Writing Support:Hannah Zey (Humanities Specialist for our Community) will join us next week on Tuesday during your planning in the PLC room to support our writing workshop implementation. Hannah has some amazing things (Assessments, grading, conferencing, grade level collaboration, using rubrics, learning progressions, etc.) to share and discuss that will help you better implement the units of study and will give us time to personalize your support. Conference form ideas. Take what you need. http://www.thecurriculumcorner.com/thecurriculumcorner123/2013/09/15/writing-conference-forms/
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I keep this 1 page writing goal sheet on my conferencing clipboard. I can easily flip back to the week before to see what each student was working on and monitor how they progressed. I then simply continue them on the same writing goal or we create a new goal. In the Teacher College training, they stated that notes from writing conferences should be minimal. They suggested stating only the craft move that you are working on with that child and any future goals you may need to tackle. This form helps me write only a few words, so that I am only focusing on 1 goal at a time with each student. I have found it to be the easiest way to monitor writing conferences.
weekly_writing_goals_homeroom.docx |
Classroom Management Ideas: Keep it Positive
Don't underestimate the value of nonverbal cues/signals in your classroom!
Use transition slides to help students know the expectations before and/or during a transition or working time. It also saves you from giving instructions/directives a million times! Below is an example of what I used during class changes, work times, etc.
transition_slides.ppt |
Children learn faster when they can hear, see and feel the words they are learning. Consider using a few signs to as a positive multi-modal teaching/management solution. I implemented these American Sign Language signs (along with the ASL alphabet) in my classroom. They were great for students to use across the room or in the hall. Using the sign(s) did not require talking or interrupting my small group instruction. I could nod or shake my head no to acknowledge the request. I used the alphabet with students learning letters and letter sounds or to check for understanding. There are many classroom signs available that are not ASL but I wanted my students to learn so they could utilize it in the real world if they wished. Teachers can use sign language to:
- Manage students behavior
- Keep students actively engaged
- Assist students in literacy development of phonics, reading, and spelling
- Assist students in speech development
- Assist students in language development
- Promote positive peer to peer communication and interactions
- Enhance calendar and circle time
- Pair with phonics for alphabet and letter/sound learning
- Pair with sight words with printed text for faster reading development
- Use finger spelling with printed spelling words
- Enhance vocabulary acquisition for new words
- Enhance speech and language development with students with disabilities
- Enhance speech and language development with students who are Second Language Learners (ELL)
See it in action: (The sign lady in the videos is super cheesy!) Bathroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy4FuQGfQAc Stop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMcc1NAwkZo Water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pScRQ_QVgig Yes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo1ErhNEWDU No: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFRuI1OzzBk Thank you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl0PI4rN-k0 Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy4FuQGfQAc |
Where you stand or teach can make a big difference. Moving around as you teach helps keep your students focused. Without skipping a beat, you can move nearer to those students who might be distracted or fooling around. Your proximity will send a message to get back to business, and you don’t usually have to say a word. Pause for a few moments near the student who has been off-task and teach from there for a bit before moving on. A little eye contact helps here as well. A good practice while students are working independently or in small groups is to keep moving among them. If you are working with a small group, scan your classroom. Are your students safe? On task? If not, use a nonverbal cue or if needed, move to those students (or have them come to you!).
Get Tech-know
Implement technology and take a virtual field trip all from your classroom!
Here are a few I've found and one I created!
Take a Virtual Tour of the National Constitution Center on Constitution Day
Roots of Democracy—Greek-inspired Architecture and Columns in Roswell, GA Virtual Tour
I created this one...
https://sites.google.com/site/welchsclass/sem/semvirtualtour-greece
Judicial, Executive, and Legislative Branch Virtual Tours
■ http://www.congressforkids.net/ Judicialbranch_supremecourt.htm
■ http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/overview.htm
■ http://www.congressforkids.net/Legislativebranch_house.htm
Paul Revere’s House
■ http://www.paulreverehouse.org/
WWI Interactive Poems
■ http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/worldwarone/hq/activities.shtml
Virtual Cell
■ http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm
How Are Fossils Formed Scavenger Hunt
■ http://welchsclassscience.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-are-fossils-formed.html
Virtual Pond
■ http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/ponddip/index.html
Vanguard Team - Apply with Ms. Welch!
September 8 is the deadline to apply to the Vanguard Team. I am applying and would love to work with you! Read more information here: http://fultonvanguardteam.weebly.com/
Have a great holiday weekend!
~Heather