Today I offered quite a bit of time for my sophomore students to work. You know, that typical, "Hey, you guys have an assignment to do and I am giving you classtime to do it," scenerio. The problem is -- few people take advantage of the time. I don't know, maybe some students live under a rock, or maybe your parents force you to live in a locked basement, but it is obvious that some haven't been paying attention to the news lately because our very own President just addressed the students of our nation and challenged them NOT to offer excuses for their bad performances in school, but to take advantage of every opportunity available. Do a search and check out the speech. Whether you agree with the man or not, the content of the speech needs to be shouted from the rooftops: "you are responsible for you!"
So, to bring it back to the class, the activities of today were a little disappointing. I've mentioned once or twice that I am somewhat of a reacctive teacher -- meaning that I adjust according to the personality of the class. If a class cannot handle down time to do work, down time will become extremely limited. The assignments will not change, though. Meaning, homework becomes a reality. If a class CAN handle the down time and work effectively, then my instructional strategies become simple: small doses of instruction and large doses of classtime to do work. This also allows me the opportunity to work with individual students who need my assistance.
This brings me to my last point: classroom management. I will be moving the class into more of the learning center format. I will decide the groups. This will also allow me to meet with small groups more frequently. The format will be quite simple: 5-7 minutes of introduction, 3 10-minute groups, and then about 5 minutes of followup.
Now, your turn. Let me know what you think.
^.^ I really didn't think that the Obama speech was going to make much sense at all. BUT when i watched the Vid. it surprisingly made me think. (which is a good thing) inspiring. 4 stars.
ReplyDeleteDear Mr.Kimble,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for our behavior as a class. I will make a conscious effort to change. If our class behavior seems unsatisfactory due to our lack of focus then as a class we must work on focusing harder
I really wish more teachers would do this. It can help students make a better effort towards classwork. And same goes for the classhomework.com. I really think if more teachers did that, it could actually make things a lot easier.
ReplyDeletethis is a good way to inform kids
ReplyDeleteI believe that giving students class time to work on homework promotes actually getting the work done. Sure, there will always be a couple of students who don't take advantage of the time, but that is the way of the world. The students who use the time wisely and to their advantage should not be punished though. Most students have extra-curricular activities that they are involved with and allowing class time to complete work allows them to focus on their work and relieves stress. Groups are also good for learning. They help people share ideas and pool ideas together to get a better grasp for the concept of the things they are discussing.
ReplyDeleteFriday, when i really experienced the learning center format, i decided i like i tlaot more than before. It was more individuality. Even though im in the Iliad group first =/ i think ill understand it more from this format.
ReplyDelete-kb-7th hour.
getting time to work on the homework in class is a good way to get done with it. instead of having no time at all to finish it and take it home. then you have to do homework and on some days you might be busy with something other than school work. the time in class helps alot of kids get the homework done instead of pushing it to the side until its too late to do it. TS-7
ReplyDeleteI think that our class has a very hard time staying focused. we are always getting off topic and there are many side conversations going on. but getting time in class to work on our homework or essays takes a lot of stress off the ones who use it very well. i try to use my time wisely but i know that i get off track sometimes. but dont we all. kdp 6th
ReplyDeleteyes, i do think our class has a hard time staying focused sometimes. but other times we can be, in all, a generally good class. the group thing, for our class, was not a good choice in my opinion. I dont think it was that good of a choice because we were split up and that made focusing worse for some people. but, since that is over and we are taught as a whole agian i think maybe the behavior will improve.
ReplyDeleteals1
I think your right.... Our class has a hard time being focused and we don't use our time wisely... but that makes me change the way that i think or things because I could change the way i act so that we might get more time to work or vise versa..
ReplyDeleteKEM 1
While i would agree our class often has large problems focusing, it is also important to keep in mind that it is the first hour of the day and students often don't get into the idea of working until at least halfway through the first hour. While i know this idea might be a lame excuse and that students should try harder to pay attention in class in the morning but i believe it is an important variable to consider. XP 1st
ReplyDeleteFocusing is a really hard thing for our 1st hour class.....i know you know this but we get off topic A LOT. I really wish we did have like 10 more min of class like alton, it would really help. but homework really sucks, but it would really help sometimes if you reminded us when we DO have homework :D thanks miranda sue
ReplyDeleteI know for me, I only like to do my work in class because usually I have stuff after school and so the fact that you are giving class time to get our work done and to get it done rightand that we will focus more...is AWESOME! It will ensure that everyone will actually understand what they are doing instead of them struggling and wondering what they should be doing. And I agree with Travis that it also allows students to share ideas and get the opportunity to work together. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteSS 1st hour
Class gets off topic very easily and i can tell you get frustrated when you are trying to get the class to get focused again. I like that we get class time to work on things because it takes some pressure off you at night if you have homework in other classes. On the other hand, if it is loud in class its hard to do your work when you get time to do it.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be either get class time and be quiet or dont and have a more discusion in class, and follow through with the decision.
I think you are doing very well coming to JCHS though.
JT 1st
I sincerely enjoy having class time to work out assignments. Sure it can be distracting, and you may not always have the time neccissary for every little thing, but largely it is much better than having homework. If a student has a question they arent stranded at home, they can actually ask their teacher about it while it still counts!
ReplyDeletetjc1
I totally agree with you when you say students dont take advantage of their work you give them in class to do. I havent heard the speech from the president but "You are responsible for you" is really what needs to be written ever where on the walls...etc. So people get the point. I dont think the group thing worked out during the class Im in, cuz are class is to distractive and doesnt get work done at all. But the way you are teaching now is a better method than the other way you were doing it. I dont really know what else to say to this one tho. Except for our class doesnt need any 'Down' time or w/e.
ReplyDeleteWC6
I really enjoy utilizing class time to get assignments done and I was a bit disapointed when we were in 3 groups it was hard for me to focus on the task I was given. When I was in the SSR group I read 3 pages one day because I was listening to a conversation/ debate between you and a couple of students. So I guess I agree that we can't handle down time and I wish we could because it would be helpful to get assignments done at school vs. at home when there is a million more distractions.
ReplyDeleteaeb1
I think that the working in groups helped a lot, especially with the Illiad. Working with less people, you were able to help us individually with our questions.
ReplyDeleteMT 1st Hour
In my opinion when you give me classwork I love it because you can ask questions and get some help where otherwise if you do the work at home you dont have that luxury.
ReplyDeleteCCB 3rd hour