Instruction
This Section:
3a. My Favorite People
3b. Thinking Deeper
3c. Trashketball
3d. Assessments
3e. Move Mondays
3a. My Favorite People
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I have always enjoyed teaching due to the connections I get to make with students. Throughout the year, I have tried to go above and beyond for students to provide opportunities to build relationships. I have spent lunch connecting with students, creating inside jokes, formulating lessons based on their interests, asking questions, connecting with families, and becoming friends with each student I interact with. I am so grateful for my students this year, and they will always hold a special place in my heart.
3b. Thinking Deeper
"Did you know, when you wonder, you're learning?" - Fred Rogers
Writing Brainstorming
Writing is a goal most of my students have for their IEPs. Therefore, it can make them overwhelmed. We have utilized questioning their ideas and visual brainstorming to help students understand that they are capable to express themselves through writing.
Campfire Talks
I have spent the year co-teaching with the remarkable, Tara O'Leary (6th Grade ELA). We have utilized flexible seating and personalized discussions that encourage students to think outside of the box. Students think through Dok 3/4 concepts and questions to answer and reach their learning targets.
Daily Lego Builds
Every morning, our math class starts with a lego build where students must build their thoughts on a question. We spend the first part of class discussing their thoughts, and I facilitate discussions where both the students and myself help each other think deeper and wonder more about the topics at hand.
3c. Trashketball
With Special Education, students learning in unique ways. My group loves to move around the classroom, so we sometimes play a basketball game for math concepts. We start with students in pairs where they complete a round of questions to get them correct first. The first group gets three shots at the net, then two and one shot for the second and third teams. They have to work as a team to get the most shots and questions correct.
3d. Assessments
Math Exit Tickets:
Every day at the end of math class, students completed an exit ticket about the concepts we went over that week. They completed them independently to assess their understanding. Then, we reflected on our answers and the way we solved. This allowed me to adjust instruction and gauge their understanding of the content.
IXL Group Jams:
Each week the students had to complete two IXLs on their own. However, some weeks I utilized Group Jams on IXL to gauge their understanding. I put the IXL up on the board, and students worked to complete problems. Then, if students got the questions incorrect, we went over the problems together to better understand the concepts. We went over the IXLs for the week in class and at MTSS to help students better understand concepts through practice and repetition.
Gallery Walks:
Every week to test the students in what they know, they completed either independent or partner gallery walks. There were ten questions spread around the room they had to correctly complete in a 30 minute time frame. Students utilized their resources (such as multiplication charts) to help them solve and finish the walk! Afterwards as a whole group, the students and I would review their answers and how they solved to make sure they understood the concept of the week.
3e. Move Monday
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Due to some trainings and research on flexible seating, I had the students give their input on everything room involved to help create a better learning environment. I have had my desk everywhere in the room, including the middle of the room! The students and I have tried all sorts of new seating, lighting, sounds, and more. Even though it isn't directly instruction related, at least I thought at the beginning, the changes the students and I made to the room helped their learning directly. Most teachers would not change their room every Monday, especially based on what the students wanted, but I did to enhance their learning and make them feel comfortable and at home. Click on the graphic to see the Google Form for Move Mondays!