August 31, 2010

Homework:
Return blue e-mail and permission slip.
Bring in vocab book money.

Today:
We started to explore this essential question: What are the qualities of a classroom where students can learn and a teacher can teach?  I put the students into groups, and they came up with a description of what we would see, what we would hear, and what procedures would be done in an effective classroom.  (Two classes described the opposite- what it would be like in an ineffective classroom.)  Here are a few examples:


o Team Positive and Demeaning- constructive criticism
o Team Positive and Supportive- attentive and happy students, they know you support them, you need to try harder, reasonable, show their flaws so they can improve
o Team Supportive but Realistic- looks like students are never bored, fun, cheering, it’s not ok to fail, encourage, humorous, show you your flaws but encourage you to do better
o Team Happy Angels Who Are Nice to Everyone- friendly, supportive posters, no bad stuff, always get along, help each other, teachers encourage, happy educational books
o Team Fluffy Bunny- no one can be angry when he/she is holding a fluffy bunny in his/her hands!

(Classroom that won’t help teachers teach or students learn.)
o Team Stressful- teacher gives too much work and students are stressed, kids talk too much to their friends, daydreaming, teacher too boring
o Home of the Evil Spirits- no explanation of the work, talking while teacher is texting, kids not showing up, don’t sit still, play with stuff, sleep, eat, screaming, silence from teacher, door slamming, haunted classroom
o The Classroom of Doom!- talking, screaming, phones going off, iPods playing, arguments, running, standing, spitballs, trash, sleeping, pranks, teaching chewing gum while talking on phone doing Facebook, cutting of class.
o The Chaotic Kids- kids do not follow instructions, loud, talking while teacher is talking, texting by both teacher and students, inappropriate discussions, teacher lets personal issues affect the class, picks favorites, writes on walls, standing up
o Crazy Catastrophe- trash, desks are away from teacher, books all over, pictures and posters all over, computers broken, talking, texting, yelling, singing, teacher gives too much work, eating, sleeping, paper airplanes

The first day of school 2010-2011

Parents,
The new school year has started!  I am excited to get going.  Today I spent most of the time getting the students into their assigned seats and talking about my expectations.  My rules are posted on my walls: respect the property of others, be caring, be fair, be honest, be responsible, be honest, respect the rules, respect the feelings of others, respect people's differences, be helpful, and do what you think is best.

I also discussed what we will be studying this year: writing!  Everything I teach in my class is to improve their writing.  We will do Vocabulary Workshop, grammar, mechanics, and write a lot.  I will also be stressing perfect grammar more than I have in the past.  I believe that students are spending too much time writing in situations where imperfect grammar is accepted.  I believe this will impair their ability to use proper grammar when they need it.  One assignment they must complete this marking period is a 300-400 work piece that has not one single error. 

I will explain more tomorrow.  For now, welcome!  (Oh, and if you find an error in my daily blog and send me an e-mail, I will admit my mistake to the class!  Please, try to find them!)