Classroom Help

January 9, 2011  I visited with my principal last week about a few boys who won't work for me.  It doesn't seem to matter if the activiy is more learner centered or curriculum centered.  I don't see them staying engaged in learning, and he gave me some suggestions that I am ready to implement this week.  Because they are neighbors and spend a lot of time outside of school together, I will probably request that they not be in the same classroom next year.  It was a struggle for me to ask for help.  I've taught a lot of years, but realize some changes in our schedule this year don't allow me to handle things as I would have last year.  I hope that his ideas will help.  I also asked for advice from a coworker about my reading groups.  She will come and observe my classroom on Wednesday and help me problem solve.  She also gave me a promethean chart that she uses during small groups.  I spent a fair amount of time today filling in student choices.  I believe that by providing clearer choices this work time will be more successful and conducive to learning.  Tomorrow we will make a T chart outlining student and teacher jobs during small groups.  I will have students practice what it looks like and sounds like.  We will hopefully give it a go on Tuesday.