Update: October 28, 2011

We had our first grade level data share on Tuesday.  We brought our Unit 1 Math Test scores.  We each shared our low and high scores.  We discussed students of concern and added them to the computer file.  We came to a conclusion that our lowest of the low are already getting interventions in reading support and computer math.  Some are also getting a Read Naturally intervention.  We decided to reteach for these students, instead of putting them in another intervention.  Next, we looked at those close to the benchmark.  We contemplated a 30-day intervention, but most of us felt that a reteach within our classrooms will be sufficient to help them grasp the missed skills.  We will each keep extra watch on those students, and will see how they do after the next unit test.
 
I was very pleased with the enthusiasm brought to the table when I asked my group of students to work with the skill they had not mastered on the unit one math test.  I think they had begun to grasp the concept, and there was pride in their work.    It was a big change from some some of the unengaged behaviors I had gotten during whole group instruction.  If I have learned anything these last few years, it is that if students fail to participate in class, it probably means they are unsure about the skill, and need to be checked!

Another teacher shared Unit 1 Math vocabulary labels for our student math notebooks.  I used these, and liked how students could go back to look up vocabulary.  I made labels for Unit 2 Math, and shared these with my grade level.

I reread "The Best Day" post and compared it to this week.  I was gone a day.  On Friday, there was a change in the barameter.  Some student behaviors were not the best.  I wonder if a study has been done on full moons and changes in weather.  It seems to affect some students, but not all.  Anyway, I decided we are still in the first six weeks of school.  Community is still being built.

Update: October 2, 2011

Asking for Help:  I brought up the need for coworkers to step in and help me with making the next reading power points and in updating the next math units, if they thought it was valuable.  Three of the five were right there nodding their heads, so I know I have help.  The other two, I think, just feel overwhelmed with everything.  I am happy to have help on the next units in math and reading.

Thursday we had "The Best Day Ever!".  Kids were off of school on Wednesday.  Tuesday resulted in misbehavior at the lunch table.  We reviewed the classroom rules we all signed, and I commented that no one in our class wrote on their "Hopes and Dreams" that they wanted to hear bad language or wanted to have someone leave them out.  It ended up being just a great day in the classroom; specialist teachers commented on what a great group I have, and the students got to hear the compliment!  We have also had some fun and laughter at Morning Meetings with our games.  I've had to remind myself to be human and let them be human. 

There's a lot of stress in our building and grade level right now because we will be sharing data to inform our teaching, but there's also the fear of exposing ourselves and our weaknesses.  Preliminary conversations have been good, though, and I hope we can keep the focus on best practices and how to improve student learning.  Our first data share will be Tuesday.  So much of what our district is doing blends in well with my master's program.  It is much easier to be on board because I am learning/have learned some of what is needed to be a better teacher and to help my students achieve.

Update: September 25, 2011

After having success in my own classroom with the reading vocabulary word power point, I put it on our shared folder and emailed that the first four weeks have been done.  Another teacher added sound to it, and changed the timing.  I felt badly at first.  I think I wanted it to be good enough for others to feel that they could just take and use it, and not have to improve upon.  Then I realized that it was already very usable, but if a coworker wants to tweak it and make it better, then we all benefit.  My first impression is that the sound is kind of annoying, but I think it might be a fun way to practice the vocabulary words by the end of the week. 

I have had conversations with two coworkers and they both like the changes I made to the first math unit.  Basically, I just added pages to the promethean for vocabulary review and homework pages.  Why it's been on my mind is that we will soon begin the second math unit.  The technology department gave me a pin so I can use the middle school's scanner.  I will take the pages and get them scanned this week.  Why I bring this up is that I was feeling stressed over being the teacher who now needs to update the rest of the math units, and create the rest of our reading vocabulary power points.  It is not difficult work; it is very time-consuming.  My plan is to ask our grade level to share these responsibilities.  I know they will pitch in.  That will help me out significantly with this busy time. 

Day 13

Our little classroom community is coming along.  We played a game at morning meeting called "Elf".  The class liked this game.  We have taken body breaks in the afternoon and they have been helpful.  Today we did not, and I was reminded that we still need to "go slow to go fast".  Tomorrow I will review what it looks like and sounds like for the students while I am teaching small reading groups.

Professional sharing is so good!  I used a first grade teacher's idea to make a powerpoint of reading vocabulary.  I put on the slide show today while the students were transitioning from silent reading to whole group instruction.  They readily joined in reciting.  It was a good use of this transition time.

