The Winding Down

May 18, 2011
I am working hard to get to the unit test in math.  Students have been out ill, for funerals, or just absent.  I am spending my preps trying to catch them up; I don't want to test  until we are all ready.  Yet, the new unit awaits, and there's not much time left to the school year.  This has been a frustration.  We are not to let any slip through, yet how long do I wait to give a test because of all of these absences?

The Homework Situation - Are more students not getting their work done, or am I just losing my patience?  Most of my students do turn their work in on time.  Then, there are the habitually late.  Those who need to have recess taken away to complete it.  I suppose the beautiful weather isn't helping.  For the last two days, I have given a lot of work time.  If students use their time well, they can get most of it done.

Poetry Folders - This was my smart goal. I am happy with the products.  Some of my boys really got in to decorating their covers and pages.  A fellow teacher said she didn't get to poetry writing this year because of our reading/writing/language curriculum.  I am hoping students will share some of their writing when we invite parents to come in before the end of the year. 

Making Words - I started a new station during reading called Making Words.  Students take the scrambled letters and make 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5- letter words, and try to come up with the mystery word (the one that uses all of the letters).  I am wondering what other kinds of word work I will be able to add next year.  I am seeing some of my students really struggle in decoding unfamiliar words.  I want to be able to help them more. 

Action Research - My Personal Journal

May 11, 2011   Math Action Research.  I used a teacher reflective journal, exit slips, and a class grid to keep track of student progress during our fraction unit.  I'm thinking the journal belongs in my blog!  After the coaching meeting today, I also feel that I will model a reflective journal for math next year.  One of the most important things teachers can do is reflect on our practice, so I think I'm off to a good start having tried this.  Next year, if I model the journal, and share my successes, I will have a better chance of impacting other teachers.  Find my math action research journal elsewhere in my blog!

Coaching Math in our District

May 11, 2011  I've been asked to be a math coach in our building, and have taken some training this year.  I've attended two workshops at CESA 11 this year.  I have also worked with a math coach, Marilyn Heifner, observed and been observed by other teachers.  I find this exhilarating!  Just the collaboration and talking with teachers who want to improve their practice and "glean" ideas from eachother is exciting.  I am excited about bringing real Learning Community into our building, and seeing the effects it will have on student achievement!   Today was my first day of workshops through a CESA 11 grant called CMLC, Creating Mathematics Learning Community.  We analyzed district data, and learned attributes of a math coach.  We also spent time reflecting on our own strengths, determining if we are collaborators, communicators, contributors, or challengers.  I found out through a team player self-survey that I was a bit of all of them.  I think it depends on the type of meeting I am in.