Summer is absolutely flying by. Yesterday I had the startling realization that next week, it will be August. Next week! (Insert the Macauly Caulkin "Home Alone" face here.)
Perhaps part of the reason my summer seems to be almost over before it even started is due to the fact that I've been actively attending summer workshops and training sessions. During these sessions, I've been taking notes. Pages and pages of notes. The other day, I was reviewing my notes and thought I'd share some of the random items that struck me as meaningful even after a re-read.
Completely random "take-aways" form my summer training:
1.
Plickers.com. Never heard of it? Check it out! It's a great way to engage kids and collect data with INSTANT feedback of student understanding. There are many amazing similar sites/resources that require 1:1 computing. With plickers, you can get instant data with just one device... your cell phone.
2. Homework. Sometimes it doesn't get completed at home, and often it's returned the next day with the excuse, "I didn't understand it." Do you want an easy way to combat that excuse without encouraging students to incorrectly practice the material? Simply require students who don't understand the homework to write a description of what part is unclear and to write a clarifying question they can ask upon their return to school. This still holds students accountable if there truly is a lack of understanding. (Plus it encourages most kids to JUST DO THE HOMEWORK!)
3. Interactive Notebooks: I've been using interactive notebooks for the past couple years, but each year brings new knowledge and more effective notebooks. I attended a session on interactive notebooks and all I can say is, "Wow!" Any subject. Any grade level. Interactive notebooks are engaging and highly effective. If you've never heard of them, a few minutes on Google will open your eyes to a whole new note-taking strategy! I'll blog about some changes I'm making to my IN's as the school year begins.
4.
Math Rules that Expire: This is such an interesting concept. What primary teacher hasn't taught addition by saying things like, "When you add, the number gets bigger"? At the time, that's a totally valid statement. However, what happens when kids learn to add integers (or negative numbers for us elementary folk)? That statement is no longer true. In a fascinating talk by Jason Adair, I've rethought how I will phrase much of my math teaching. Check out the list of "
13 Math Rules that Expire", and click on the "download" button to view the whole list.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg, but reviewing my notes explains why I haven't even reached summer mode with just a few weeks left until school will be back in session. But if my new learning has a positive impact on my upcoming class, then it's totally worth it! Now it's time to enjoy a little summer before it's too late!
