We have been focusing a lot on teen issues through documentaries and discussions. We have also done extensive research on various high schools and their requirements. Students have furthermore time to do homework or makeup work, AR and Alex.
Lots of reminders via announcements, fliers, posters, emails, and social media. Not slowing things down at the end of the year and continuing with fun activities like the "YOK Quiz Bowl" tomorrow and the "Book Swap" on May 22.
I use many activities and resources to check on their grades, AR, Aleks, and tests. Class Dojo really helps, notebook/agenda reviews, videos and discussions really help. We also look at high school requirements, calculate GPA and discuss life skills as a class.
Keep reminding them (preaching to the choir) about making good choices. They're all good people, just that sometimes we make bad decisions. Let's minimize the bad decisions. I also remind them that their time is running out for making up work in other classes...
We have discussions about their responsibilities and goals for the end of the year, not just setting goals but also creating a plan to reach them. Help students understand HOW to speak to a teach; "Why did you give me that grade" is not going to make a teacher want to discuss their grades, for example.
I've been more positive in my thinking towards them. I have done many positive phone calls and I have also started passing out good behavior certificates. The behavior has improved with many of my students. There are still issues here and there but even that has calmed down too.
With the warm, sunny weather, my sixth graders are getting cabin fever. We've been taking a break from intramural sports since the soccer tournament, but the young ladies are eager to get back out there for hockey. In the meantime, I keep giving them reminders about Smarter Balanced, the Quiz Bowl, and progress reports.
My goal this year is to have my girls collect good and bad pieces of work from their core classes. This will help us reflect on how we can improve our "bad" work. We will also look at what did they do to complete a "good" work. I am trying to make this the norm for the next two years to see how, we have improved. My goal is to focus on IMPROVEMENT ALWAYS.
Talking, emphasizing everything that is important, reflect on behavior and how it will have greater consequences as they move from one grade to the other in particular 8th grade. How grades affect and dictate their school life. Allowing them to vent in an appropriate manner and trying to find a way to change things.
I provide time for them to catch up on their Aleks and AR scores. Extra support to complete their homework assignment. We read social stories and discuss good decisions and appropriate study skills to help them get better grades. Provide extra incentives (pizza party) to keep them on track.
For 8th graders advisory grades count against culmination. Continuing with effective practices like Monday check-in. Group and one-on-one discussions and informal counseling. Using the trust and respect that has been built up over the last 3 years. Showing pictures and work students have done over the last 3 years.
I maintain the same advisory schedule to ensure consistency. I try to maintain close communication with parents of students that need further support. The most crucial aspect is being there for my students as a mentor and be able to check in with students and as a whole class discussion on their main present issues.
I think a time of reflection (formal or informal) of this school year would be good. Ask them to weigh out the good and bad of this year, and what they can do better for next year. This can include what they want to see or happen as a whole school or as an individual. I think advisory can be used where the students do most of the talking and collaborating with the teacher's aid in asking open-ended questions. This can take the conversation anywhere. Try to do the reflection in a fun way (since it is towards the last days of school). :) Just throwing an idea out there... maybe you and your students can write up a vision plan or a contract for next year with their signature. This would be more meaningful since the students took part in this action (instead of restricting to what the teacher only wants). Blow up this plan or contract and post it up in one of the classrooms they will be in next year. This can cover what they expect for next school year. Just a thought...
Likewise, I will be pushing the 6th graders to continue earning AR/ALEX points to support their math and English grades. Students will be asked to draft a contract with themselves to end the year strong in the class where they are meeting the greatest difficulty.
We have been focusing a lot on teen issues through documentaries and discussions. We have also done extensive research on various high schools and their requirements. Students have furthermore time to do homework or makeup work, AR and Alex.
ReplyDeleteLots of reminders via announcements, fliers, posters, emails, and social media. Not slowing things down at the end of the year and continuing with fun activities like the "YOK Quiz Bowl" tomorrow and the "Book Swap" on May 22.
ReplyDeleteWe talk about responsibilities and deadlines. Students are encouraged to participate in the conversation by giving each other their best advice.
ReplyDeleteI use many activities and resources to check on their grades, AR, Aleks, and tests. Class Dojo really helps, notebook/agenda reviews, videos and discussions really help. We also look at high school requirements, calculate GPA and discuss life skills as a class.
ReplyDeleteKeep reminding them (preaching to the choir) about making good choices. They're all good people, just that sometimes we make bad decisions. Let's minimize the bad decisions. I also remind them that their time is running out for making up work in other classes...
ReplyDeleteWe have discussions about their responsibilities and goals for the end of the year, not just setting goals but also creating a plan to reach them. Help students understand HOW to speak to a teach; "Why did you give me that grade" is not going to make a teacher want to discuss their grades, for example.
ReplyDeleteI've been more positive in my thinking towards them. I have done many positive phone calls and I have also started passing out good behavior certificates. The behavior has improved with many of my students. There are still issues here and there but even that has calmed down too.
ReplyDeleteI think at this time of year we really have to start focusing on those good students, nice idea I'm going to start to do the same.
DeleteWith the warm, sunny weather, my sixth graders are getting cabin fever. We've been taking a break from intramural sports since the soccer tournament, but the young ladies are eager to get back out there for hockey. In the meantime, I keep giving them reminders about Smarter Balanced, the Quiz Bowl, and progress reports.
ReplyDeleteMy goal this year is to have my girls collect good and bad pieces of work from their core classes. This will help us reflect on how we can improve our "bad" work. We will also look at what did they do to complete a "good" work. I am trying to make this the norm for the next two years to see how, we have improved. My goal is to focus on IMPROVEMENT ALWAYS.
ReplyDeleteTalking, emphasizing everything that is important, reflect on behavior and how it will have greater consequences as they move from one grade to the other in particular 8th grade. How grades affect and dictate their school life. Allowing them to vent in an appropriate manner and trying to find a way to change things.
ReplyDeleteI provide time for them to catch up on their Aleks and AR scores. Extra support to complete their homework assignment. We read social stories and discuss good decisions and appropriate study skills to help them get better grades. Provide extra incentives (pizza party) to keep them on track.
ReplyDeleteFor 8th graders advisory grades count against culmination. Continuing with effective practices like Monday check-in. Group and one-on-one discussions and informal counseling. Using the trust and respect that has been built up over the last 3 years. Showing pictures and work students have done over the last 3 years.
ReplyDeleteI maintain the same advisory schedule to ensure consistency. I try to maintain close communication with parents of students that need further support.
ReplyDeleteThe most crucial aspect is being there for my students as a mentor and be able to check in with students and as a whole class discussion on their main present issues.
I think a time of reflection (formal or informal) of this school year would be good. Ask them to weigh out the good and bad of this year, and what they can do better for next year. This can include what they want to see or happen as a whole school or as an individual. I think advisory can be used where the students do most of the talking and collaborating with the teacher's aid in asking open-ended questions. This can take the conversation anywhere. Try to do the reflection in a fun way (since it is towards the last days of school). :) Just throwing an idea out there... maybe you and your students can write up a vision plan or a contract for next year with their signature. This would be more meaningful since the students took part in this action (instead of restricting to what the teacher only wants). Blow up this plan or contract and post it up in one of the classrooms they will be in next year. This can cover what they expect for next school year. Just a thought...
ReplyDeleteLikewise, I will be pushing the 6th graders to continue earning AR/ALEX points to support their math and English grades. Students will be asked to draft a contract with themselves to end the year strong in the class where they are meeting the greatest difficulty.
ReplyDeleteThey love the preferred activity time after 20 minutes of aleks and 20 minutes of ar and free style writing
ReplyDelete