My learning targets were "I am learning to be better organized" and "I can collaborate." Organized referred to Friday binder, planner and notes. Collaboration refers to playing together as a way to build academic trust.
We played Last Word (go to the AVID Northwest website for details)in small teams and I had the tutors group together as a team too. I like to create a little competitiveness and the tutors are part of the team. The deal was that if the tutors were in the "leaders seats" by the end of the class, their pay would go up 1000% and they would receive new cars. If any student group was in the "leaders seats" by the end of class, every student would receive a piece of candy (I know...healthy schools conflict).
Raucous good fun...at the end of the period, I had them do a quick reflection orally...give on get one, "How does playing games like this improve the class?"
I tell my kids all the time (and they finish the sentence for me) "the number one reason people are fired from Fortune 500 companies is...they don't get along with others."
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
tutorials II
The tutors and I talked it over and decided that it would be better for me to roam (clipboard cruise). I can help out with management ideas and the rubric for tutorials for tutors, teacher and students is terrific as a reflective resource. Plus I'm noticing that despite my best efforts I am a focal point in the class and tutorial gives me a chance to be more of a fly on the wall.
I really enjoy watching my student and tutors. We found out the other day that Amanda the tutor (one of the strongest tutors ever) is moving on because of a job opportunity. She will be hard to replace.
I really enjoy watching my student and tutors. We found out the other day that Amanda the tutor (one of the strongest tutors ever) is moving on because of a job opportunity. She will be hard to replace.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
tutorials variation
We are starting the new year with a new tutor. It's a perfect time to ditch regular tutorial and improve collaboration. We're building family. We'll start Tuesday's class with new groupings (I'm going to give the tutors the option of larger groups of 8 or 9 so I can roam or I'll take a group and we'll have groups of 6 or 7).
Next, we'll make name tags that tell more about each other. Each name tag is broken into four parts and the student's name. The parts are favorite music, a story that makes them laugh, something that makes them sad and what would you do if you had $1,000,000. Each part needs an explanation in drawing or words or both. We'll share out at the end.
After name tags, Affirmations. Email me for a copy or go to the Avid Northwest website for a copy. Affirmations are a series of questions intended to let people get to know each other better.
Happy New Year
Next, we'll make name tags that tell more about each other. Each name tag is broken into four parts and the student's name. The parts are favorite music, a story that makes them laugh, something that makes them sad and what would you do if you had $1,000,000. Each part needs an explanation in drawing or words or both. We'll share out at the end.
After name tags, Affirmations. Email me for a copy or go to the Avid Northwest website for a copy. Affirmations are a series of questions intended to let people get to know each other better.
Happy New Year
Monday, December 21, 2009
Alignment 2
We have two grades (7 and 8) and we are hoping to align so kids get the most non-repetitive all around program preparing them for high school. The feeling with our whole district team is that middle school is a foundation for learning AVID skills with a little application and high school is mostly application of AVID skills with a little foundation. It's a journey not a destination.
Here's an example of what we are developing in the two year plan...we want students to create a persuasive paper in 7th grade. There is a whole lot of writing skills to develop through the use of the AVID writing book. What if the culminating project is the persuasive paper and along the way students select from the various skills in the writing book as portions of their portfolio. They get some self direction and responsibility, there is less "boring" presentation, students develop skill (foundation) and produce a final project (persuasive writing). We even have a plan to attach the final drafts to website so families and others will be able to see the work.
We have a ways to go to finalize but it feels like a good plan.
Here's an example of what we are developing in the two year plan...we want students to create a persuasive paper in 7th grade. There is a whole lot of writing skills to develop through the use of the AVID writing book. What if the culminating project is the persuasive paper and along the way students select from the various skills in the writing book as portions of their portfolio. They get some self direction and responsibility, there is less "boring" presentation, students develop skill (foundation) and produce a final project (persuasive writing). We even have a plan to attach the final drafts to website so families and others will be able to see the work.
We have a ways to go to finalize but it feels like a good plan.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Alignment
The AVID Elective teachers in my building got to meet the other day. We all came to the same conclusion about "weeks at a glance" - pacing is helpful but it's difficult to meet the time frame. We've started a plan to align 7th and 8th grade and the high school program, including things like special projects and field trips and Philosophical Chairs and Socratic Seminar. Our rough draft is based on what the high school staff really wants our AVID kids to know.
I think it has potential. As we develop it, I'll add it to the blog or website.
Happy Holidays.
I think it has potential. As we develop it, I'll add it to the blog or website.
Happy Holidays.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
I'm thankful for...
1. The door projects are looking really good. We started the idea a few years ago. Students, working in twos or threes, interview a staff member who graduated from college. Then they research and create a door display that honors the staff member and their school. I've never seen such attention to detail and such high quality artistic presentation. All in all this one project is not what I am most thankful for but it's an example. As frustrated as I get with students and class progression within AVID sometimes, there are so many things going well.
2. The AVID Elective teachers at our school are planning well together. We don't get to talk and plan enough but when we do we're all contributing expertise and effort. We're a lot better than we've ever been because we get along. The last few years the makeup of the team was different and we didn't get along so well. What a difference!
3. Tutorials are developing - I am seeing some skill developing earlier than past first AVID years (I get 7th graders this year). I feel like I am less panicky to get everything done at once and progress slower which seems to result in better quality. We really worked on inquiry process and the progression of questions to get students to ask during tutorial. I make the kids keep the prompts on their desk throughout and we give feedback before students leave at the end of class.
2. The AVID Elective teachers at our school are planning well together. We don't get to talk and plan enough but when we do we're all contributing expertise and effort. We're a lot better than we've ever been because we get along. The last few years the makeup of the team was different and we didn't get along so well. What a difference!
3. Tutorials are developing - I am seeing some skill developing earlier than past first AVID years (I get 7th graders this year). I feel like I am less panicky to get everything done at once and progress slower which seems to result in better quality. We really worked on inquiry process and the progression of questions to get students to ask during tutorial. I make the kids keep the prompts on their desk throughout and we give feedback before students leave at the end of class.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
AVID District Meeting
The other day we met as a district. High School Site team, and the two middle schools' AVID Elective Teachers. We talked about tutors, funding, a grant for the high school that makes them look at AVID tools and AVID school-wide, etc etc. The best part though was about vertical teaming. How do our middle school students perform at the high school? What do we need to do differently?
Here's what we came to...
1. The Connely article from AVID Summer Institute described particular attributes of students who are successful. We talked about how to have students understand the descriptors and assess themselves in reflection.
2. Read more...AVID students need to read more.
3. Math regularly during tutorials that are planned by teachers and tutors in conjunction with the math department instead of all tutorials being student generated (we'll see how that goes).
4. Time management as a focus.
5. We're also going to see if the media class can produce a video about "a Day in the Life of" several high school students to give middle school students a chance to see what the expectations, benefits and negatives are to high school. I think kids are getting tired of hearing what we think they should be and how they should go about it.
We'll see how it works out.
Here's what we came to...
1. The Connely article from AVID Summer Institute described particular attributes of students who are successful. We talked about how to have students understand the descriptors and assess themselves in reflection.
2. Read more...AVID students need to read more.
3. Math regularly during tutorials that are planned by teachers and tutors in conjunction with the math department instead of all tutorials being student generated (we'll see how that goes).
4. Time management as a focus.
5. We're also going to see if the media class can produce a video about "a Day in the Life of" several high school students to give middle school students a chance to see what the expectations, benefits and negatives are to high school. I think kids are getting tired of hearing what we think they should be and how they should go about it.
We'll see how it works out.
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