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Sunday, January 26, 2020

Please, Stop Talking!

Hi friends,
Do you find yourself telling your students to stop talking?  Do you find it's like tug-of-war?
Unwanted chatting is near the top of the list of my frustrations as a teacher.  Although I don’t consider it a severe misbehavior, it does still disrupt learning.  It’s tricky, because it’s hard to figure out why it’s happening and why none of the strategies you try seem to work.  (Even strategies that worked with a previous class may not work again.)  Sometimes, it seems so out of control that it can make you question whether stopping the constant chatter is even possible.
The truth is, you can fix excessive chatting and expect silence whenever you need it. But you need a game plan.

Here’s what I do:
# 1 DEFINE SILENCE
I know it sounds RIDICULOUS, but many students just don’t know what it means. They don’t know what it looks, feels, and sounds like. It’s a foreign concept to them.  Therefore, you must define silence for them—what it is and, more important, what it isn’t—and let them experience it. Model what they should look like while working independently or listening to lessons.  You will need to model this Every. Single. Day. until your class can be silent when you give a signal.  Be consistent.  Eventually, they will follow through with what you expect.  But some groups of students do need more practice than others.  Make them prove they get it.
There must be complete understanding of what silence is according to your definition before you can ask them to replicate it.
#2 EXPLAIN WHY
Your students need to know the why of your decisions and then this will cause them to be more accepting and supportive of your wishes.  Make sure that you EXPLAIN how silence benefits them and why it is a good thing!  They need to know that the ability to concentrate for long periods of time is a critical skill that is key to their learning.

#3 TEACH A SIGNAL
This is an incredibly powerful strategy. For the times when you require silence, like while you’re teaching a lesson or they’re working independently, teach your students a hand signal—a thumbs down sign or anything you like—they can use if a neighbor turns to talk to them.  Students using the sign are not allowed to speak to the other student, look at them, or make any other gesture. They just hold up their signal and continue working.
When the student who was talking sees the signal from his/her classmate gets back to work immediately, then you will not need to step in and give a consequence.  This is one of those strategies that I have found to work extremely well in the moment.
#4 ENFORCE IMMEDIATELY
Your students need to understand that no talking really means no talking.  If your class does get uncontrollably chatty, and everyone is talking while you’re trying to teach or they’re trying to work, then stop the lesson in its tracks.  Wait for silence, go back to the previous transition, and state your expectations again. Review your definition of silence. Don’t show any frustration. Don’t lecture, plead, or complain.
Just prove you’re a person of your word.
I hope you find this technique helpful,
-Sandra @ The Happy Learning Den
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Sunday, January 19, 2020

Differentiating Your Test Prep

Hi friends,


It's officially here!  Winter break is all but a distant memory, and test preparation season is in full swing.  Sigh.


I know it can seem like an overwhelming task.  How on earth do you differentiate your test prep with all the different abilities in your classroom, fit it all into the school week, and still teach your grade level standards?


The answer is "simple:" Your classroom centers.


You are going to differentiate each center, each week, for your students by looking at the data.  Yes, that dreaded 4-letter word.  I will say it again.... data.  It really can be your friend, but you have to embrace it.



Look back at the standards you have already taught this year, and the assessments you have given.  What standards did most of your students struggle with? I like to focus on 3 at a time in 3 week intervals.  Each week students rotate through the 3 center activities, and the previous week is easier than the current one.  Students stay on the same standard for 3 weeks, and then switch to a new one (out of the same 3).  You keep repeating this cycle until standards have been hit.  Just make sure that your students are grouped by strength so that some students aren't doing all the work.  It’s okay to put a student in a lower or higher group, depending on your classroom make up, but you need to make sure you provide support/enrichment.

I taught first grade for 5 years and third grade for 8 years.  In both grades, students had actual center time.  A rotation was posted on the board and routines were followed.  Now that I teach 5th grade, I still have my students in centers, but it works a little different.  I give my students’ “Educational Learning Choices” after they have finished their “Must Do’s” each day.
 
In my class students must use the online I.Ready  Reading and Math program (40 minutes per subject) each week.  To manage this, it is listed under their “Must Do’s” for the day. With “Must Do’s” and “May Do’s” students learn time management and work for center time.

Samples for Daily "Must Do’s:"
1)20 minutes of I.Ready (MW is Reading, TTh is Math, and then I look at the data and let students know what they are doing on Friday.  Friday is also a time they can make up time if they were absent.)
2)Read Works: An Article a Day.  I highly recommend you look into this.  It is free, and you can assign your students different articles depending on their ability level (online program).

I also have weekly "Must Do’s" that are due each Friday.  So students might opt to work on it a little each day, or a huge chunk of it one day and not the rest, but it is up to them as long as it is completed by Friday.   What if students don’t complete these assignments?  The way I handle it is this, 3 strikes and you’re out.  If any student misses 3 deadlines, then that student and I sit down and work out a daily schedule for the daily amount of time they need to work on each task.  

Some of the Must Do’s that are due on Friday are 
★ Accelerated Reader (AR) tests (due every 2 weeks)
★ Reading Comprehension Centers
★ Math Reteach/Enrichment pages depending on the week.

