Excellence in Education
I’m going to try something new and I hope you’re willing to
participate by visiting the blog site and leaving your suggestions by
commenting.
At our December faculty meeting each of you asked a
question, I’m going to do my best to come up with an answer. Often my “answers”
will be stolen from you—strategies that I’ve learned by observing the best teachers in the nation.
When students are assigned work, they often finish at different times.
This is especially troublesome at the end of class because the finished
students can become distracted.
Students are strategically grouped in groups of 4 with a
high, 2 middle, and low student. Students are not permitted to turn their
completed work until everyone in the group is done. Students will need to learn
and practice how to help and teach instead of simply giving their partners the
answers. If there’s still time left in class when everyone is finished,
students should practice and quiz other members of their group. Some students
will need more structure (make flashcards, for example) while others will do
splendidly with little guidance.
Credit for this idea goes to Natasha Marple and Mr. Whitt, who I student taught with.
Ideas for the Classroom: New Improved
Remind101
By now you know I’m a huge fan of Remind101. Well, they’ve
added a new feature called Send to a Few.
Using this new feature you can send a text to a select subgroup of students
(minimum of 3). It still provides all the protections of Remind101 (not sharing
your number with students) but allows you to target your message to specific
students.
Some examples of how this could be used:
1.
Remind students who are presenting tomorrow of
their presentation. Don’t forget to have
your presentation ready to go tomorrow. Looking forward to it!
2.
Alert select students to an upcoming deadline. Tomorrow’s the deadline to turn in your
essay, please be sure to bring it tomorrow.
3.
As coaches, you can send a message to your
captains or select position players. Pitchers,
be prepared to stay after practice tomorrow.
4.
Remind students who haven’t turned in permission
slips of an upcoming deadline. Don’t
forget that all permission slips for our field trip to Richmond are due
Wednesday
Here’s a video explaining the new feature http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbCXvBaLDns
Administrative Notes
You’ve experienced our great edcamps.
Wouldn’t you like to share that experience with teachers from other schools?
Why not go to an upcoming edcamp?
March 29:
EdCamp Arlington (Washington-Lee HS)
April 5:
EdCamp MetroDC (Stone Ridge School, Bethesda)
I’ve signed up for both. Let me know
if you’re interested in going/carpooling. I’ll see if we can get PD/Opt-Out
credit as well.
Oh yeah, the organizers of these events often drum up lots
of great sponsors with free gifts and prizes!
Tonight’s #vachat topic is
Teacher Leadership. Join us at 8. Use www.tweetchat.com
to easily follow and participate.
Stat of the Week
According to famed educational researcher John Hattie, friendships are perhaps the most critical
element in a student’s attachment to the school community.
Not surprising, but
something we should never lose sight of.
What I’m Reading
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