Ideas for the Classroom: End of Year Ideas
With SOL tests
wrapping up and AP tests in the rear-view mirror, this often becomes my
favorite time of year as I see students imagining, creating, collaborating and
exploring in their classes. With the restraints of standardization lifted, I
love seeing lessons that remind us of why we entered education (it ain’t so
students can do well on a multiple choice test).
Some of the great
things I’ve seen in the past two years (some of these I’ve mentioned in previous Cougar Communications):
·
Create a class book. Each student/pair of
students creates a chapter reviewing material from the year. These books could
easily be used for next year’s SOL review sessions.
·
Make use of flip cameras and BYOD and have
students create skits, chapter/unit reviews, commercials, movie trailers, news
clips, etc.
·
Make use of Skype—host an expert, collaborate
with another class from around the world, compete versus a class from FHS or
LHS.
·
Cumulative assignments. As a history teacher, I
tried to take a thematic approach to my teaching (some themes: role of
geography, power, economic haves-have nots, etc.), so at the end of each year,
students were assigned a theme and created a project highlighting examples of
the theme from throughout the year.
·
Socratic seminars, talk shows or other
discussions. Have students research a topic (individually or in groups),
research it and then let them have at it. Furthermore you can assign students a
side or perspective to research. If you’re hosting a talk show the producer and
show host must become experts on both sides.
·
Give the students a FedEx Day. Essentially, a
FedEx Day is where you allow the students to take an idea of their own and run
with it. For more http://goo.gl/zWUCq (a
positive to having the SOLs so early, there’s still plenty of time for almost
everything)
I know the natural tendency is for us to lighten up after
the SOLs, but we can do so much more than pop a movie into the DVD player. Why
not stretch our students’ creativity, have them apply all what they’ve learned,
and allow them to inspire us?
If you’re doing something special in your class, please
remember to invite me. Thanks!
Administrative Notes
Thanks to everyone who has already submitted a positive
referral. If you haven’t submitted one for this go-around, please do so. Positive Referral Link: http://goo.gl/cZIXm7
Sunday: Senior
Scholarship Banquet, 3pm
Monday: Flip,
History 2nd/4th SOLs (different lunch schedule), Senior
Picnic
Tuesday: Flex,
History Make-ups
Wednesday:
Science 1st/3rd, different lunch schedule
Chorus and orchestra concert
Thursday: Flip,
Science 2nd/4th, different lunch schedule
Friday: Science
Make-ups
Quote of the Week:
Self-discipline means doing what you SHOULD do rather than
what you WANT to do.
What I’m Reading
