syllabi.
3. Big picture lesson plans
I need to make sure I have big picture ideas for the courses I'm teaching this year. I don't need to have every day planned out (although that would be nice), but I need a course map to follow to keep me on pace.
4. Plan integration of statistics standards
I have decided that I'm done leaving statistics until the end of the year. There is plenty we can do with statistics integrated into other units that will help differentiate between the ugly reality of the world and the simplicity of the mathematics we use to describe it. What I mean is that students will see how linearity can be used to describe a system that doesn't actually have the exact same rate of change at every step along the way, but it might be the best option.
5. Write and mail notes to my students
This year in order to boost student relationships, I want to send a note home to each of my future students prior to school starting (actually prior to the open house). I just want to say "Hey, I'm looking forward to having you in class!" I'm hoping that this will also help students I will be having for a second time start with a clean slate.
Well it looks like I better get to work! Well, at least I have a month still :)
-Kathryn
1. Take a survey of my supplies
I need to go through my supplies look at what I have and figure out what things I need to buy prior to the beginning of the year. Everything is still all packed up, so I hesitate to do this because it means unpacking EVERYTHING!
2. Update my syllabi
I'm teaching a class that I haven't taught for a few years, so I really need to update that syllabus, and there are some minor changes I will make to my others. Those little updates should wait until we are back to school though, because I think we are making some school-wide changes that I will want to account for on the syllabi.
3. Big picture lesson plans
I need to make sure I have big picture ideas for the courses I'm teaching this year. I don't need to have every day planned out (although that would be nice), but I need a course map to follow to keep me on pace.
4. Plan integration of statistics standards
I have decided that I'm done leaving statistics until the end of the year. There is plenty we can do with statistics integrated into other units that will help differentiate between the ugly reality of the world and the simplicity of the mathematics we use to describe it. What I mean is that students will see how linearity can be used to describe a system that doesn't actually have the exact same rate of change at every step along the way, but it might be the best option.
5. Write and mail notes to my students
This year in order to boost student relationships, I want to send a note home to each of my future students prior to school starting (actually prior to the open house). I just want to say "Hey, I'm looking forward to having you in class!" I'm hoping that this will also help students I will be having for a second time start with a clean slate.
Well it looks like I better get to work! Well, at least I have a month still :)
-Kathryn
Saturday, May 16, 2015
#5things To Welcome Next Year's 9th Gradersl
I LOVE meeting my future students! I do a lot of things to help them feel welcomed and to try to provide a smooth transition to high school.
1. Attend Their Math Class
I'm grateful that my principal will hire a 1/2 day sub so that I can attend their math classes one day and give them the Algebra Probe our district uses as a pretest. I get to meet them, talk to them about high school, Algebra, and then assess them on what they can do. All this happens in their 8th grade math class, which they are already comfortable in! Hooray!
2. Attend 8th Grade Parent Meeting
My district holds an 8th grade parent meeting in the spring for parents and students to attend. I attend this meeting too, so I get to see the students and their parents again :) I also work with other core and elective 9th grade teachers to have a supply list available to students and parents that night.
3. Learn Their Names--FAST
I work by tail end off to learn their names as soon as I can. I actually work on this all year. Whenever I encounter 8th graders at school or in the community I ask other people their names and I try to figure out their connections to my current 9th graders. Who is friends with whom...who is siblings with whom...etc. It helps a lot. Then when I go into their math class, I call them all by name and they are SHOCKED. One class this year was so surprised that they asked me to go around the room saying everyone's name, and they clapped when I finished :)
4. Tell Them I'm Excited
I always emphasize with them how excited I am to have them next year. I share my excitement and ask them what they are looking forward to and what they are nervous about. Some students shared about being worried they would embarrass themselves, so I shared something embarrassing I had done before--they all got to laugh at me :)
5. Mail Them a Postcard
OK--I've never actually done this before, but I really want to! I want to send a postcard home to each of my future students this summer. A few weeks before school starts just send them a quick note letting them know that I'm excited for them to come to high school! Then I can add a special note to kids I haven't met, kids who are in my homeroom, or kids I've encountered for other reasons.
-Kathryn
1. Attend Their Math Class
I'm grateful that my principal will hire a 1/2 day sub so that I can attend their math classes one day and give them the Algebra Probe our district uses as a pretest. I get to meet them, talk to them about high school, Algebra, and then assess them on what they can do. All this happens in their 8th grade math class, which they are already comfortable in! Hooray!
2. Attend 8th Grade Parent Meeting
My district holds an 8th grade parent meeting in the spring for parents and students to attend. I attend this meeting too, so I get to see the students and their parents again :) I also work with other core and elective 9th grade teachers to have a supply list available to students and parents that night.
3. Learn Their Names--FAST
I work by tail end off to learn their names as soon as I can. I actually work on this all year. Whenever I encounter 8th graders at school or in the community I ask other people their names and I try to figure out their connections to my current 9th graders. Who is friends with whom...who is siblings with whom...etc. It helps a lot. Then when I go into their math class, I call them all by name and they are SHOCKED. One class this year was so surprised that they asked me to go around the room saying everyone's name, and they clapped when I finished :)
4. Tell Them I'm Excited
I always emphasize with them how excited I am to have them next year. I share my excitement and ask them what they are looking forward to and what they are nervous about. Some students shared about being worried they would embarrass themselves, so I shared something embarrassing I had done before--they all got to laugh at me :)
5. Mail Them a Postcard
OK--I've never actually done this before, but I really want to! I want to send a postcard home to each of my future students this summer. A few weeks before school starts just send them a quick note letting them know that I'm excited for them to come to high school! Then I can add a special note to kids I haven't met, kids who are in my homeroom, or kids I've encountered for other reasons.