May Do’s (aka Educational Learning Choices): These are student choices.  Every single one is academic!  By allowing students to choose their learning activities (ie centers), they feel empowered and are ready and open-minded to learn more.  
Some examples of "May Do’s:"
★ Prodigy: Online math game
★ Versatiles
★ Reading Silently or Buddy Read
★ Hot Dots (I have these for Reading, Math, and Science.)
★ Flash cards

Of course, students meet with me in their reading and math groups as well.  I generally teach  each  group  for  20 minutes and the rest of the time is theirs to work on their assignments - while I meet with the other groups.  

A few things to remember:
1) Routines and procedures are crucial. 
2) Centers should run themselves. 
3) You can differentiate for your students in centers. 
4) During center time, you can pull back students who needed more one-on-one attention. This is also a great time to join in with a group of students during center time to observe, assess, and/or have fun.  I try to join in with one group each week, and rotate the groups that I visit.
5) Every student can feel successful during center time. 

The best piece of advice I can give to you, is make it work for you. Change things as you go and change it up until it fits your style and your vision. 

I hope this is helpful for you!  
If you have any questions or suggestions for others 
please leave them in the comments below.

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Sunday, January 12, 2020

Happy New Year (and test prep season)!


Happy New Year, friends!
We made it!  A brand new year, a brand new decade, and just in time for ... testing season!! :-(  If you teach in any grade that has high stakes testing at any point in the year, then this post is for you.  If you are one of the lucky teachers who doesn't need to worry about it, then read on so you can understand what your colleagues are going through.  Because. It. Sucks.

 Parents start stressing out their children.  They don't mean to, and they mean well.  After all, they love their children... but I find that when testing season comes around each year, parents start amping up the pressure to do well in school so they are ready for the TEST.

 We are also stressed out.  (I mean we always are, but this is different.)  Teachers and schools are evaluated based on how well (or poorly) students perform on a test.  Which is ridiculous to say the least, but I am preaching to the choir now.

 And let's not forget our students.  Their stress shows up in many different forms - from anxiety to meltdowns to throwing up to not sleeping - we have seen it all.

 Yes, you need to review, and review, and review, and ... but it doesn't need to be worksheet after worksheet, after mind numbing worksheet!  Make your test prep FUN and ENGAGING!  I like to incorporate games into my weekly plans already, but you can easily do this with old tests...

 1)  Play Scoot with test questions:  Go back to those questions that stumped your students on tests or any assignment, put one question per desk, and have your students move around the room to answer the questions.  They are up and moving. I allow students to work in pairs if needed, so they are talking about the content.  And they are ENGAGED!  More than if you gave them the same content in standard worksheet form.

 2) Play 4 Corners:  Give students time to work out a problem at their seats.  Again, I allow then to work in pairs if they want to.  Once all students have completed the problem they move to the corner you designate.  (So corner one, if they think the answer is A. Corner 2, if they think the answer is B- and so on.

 3) Keep track of who is understanding the review and who needs an extra small group for added support.  It doesn't need to be anything fancy.  A clip board and the standard(s) each game is addressing is all you need as you walk around.  Jot down names and a comment about what students are struggling with as they work.  Easy peasy!

 I would love to know what you do to keep the test prep engaging.  Please leave your idea(s) in the comment section below.

 Good luck to you and your students!

 See you soon,
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

   
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Sunday, January 5, 2020

Getting Back Into a Routine After a Holiday Break

Hi friends,
Wow!  That was a much deserved, well-earned, and time well spent break!  But like all good things,winter break has come to an end.

Getting back into the swing of things post holiday hubbub is difficult for students and teachers. Your students just spent days — maybe even weeks — being entertained by family, friends and celebrations. Getting back into a normal routine can be challenging, but proactive teachers can help ease the transition by following a few simple tips.
First, take time to reconnect with students. If you can, aim for some one-on-one time with each student throughout the day. Take a moment to talk with each student during small-group times or at lunch if you eat with your class (Make them earn that lunch bunch the first day(s) back!).
The holidays are all about bending rules. Children (and adults) eat more sweets than usual. They stay up later than the normal bedtime. They get to do things they don't normally do. When they are back in school, it's time to change this mindset. A good idea is to review classroom rules your class and talk about the day's routine much like you did the first week of school.
One thing not to do is avoid talking about the holidays. You may think this will help your students focus more quickly, but really it can increase the holiday blues and build up tough emotions. Instead, during writing time, allow each child to write about a favorite holiday memory. Then allow volunteers to share their memories.  Do your best to avoid talking about presents, as you don't want any child to feel bad about receiving fewer or different gifts. 
As for the curriculum for the first days back at school, don't plan anything too big or challenging. Simply focus on adjusting back to the school routine and avoid any field trips or tough lessons. 
In addition to thoughtful lessons, make sure to plan plenty of time for movement. Your students have been moving a lot during holiday break; let them get those wiggles out at school, too! It's a perfect time to play Scoot or 4 Corners with review questions and task cards. Are you game?  And if you need new task cards, click here to see my teachers pay teachers store.  I have task cards galore!

Getting back into the swing of things can be tough for anyone. 
But if you follow these tips, some of the hardest days of the school year will become some of the most enjoyable.  Now, when is that next break? :-)
Until next time,

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