Week of 9.14.15

Depth of Knowledge (DOK)

One of my TKES goals (in the past) was to increase rigor by asking higher level questions and having students identify the level of DOK questions/activities and the products they chose to show their learning. I used the chart in my classroom and posted sticky notes at each DOK (as we identified it). I began by modeling my thinking and how to identify the DOK after a while I asked what DOK they thought it may be, and then it developed into the students be able to identify the DOK level. 
You can find this chart and other resources in my DOK Dropbox folder (link below):
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8f3s0q1b4jqpq4z/AAAIqD22e2aKv_6SrzCxYwJma?dl=0

Classroom Management

Proximity Control- the idea that simply being physically near students improves their behavior and focus. Focus on the proximity not necessarily the control!
The Benefits of Proximity Control
Not only is using proximity control free and easy, but it helps sustain some important components in your classroom.

• It preserves student’s dignity and confidence. When you stop class to “call out” a student in front of their peers, this is a stressful and embarrassing experience to undergo as a student.
  
• It redirects students in a respectful and effective way. This method reinforces fairness and respect for students, adjusting their behavior with a positive sense of presence rather than a negative use of words.
• It maintains your flow of work or instruction. Instead of hitting the pause button and momentarily distracting the class with a reprimand, proximity control redirects individual students without disrupting the current focus of the class.
  
• It helps you know what’s going on. Not only does being close to students redirect them, but you can acquire a firsthand over-the-shoulder view of what students are engaged with throughout your room.
  

• It reinforces the standards of your classroom. Similar to when drivers start braking their cars when a cop passes by, all students within the sphere of your proximity commit a quick self-assessment to determine how their current behavior aligns with the stated expectations.

 So as you look for ways to respectfully redirect student attention and subtly reinforce your high standards, get on your feet and make yourself physically present around your students!
Read the full article here: http://www.teachhub.com/classroom-management-tips-using-proximity-control 
View videos on Edivate:
https://www.pd360.com/#resources/videos/7573
https://www.pd360.com/#resources/videos/7567


Ditch the Desk & Flexible Learning Spaces
Remove the teacher’s desk and students feel more comfortable and less intimidated, teachers feel more active and engaged, and classroom learning happens in a shared space. Read more here:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ditching-the-desk-nicholas-provenzano
http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/education/2015/09/06/ditching-the-desk-opens-doors-to-new-teaching-methods.html
Photos of flexible space ideas:

Get TechKnow

GoNoodle brain breaks!!!
https://www.gonoodle.com/

Using Popplet Lite App in the classroom (Free version)
Popplet is a simple tool to capture and organize your ideas. Jot down your ideas and then sort them!
Corkulous is a virtual corkboard.
Ideas:
Character maps
flow charts
time lines
prewriting 
illustrate story structure
cause and effect
beginning, middle, end
author's purpose
main idea and details
compare and contrast
theme and supporting details
visuals for content specific vocabulary

Book Reviews with Stop Motion
Download free Stop Motion Lesson ideas in this free iBook: http://apple.co/BookTrailer
Stop Motion Studio is a free app that makes stop motion creation so easy!