-Kathryn
Saturday, August 2, 2014
#5things I Like about Teaching in a Small Town
I was just reading some tweets about teachers who are just now finding out their courses for this coming school year and I was reminded again of the benefits of teaching in a small town/school. So it inspired this post! In no particular order, #5things I Like about Teaching in a Small Town:
1. I know my schedule before summer starts
Pretty much my schedule stays the same from year to year unless I advocate for it to change. Which is fairly easy because in order to rearrange math classes I only need to get two other math teachers and the principal or the counselor together in order to suggest and possibly implement a change. Otherwise things stay the same and I know what to expect.
2. I can talk to the 8th grade math teacher...whenever
If I have a question about my students prior experiences I can email, call, or stop by and visit the 8th grade math teacher easily. She is always open to discussing how to help our students best transition.
3. I can walk to school
I get to live just a few blocks from the school (thanks to my in-laws who we rent from). So it is an easy walk to and from school each day. Much preferred over the hour drive I did before we moved to town.
4. I get to really know people
I get to know my students and the other teachers really well. I have already had interactions with many students who will be in my class in the upcoming year. And the more years I spend in the same district, the more I get to know my students' families, too.
5. My principal is always there
If I need something or want to pass something by, I can always find her. She is supportive and aware of what is going on in every classroom. She works hard to do a "walk-through" everyday. It is nice to have that kind of support!
-Kathryn
1. I know my schedule before summer starts
Pretty much my schedule stays the same from year to year unless I advocate for it to change. Which is fairly easy because in order to rearrange math classes I only need to get two other math teachers and the principal or the counselor together in order to suggest and possibly implement a change. Otherwise things stay the same and I know what to expect.
2. I can talk to the 8th grade math teacher...whenever
If I have a question about my students prior experiences I can email, call, or stop by and visit the 8th grade math teacher easily. She is always open to discussing how to help our students best transition.
3. I can walk to school
I get to live just a few blocks from the school (thanks to my in-laws who we rent from). So it is an easy walk to and from school each day. Much preferred over the hour drive I did before we moved to town.
4. I get to really know people
I get to know my students and the other teachers really well. I have already had interactions with many students who will be in my class in the upcoming year. And the more years I spend in the same district, the more I get to know my students' families, too.
5. My principal is always there
If I need something or want to pass something by, I can always find her. She is supportive and aware of what is going on in every classroom. She works hard to do a "walk-through" everyday. It is nice to have that kind of support!
-Kathryn
Saturday, July 19, 2014
#5things I Need To Do Before School Starts
Well, this morning on twitter @druinok inspired this post. It really is #105things, but I simplified them into categories to help me feel better :)
1. Get Organized
I need to organize EVERYTHING: my closet, my wardrobe, my desk, my filing cabinet, my inbox, my google drive, my dropbox. Name it and I would prefer it to be organized! (I also need to finish my teacher binder for the upcoming year, but I've got a few things to figure out first...)
2. Buy Things
I need new things for a new year. I have an Oriental Trading order (and maybe an Amazon order) to put in as well as some Target/Dollar Tree shopping to do. I do very much enjoy the buying, but deciding what I need is important otherwise I would spend thousands!
3. Plan Classroom Structure (ie Procedures)
I need a better way for distributing classroom supplies. But I don't have a solution yet. Also I need to decide how I'm going to do bellwork and how strict I want to be about the beginning of class. I need a plan for storing notebooks in the classroom and maybe even folders too, since I just read Sarah's post about that yesterday.
4. Plan Units
For many reasons I am restructuring some of my units (again!), and I don't have everything really figured out yet. I want to make sure to incorporate more problem solving tasks into them as well, so I need to figure some of that out. I also want to link the foundational standards into my units.
5. Solidify Grading Expecations
For many reasons I also want to make changes to how my gradebook looks. I'm not sure how to balance SBG with understanding of concepts (rather than just performing skills), but I really want to find a way to make it work. Also with the foundational standards identified, I want to have different expectations for them (ie. higher level of proficiency) than with the others.
So there it is, all the big stuff I'm trying to do before school starts...obviously I need to plan individual lessons, write a syllabus, and other things too. I also need to blog a lot!
Any suggestions for me? What do you have left to do?
-Kathryn
1. Get Organized
I need to organize EVERYTHING: my closet, my wardrobe, my desk, my filing cabinet, my inbox, my google drive, my dropbox. Name it and I would prefer it to be organized! (I also need to finish my teacher binder for the upcoming year, but I've got a few things to figure out first...)
2. Buy Things
I need new things for a new year. I have an Oriental Trading order (and maybe an Amazon order) to put in as well as some Target/Dollar Tree shopping to do. I do very much enjoy the buying, but deciding what I need is important otherwise I would spend thousands!
3. Plan Classroom Structure (ie Procedures)
I need a better way for distributing classroom supplies. But I don't have a solution yet. Also I need to decide how I'm going to do bellwork and how strict I want to be about the beginning of class. I need a plan for storing notebooks in the classroom and maybe even folders too, since I just read Sarah's post about that yesterday.
4. Plan Units
For many reasons I am restructuring some of my units (again!), and I don't have everything really figured out yet. I want to make sure to incorporate more problem solving tasks into them as well, so I need to figure some of that out. I also want to link the foundational standards into my units.
5. Solidify Grading Expecations
For many reasons I also want to make changes to how my gradebook looks. I'm not sure how to balance SBG with understanding of concepts (rather than just performing skills), but I really want to find a way to make it work. Also with the foundational standards identified, I want to have different expectations for them (ie. higher level of proficiency) than with the others.
So there it is, all the big stuff I'm trying to do before school starts...obviously I need to plan individual lessons, write a syllabus, and other things too. I also need to blog a lot!
Any suggestions for me? What do you have left to do?
-Kathryn
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)