April: Ride the Waves of Change
Change often feels unexpected, unwanted, too fast, too rough. It happens to us. Or at least it feels that way, like something forced on us by those with more power. Change challenges our mental models of how things should be or how we want them to be, which can trigger an emotion cycle. Human beings like control, yet at the core of change - whether it is a change we want or one we don't want - is a grand shift in our relationships to control.
Change is the one thing we can count on, and when we encounter it, we can harness our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energies, and direct them where they will make the biggest difference. Perseverance, patience, and courage help us manage change.
The End is Near!
Can you believe the end of the 23-24 school year is quickly approaching? As a beginning teacher I struggled to find different ways to make instruction engaging near the end of the year while reviewing and preparing my kids for EOY testing. Linked HERE are tons of resources to ensure you finish the year strong!
A Guide to Effective Reteaching
Edulastic (switching to "Peardeck")
This site offers a massive bank of standards aligned questions teachers can pull from to create formative assessments. As students take the assessment, teachers get the results in real time, allowing them to make instructional decisions right away.
Wide item bank
Integrates with other platforms (Canvas)
As soon hits next button, you can see results immediately
Can stop whole group and reteach
Can create different small groups
Free basic reports
Students are added using a one time code, then they will have access to your class for the long term
Respond and Rank!
STUDENTS WORK TOGETHER TO ANSWER A QUESTION AND WILL VOTE ON THE BEST GROUP’S ANSWER.
1. Select one essential question for your students to answer. (Put them in groups of 2-3)
2. They will work together to answer the question and write their final response on their chart paper or white board. Have them put their names on the back
3. Display all of the final responses around the classroom. Make sure to number them.
4. Students will travel around the room together and read their classmate’s responses. They will make notes about what they like about each response. This can be done on notebook paper.
5. After they read all of the responses, each group will vote for what they think is the best response (They can not vote for their own) They will vote by placing a sticky note on their favorite response.
6. Celebrate the winning response!
Mrs. Loftis is a 6th grade Math Teacher at Wadesboro Elementary School in Anson County. She is a first year teacher with a passion for educating students! Prior to teaching, Mrs. Loftis served as a Community College Liaison for Stanly Early College. Her principal, Kevin Adams, also worked at Stanly Community College and asked Mrs. Loftis if she would like to teach at Wadesboro Elementary. After putting thought into his offer, she decided to make a career change into teaching this year. When asked why she chose to switch to teaching, Mrs. Loftis stated “I needed to be part of the solution to help students in school.” This is what her coach, Katie King, has to say about her:
Mrs. Loftis is a vibrant, hard-working, and intuitive first year teacher. She cares deeply about the students she serves and uses data to drive her instructional decisions. When Mrs. Loftis teaches a lesson, it is always designed with her students in mind. She often shifts her instructional moves and approaches to fit the needs of each class period. As her coach, I have been so impressed with how in tune she is with what her students need the most. We have had many conversations this year centered on how to grow each student and what she notices is working and/or not working as she is teaching. Mrs. Loftis is open to all feedback given, asks questions frequently, and implements new instructional strategies she has learned with fidelity.
She offers tutoring to students before school several times a week to add an extra layer of support for students who are seeking it. She studies her standards deeply and crafts lessons to meet the rigor of each standard. Mrs. Loftis understands the trajectory her students need to follow to be successful, and offers many levels of support to get them there. She truly is a gift to the students she serves!
When I asked Mrs. Loftis what she has discovered in her role as a first year teacher she said “This job is a lot harder than any job I have done my entire life. It can be draining, but at the same time when a student “gets it”, everything is worth it to me! I have seen so many students grow in their math skills, they are very capable!” Mrs. Loftis hopes to continue to make a difference in students' lives, as she remembers two previous teachers doing for her. In 2nd grade Mrs. Loftis shared that she was behind in reading and math. She remembers two very special teachers working with her constantly to help her succeed. With this memory in mind, Mrs. Loftis stated “I want to be that teacher for my students!” As her coach, I have no doubts that she is.