I made posters of ideas from Ubuntu!, and put them on the wall beside our classroom rules.   They are quotes about community.  I look forward to sharing these with the students and seeing if they will be motivated by the ideas there.  For the most part, my students are supportive and kind to each other.  There is still work to do.   My next idea is to find an African recipe, make it, and share it with my students!

Day 7 - A New Week

I read an article last night about effective teachers.  There were many qualities of successful teachers that I would like to build upon.  1.  Set Big Goals - With only nineteen students right now, I am beginning interventions and testing students in reading.  I set goals of MAP Score growth I would like to see for my class in reading and math.  2.  Convince students that their personal investment does make a difference. - I am using Daily Five language about having a sense of urgency, that one moment can't be lost, and we should be giving our best during instruction and learning time.  3.  Continually Improve - This includes reflecting, and that the most effective teachers talk about their failures.  Unfortunately, I am having trouble putting work away at night.  It seems everything we are talking about in our master's class relates to our building and district goals.  Build a learning community and formative assessments are two of them.

Math homework continues to be a success.  Last Friday I reviewed their work, and this morning I challenged the students with the answers they gave me.  It was evident that some students saw connections that other students did not, and I was able to present this thinking to the entire class.  I used time effectively.  It seems that I must also stay in the mode of urgency.  This enabled me to think on my feet and squeeze in more learning.  Students were standing in line from the bathroom and I shot multiplication questions at them.  As they were standing in line for Spanish, I asked for examples of square numbers and prime numbers.  There were a few misconceptions that 5X5 was square, or 1 X 19 was prime.  It felt good to address these ideas and continue the learning outside of the math block.  I must keep my sense of urgency throughout the day.

Responsive Classroom - Last week I had students calling out of turn.  On Friday, I gave them both three sticky green squares of paper, and told them that if they lost them I would have to take recess time away, because Take a Break wasn't working.  Today, neither student lost even one sticky!  This was excellent improvement in student self control.  I will have to remind them tomorrow that I noticed the improvement!

I was able to put student pictures on my teacher webpage.  Two pictures are on my homepage, and the same two pictures I made into puzzles.  I also added two wordsearches: Subjects and Math.  The students investigated these today in the computer lab.  I was surprised by the number of students who had never visited our reading series epractice online.  It's a great place to listen to the stories, watch the virtual fieldtrip, and practice new vocabulary words each week.

I forgot to use my chimes today.  We did take body breaks, though, and the students liked the games and came back to group more energized.  The year is off to a great start!

Day Four With Students

The first days of school are wearing me out!  There are so many routines to talk about with the students.  Even when I go off the list that I think is complete, other things get added to the list.  I love the potential of this group, though.  Right now I have 19 fourth graders!  It's a dream to have this much floor space in the room.  I keep thinking that we should be able to accomplish so much, and I should be able to help students more in small groups and individually.  I hope this proves true.

One of my goals this year was to review Math homework from the night before and discuss in class.  We have had one day of math homework, and it worked well.  All students but one had their work done.  I liked Abby's idea of an inner circle and an outer circle, and having students discuss their work with other students before discussing whole group.  I will try this later in the year.

Other new initiatives this year are using the Daily 5, CAFE, and implementing more of Responsive Classroom.  I have been using 'Take a Break' for the small interruptions in the classroom, and that has worked well.  The students love the chime, and quiet down well.  We have taken body breaks in the long afternoons.  I am working on my teacher language.  I took pictures of students with my camera, and hope to get them on my teacher webpage.  There's always something new to learn and do.   The year has possibilities.

Sunday, August 28 Preparation for the school year.

I have been in the classroom working quite a bit this month.  My daughter and I cleaned a cupboard and my desk, organized, pulled out books, arranged the room, put up bulletin boards, ripped out nine math units for math, and more.  I spent time reading and creating displays for The Daily Five and Cafe; I will use these to introduce reading skills, our classroom routines, and academic choice the first six days of school.  I purchased and have read quite a few picture books to use with Cafe. 

"Joy" will be a priority this year, and there are certain elements in my room like "Everybody Books", poetry folders, and a nice chunk of time for my read aloud that will support this goal.  I have organized and reviewed the Responsive Classroom elements, and now just need to weave these into my lesson plans.  Lesson planning is the next big thing on my list.  Organization will be the key to getting this year off to a good start.  We are officially back to work tomorrow.  There's always more to do, but I think I have a lot in place.